Looking for living room sofa and considering leather. I now have a white slipcovered sofa that is constantly dirty, so hard to wash, I hate it.

I thought leather could work, was looking for a sand color but those aren't as durable as a harder leather, are they? And I want a modern look.

Biggest problem is people coming in from the beach with lotions on them and getting on sofas. How would leather stand up to this, and which kind of leather is best?

I've tried getting on Duane's forum but my login is never accepted. I want a very deep, modern sofa and most of H&Ms look traditional.

House is in northern california, Santa Cruz.

Hollie

colinsmith...I've just had it with washing that slipcover and can't wrangle it back on anymore. I also have slipcovers in another room that are so tight they can't be taken off for washing (Pottery Barn).

When I've had slipcovers made they cost me as much as a new sofa would cost.

Hollie

So, purchase your upholstery accordingly, no springs, elastic webbing only, any exposed nails or staples will rust, use foam cores design for quick dry, usually referred to as dry-fast foams, leather is usually unaffected by the salt or moisture, except leather doesnt breath well so moisture will build up in the furniture more so than fabric.

I bought a cheap Dacor hard leather set from BJ's Wholesale for $1000 in 2005 for my beach house. We had just purchased the house and I couldn't afford more at the time. Considering I got a sofa, loveseat, and chair I figured it would not last too long but would give me time to save some money. It in no way matches the comfort or style of my 2 bradington young soft leather sofas at home (which 3 friends also bought after sitting on).

BUT - IT HAS ENDURED BEAUTIFULLY. Hard use? You bet. I never fussed over the stuff, my kids and friends sit sandy, wet and lotioned. I have 3 boys who are HARD on furniture and who love to bring their friends to the beach house (last weekend we had 19 boys there so both the sofa and love seat were slept on). Any way - it works. My sister's newer white slip covered sofa is trashed. When this set goes (and I think the frames will go before the leather) I will get BY but I don't know about the soft leather.

I would suggest you find the leather sofa you love - get some swatchs from the manufacturer, and rub them with water, sand and lotion to see how they hold up. Bradington Young sent me samples when I was shopping. Good Luck!