Apart from the type of leather the difference between Heirloom and Classic is in construction.
The Classic range emanates strong, reliable raw materials combined with traditional British craftsmanship and modern production techniques.
Features include top-grain, pigmented cow hides with an antiqued finish; hand-joined hardwood internal frame (dowelled, glued and screwed); solid beech bun feet stained in dark oak; serpentine steel spring system within the seat; interwoven webbing throughout the seat, back and arms; fibre cushion fillings as standard (optional feather-down); individually hand-nailed bronze studding.
An Heirloom needs to be handcrafted using traditional nineteenth-century techniques. This means more time-consuming methods and greater attention to detail.
Features include full aniline cow hides (hand-sewn, hand-coloured and wax finished); hand-joined hardwood internal frame (dowelled, glued and screwed); solid redwood (sapele or wenge) for visible parts of the frame and legs where applicable; a combination of serpentine steel coil and/or fish mouth spring systems for optimum support throughout seat, back and arms; layered stuffing with hand-sewn muslin pad base; duck down and duck feather seat filling as standard (optional non-allergic fibre); solid brass castors where applicable; individually hand-nailed antique gold studding.