Drex, I just heard back from the buyer at Macy's. This leather set is:

Semi-aniline dyed leather ~ Leathers which have been both dyed throughout and have a finish on the surface are referred to as semi-aniline dyed. This type of leather has become more popular in recent years because it incorporates much of the softness and feel of fully aniline dyed leather with the protective benefits of surface finishing. Semi-aniline dyed leathers can be compared to a painted surface which has been well primed before the finish coating is applied. By dyeing the leather to a base coloration before the final coating is applied, a very even coloration is produced with only a thin layer of finish. Thus, the leather remains softer because it is not necessary to apply a thick finish coating. Following the color coating, a clear protecting finish is applied as on the machine finished leathers. Semi-aniline dyed leathers are available in a wide range of colors because they are not limited to the shades achievable by dyeing alone. Semi-aniline dyed leathers are also desirable because small nicks and scratches are hidden by the base coloration of the hide.

If the leather is to be dyed, it is usually done in a vat as part of the tanning process. Aniline dyes in various colors may be added to the drums at this stage, while the hide is absorbent. If correctly done, aniline dyes are permanent and will not rub off or "crock" after the leather is in use. Dyeing should not be confused with pigmentation of adding color to the surface of the leather. Aniline dyeing lets the color permeate the hide so that it goes all the way through the leather (i.e: the color on the back of the hide is the same as the color on the front).

Now that I see the name a second time, we have a showroom here. I've been in before and still thought not much of it.

Ah, yeah, we both wear pants, not speedos. ;) Anyhow, she's the expert on furniture and I'll see what I can find out re: leather.....

We haven't had any problems with our Hancock & Moore leather sofas! Good luck!

So their showroom sucked? Nice furniture though ;)

I ordered this set yesterday after I confirmed that it was aniline dyed. It will be delivered this Friday :thumbup: . BTW, MD is the one that wears speedos :rofl: .

This post is frightening... What's next on the discussion table? Drapery? :confused:

J/K!

Maybe :dunno: The fact is that it pays to know the facts about what you are buying with respect to furniture. I made the mistake of buying my last leather set without doing the research, and it was "pigment dyed" leather. Pigment dyed leather is cheap stuff, and scratches in the leather stick out like a sore thumb, and it's not nearly as soft, and doesn't have that nice deep leather aroma like aniline leathers do. Maybe just maybe you learned something in this thread???? ;)

I did say J/K! :) If I told you I have a bean bag chair, would you hold that against me?

Actually I did have a bean bag chair left over from my college days, but every foam pellet in it had turned to dust.

I did learn alot from this thread. I do appreciate fine furniture. Honestly. I've actually been buying old Herman Miller and Charles Eames pieces, some in good shape others in shabby shape, and most of which are no longer catalogued or in production. I'm very fond of the whole atomic age/George Jetson era which is why I collect junk from the 50's and 60's.

Yeah, that SuperGreg is the perfect guy for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy!:rofl:

At least I have good taste! I like chicks, but I'd be more than happy to post one of your favorite Wicked Wangers tomorrow for you, just e-mail it to me :rolleyes: