Dream tobacco vs. Berkshire tobacco

[Cind11]

I will be buying a September sofa and have it narrowed down to these two leather choices. I have scoured the forum for info. and pictures of the two leathers. I did the see all the H & M descriptions. Anyone care to comment who might have one of these leathers. Thanks!

[drcollie]

Sure!

Dream is smooth and very consistent, a finished leather that presents well, but doesn't have a lot of interesting leather nuances.

Berkshire is a pebbly-textured leather than has more high-low shading than Dream.

[Cind11]

Ah, thanks drcollie. I have all the H & M leather descriptions from this site but didn't realize Dream is a finished leather. (it doesn't say that) Berkshire is aniline it looks like? (at least according to the back of the leather swatch I have) Hmm, any thoughts as to which makes up a nicer sofa? Thanks again.

[drcollie]

Berkshire is a protected leather as well. It's a thicker cut leather than Dream. I have Berkshire on my wife's office chair at home and its just OK, neither it or Dream are my preferred leathers in GR 2, however.

[Cind11]

I think you like Aspen and Antelope for Grade II? Antelope is apparently now a grade IV leather so out of my price range. I did look at Aspen saddle which I liked in a small sample but did not like in the "big" leather swatch at the furniture store. This is all quite confusing haha! I couldn't find any samples of Kipling. Too overwhelming! Berkshire is protected as is Dream but are they both aniline leathers? (the Berkshire sample I have says it is) The Dream doesn't say other than it is protected.

[drcollie]

I think you want to go...here:

http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...r-Descriptions

[Cind11]

I have looked at all those descriptions when I scoured your entire site a couple days ago haha. But under Dream and Berkshire the desciptions say protected but not whether they are aniline or finsihed leathers. This is what I am unclear about.

[pstef]

We have an Austin High back in Berkshire tobacco and love the leather! It's exactly what we were looking for. Of course everyone has their own needs and taste. We didnt want a delicate hide that we would be afraid to use.

[Cind11]

Ah thanks, pstef. On the sample of Berkshire I have, there is a mark from barbed wire (?) I am guessing. Does your sofa have any noticeable marks? Does the leather feel fairly soft?

[drcollie]

An Aniline that is 'protected' is not considered a pure aniline, then it becomes a semi-aniline (hybrid). Berkshire leather color is built up from coats of transparent dyes then has a protective topcoat so its not technically an aniline, its a Semi-Aniline. Dream is a fully pigmented leather so its 'painted' if you will.