Re: In Praise of the Good DR... Collie!... and PLEASE HELP ME SELECT MY LR!
My head is going to swell, Mark....
I think it really comes down to budget when you make your selections. There are significant price variances on the hides that will affect the final price and you have to temper that into your family budget. For example, when I was in my 30's I would buy Married Cover as I had no money to spend. In my 40's I'd buy GR 1, maybe GR 2 as I had kids and college on the horizon. Now I'm in my late 50's one kid is graduated and I'm going to get what I want - GR 4. You have to buy in your financial comfort zone and temper that with the usable lifespan on a given piece which in H&M is typically 30 years or so. I fully understand and appreciate not wanting to spend too much...and on the other hand the only pieces I don't really like in my house are my leather ones I bought in my 30's because they have the cheap leathers on them and yet they won't die so we still use them.
If I were buying a 2038NB Austin for myself the leather would be Capri Harness without a doubt, "A" nail and Belgian Chocolate Finish. Extra firm Back cushions. Standard seat (not ultra down). # 8131 ottoman to match.
When in the H&M leathers, use about 15% every time you step up a grade in the hides. That's a good average.
All leather is split because its too thick otherwise. The upper half of the split is what will be used for the cover, so its called "TOP GRAIN". The lower part is called 'the Splits" and made into suedes or sometimes used on upholstery sides and backs, but it lacks the cellulose bond strength of the top grain is should not be used in stress areas as it won't hold up well. All the furniture I have in my store is Top Grain.
Full Top Grain simply means its an aniline hide with the original grain left intact. Top Grain is for Painted leathers (Finished, Protected, Pigmented) where the real grain has been sanded away to smooth the hide and then the grain pattern is embossed back into the leather during the finish process.
GR5 is mostly embossed and specialty leathers.
See under the LEATHER section for H&M cushion core options and core descriptions.
You can alter nails or leave them off altogether if you like. Or do funky patterns with them... your only limitation is your imagination.
Sorry, no written quotes on H&M. You can call the store for pricing. 703-360-6399.
Last edited by drcollie; 11-28-2013 at 12:15 PM.
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
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