Cheers for all the replies. That leather sofa looks well good hammer.

Dont worry about sounding patronising Jay, the lessons best learned should be those that hit home hardest I guess.I did start off just using lights and using a two light set up, but it gave me the same dull grey I didnt want..Actually it does sound a bit dumb now i'm writing this. I have lee laniers advanced lighting and texturing book, and I know about three point lighting for naturalistic set ups and what not from that. Not loads, but I understand the concepts. Ive gone with the physical sun set up and adjusted the textures to suit and ive got some renders im fairly pleased with. I will say, I disagree in part about it not being anything to do with the materials because surely adjusting the diffuse/eccentricity/spec roll off settings could all make a difference? although for sure is not an all out cure. I will dig my Lanier book out next time, and see if that helps. If not i'll hunt around for tutorials or maybe the book you suggest.