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DINING AND OCCASIONAL FURNITURE CARE GUIDE

Caring for your dining and occasional furniture

Helping you choose your furniture

Each natural element used in our occasional furniture range differs due to the wide variety of timbers, stone and manmade materials we choose to source. By using nature’s creations, every piece of furniture has a character of its own that tells the story of the material’s origin, from colour and graining to texture and feel. These materials come with their own unique qualities – timbers offer grain and colour variances alongside texture changes and knots. Stone furniture also has individual features that affect its colour and finish.

It’s important you know what to expect when choosing your dining room furniture, which is why we’ve put together some basic information on the types of materials and finishes we use. Please do ask for further advice if needed.

Types of finishes

  • Unfinished - Material left untreated, giving the most natural appeal. Furniture will be highly absorbent and susceptible to staining.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • Types of 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 their 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.

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

  • Ceramic - Usually made from a combination of clay, earthen elements, powders and water, then shaped and coloured. A ceramic table top is extremely strong, scratchresistant and easy to maintain.

  • Stone -The marble and stone within furniture we sell are natural materials and contain all the variations and unique colourings found in nature. It is not possible to control the occurrence of these characteristics, which will vary from piece to piece. Please note that stone 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 during manufacturing, and the seam between the stone and the fill can sometimes leave a notable transition. This is unavoidable, but does not sacrifice the stability of your furniture in any way. 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.

    • The dos and dont's

  • Do not place furniture near heat sources or air conditioning units.

  • Avoid changes in humidity.

  • Avoid rooms that may experience extreme temperature changes such as conservatories, as this can 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.

  • Do not 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.

  • 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 maintenance

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Dining chair upholstery can be lightly vacuumed or gently brushed to remove dust.

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