Horm Stories #32
Today, we want to introduce you to the world of high-quality materials for furniture, with a particular focus on leathers and hides.
You may not know that the term “cuoio” specifically refers to vegetable-tanned hides, while “leather” is a broader category that encompasses all materials derived from animal hides, including cuoio. Tanning is a complex process that requires specialized skills and a combination of traditional methods and modern technology to achieve a premium-quality final product. Through this process, leather becomes hygienic, breathable, durable, soft, and pleasant to the touch.
The main difference between cuoio and leather lies in the tanning method and the resulting characteristics of the material. Cuoio is usually vegetable-tanned using natural tannins extracted from plants, which gives it greater rigidity and strength. This makes it ideal for products requiring structure and long-lasting durability.
Leather, on the other hand, refers to all materials derived from animal hides, which can be tanned using various techniques, including chrome tanning, which results in a softer and more flexible material.
Before tanning, hides often undergo a process called splitting. The original hides, too thick for immediate use, are horizontally divided with a moving blade into three layers: the grain, obtained from the hair side of the animal; the split, taken from the flesh side; and the sub-split, the least premium layer, which still finds practical and economical uses in leather goods production.
Full-grain leather is among the most prized, retaining its natural beauty without the need for surface retouching. These hides are distinguished by their authentic and natural appearance. The advantages of full-grain leather are many: it improves over time, offers superior elasticity for complex workmanship, and delivers an exceptional aesthetic result.
Among the most refined leathers is nubuck, created from full-grain leather that has been sanded with fine abrasive techniques to achieve a soft, velvety texture and to remove minor surface imperfections.
In contrast, aniline leather is treated with soluble aniline dyes without added pigments, allowing the color to penetrate the leather completely while preserving its natural texture and material characteristics. Aniline leather retains the natural imperfections of the hide, such as scars, veins, and color variations, giving it an authentic and sophisticated look.
In the Horm product catalog, only high-quality hides such as these are used. This careful selection significantly enhances the final quality of each piece, elevating the environments where they are placed.
Choosing premium leather is not just an aesthetic decision—it is also about functionality and longevity. A sofa or armchair crafted from high-quality leather not only enhances the visual appeal of a space but also provides comfort and durability over time. Each piece becomes a testament to craftsmanship and attention to detail, making every space unique, refined, and timeless.
