GENERAL FURNITURE CARE & MAINTAINANCE GUIDE

HELPING YOU CHOOSE

Every natural element that is used in our furniture collections are different due to the wide variety of timbers and man made materials we choose to source. By using natural materials, each piece of furniture has a characteristic of their own, from colour and graining to texture and feel telling a story of the materials origin. Each material used comes with it's own unique character, timbers offer grain and colour variances alongside texture changes and knots. Stone furniture also has unique features affecting it's colour and finish.

It is important when making your choice of furniture you know what to expect, all of these features offer a unique look and durability, to help further with your understanding of what to expect we have produced some basic information on types of materials and finishes used today. Please do ask for further advice.

MATERIALS

WOOD

Wood is a naturally occurring product and part of its beauty is that no two pieces are the same. The depth, shade of colour and grain pattern vary from item to item. Solid timbers may experience movement and cracking throughout it's lifetime. Laminates - Synthetic coating on a stable substrate offering a durable and resistant finish. Foil - Printed finish on substrate creating a uniformed and durable finish.

LAMINATES

Synthetic coating on a stable substrate offering a durable and resistant finish. Foil - Printed finish on substrate creating a uniformed and durable finish.

VENEER

Top layer of timber adhered to a stable platform, colour and pattern repeat being quite uniform.

STONE

The marble and stone within furniture we sell are natural materials and contain all the variations and unique colouring found in nature. It is not possible to control the occurrence of these characteristics which will vary from piece to piece. Please note it can be very porous and therefore extra care should be taken to avoid spillages.

Stone comes in many different colours and each presents natural veining. Some of the open pores and veins may be filled in manufacturing and the seam between the stone and the fill can sometimes leave a notable transition which is unavoidable but does not sacrifice the stability of your furniture in any way and some unfilled holes may also still remain.

Due to the natural weight of stone products it is important to ensure stone furniture is dismantled when moving and that the goods are always assembled correctly.

FINISHES

UNFINISHED

Material left untreated giving the most natural appeal, furniture will be highly absorbent and susceptible to staining.

VENEER

Top layer of timber adhered to a stable platform, colour and pattern repeat being quite uniform.

OILED AND WAXED

Furniture treated with a fine coating of oil or wax offering a light protection, re-application of finish must be applied on a regular basis to maintain the protection and aesthetic look.

LACQUERED

Sealed finish using lacquer coatings offering a more resilient finish to scratches, heat and moisture, should the finish be damaged in any way a professional repair is required.

PAINTED

Substrate coated in a pigment based finish offering a good degree of uniformity and protection.

CARING FOR YOUR FURNITURE

• Do not place furniture near heat sources or air conditioning units.
• Avoid changes in humidity.
• Avoid rooms that may cause extreme temperature change such as conservatories, as this may cause excessive timber movement and cracking.
• Always leave a gap behind units to allow air to circulate.
• Protect furniture from strong or prolonged sunlight.
• Avoid marking furniture with sharp objects.
• Carefully lift your furniture, never drag or push it.
• Never lift glass tables by their tops.
• Heavy furniture will leave indentations in carpets and may mark hard flooring if it is dragged across.
• Do not rock backwards on dining chairs.
• Always follow fitting instructions for wall-fixing, glass surfaces and shelves.
• Tall cabinets may need fixing to the wall and most items are marked accordingly.
• We would recommend periodically checking fixtures and fittings on your furniture.
• Uneven floors could give the impression that doors of wall units and wardrobes are out of alignment, so be aware of this and compensate if necessary by adjusting the hinges or packing a corner to level the item.
• Protect all surfaces with felt under-cloths and place mats.
• Take care not to drag crockery across any surface or to put heavy items on the surface without protection.
• Don't overstrain drop flap stays and hinges or place heavy items onto glass shelves.
• Assume that all furniture will not resist water, chemicals or heat.
• Natural wax finishes are porous and stain easily.
• The colour of real wood matures with exposure to light, so it is important to move ornaments regularly and expose table leaves to avoid noticeable colour differences occurring.
• Avoid wiping oil or wax finishes with a wet cloth as this may raise the grain.

SCRATCHES

• With wood products the best way to deal with scratches is to employ the services of a professional polisher. Please ask for details.
• High gloss finishes will display fine surface scratches with use.

REGULAR AND EASY CARE & MAINTAINANCE

• Gently dust your furniture and polish with a soft, lint-free buffing cloth.
• Never use silicon or wax polishes that leave residue on surfaces.
• Only use good quality wax-free proprietary furniture polish, where recommended by the manufacturer.
• Disconnect any light fittings from the mains before changing bulbs.
• Dining chair upholstery can be lightly vacuumed or gently brushed to remove dust.
• Blot up any spills immediately.
• Do not try to wash or rub spills and do not use detergents.
• Marks can be removed with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
• Always follow your manufacturer's cleaning instructions.
• Clean upholstery at least once a year and before soiling becomes ingrained.