Care Guide

Our Painted collections are composed of a blend of solid wood (pine, rubberwood or poplar) and MDF, so you can enjoy the quality and character of real wood under our stylish paint finishes. A combination of MDF, oak, and oak veneer is used to make the tops.

Our Oak ranges are made from sustainably sourced North American or European White Oak occasionally featuring veneers or manufactured panels to reduce wood movement and warping due to heat or moisture. As with all woods, both will have their own natural characteristics such as knots, slightly different shading of the wood, natural medullary rays, small cracks and variations in the grain. This shouldn’t be interpreted as a defect or fault in your furniture. Every piece is handmade, so no two items will ever look identical.

Our Sintered Stone collection is a durable material that can withstand high temperatures, is waterproof and weatherproof. As sintered stone is non-porous, is resistant to mould, mildew and bacteria, the hygienic benefits make it a great choice for any home. It is also stain-proof, easy to clean, food safe and hard to scratch, chip or damage.

Because they indicate where branches had developed on the tree from which your furniture was crafted, knots are especially fascinating. They are completely natural, and since all trees have branches, it’s very likely that your item will have a knot somewhere.

Medullary rays, which signify rapid growth, are a natural pattern in the timber indicating high quality wood and are an important part of the tree’s growth and development. They move materials, including water and nutrients, from the tree’s core to its outer edges. Additionally, by distributing stress and promoting the growth of new cells, they aid in stabilising the tree.

As every tree grows and matures at a different rate, every piece of wood has a distinct wood grain. This produces variation in the grain’s thickness as well as its light and dark hues. These variations, also referred to as growth rings, are nature’s method of displaying growth patterns and are not a fault.

This sideboard is a great representation of the different types of wood patterns, grains and rays you may find in your furniture and makes each piece unique.

It is not unusual for wooden furniture to have an odour for a while after having been removed from packaging that has protected it since manufacture.  This odour may be related to the processes used in manufacturing such as wax and lacquer coats, stains and paints or the wood itself.  Any odour will dissipate over time and, if a problem to you, may well be aided by opening a window in the room.

It is best to avoid placing your furniture near to heat sources such as radiators. The temperature needs to be controlled as when exposed to extreme changes in temperatures, the furniture will expand and contract. Added moisture may cause the panels in your furniture to move slightly, so adequate ventilation should be provided to minimise this.
Natural light will, over a period of time, slightly alter the colour of your furniture; this is just part of the natural ageing process. To reduce this effect, we recommend protecting your furniture from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Always use coasters and placemats when placing hot drinks and food onto your furniture.
Never use chemicals such as bleach or any abrasive materials to clean the furniture. For the same reason, never use all-purpose cleaning sprays such as the kind used on kitchen counters or children’s furniture.
Some items of furniture are very heavy and awkward to lift. We recommend that you have two people to lift these items such as tables, chests and wardrobes. Do not drag the units as this could lead to damage.

When cleaning, always try a test patch first. If you are unsure as to whether the item you are cleaning is suitable for our instructions, take professional cleaning advice first.

Painted furniture is easier to clean than solid wood furniture (for cleaning guidance for the oak part of your painted furniture, please refer to the lacquer/waxed sections). Every week, dust or wipe clean with a dry clean cloth, or a microfibre cloth. Make sure you don’t leave any water spots on the surface as this could leave permanent marks when dried.

Lacquered furniture is finished with a stain and then a lacquer topcoat is applied giving the furniture a glossy finish. The lacquer seals the wood, without stopping it breathing as it only covers the outer facing surface of the wood. It offers a small degree of protection from liquid, hot cups and plates but we strongly advise that mats and coasters are used and spills are cleaned off as quickly as possible with a dry cloth, to prevent any damage to your furniture. Constant water contact will wear down the lacquer, causing dull areas to develop and, over time, can cause veneers to lift. Lacquered furniture can be wiped down with a lightly damp cloth if it gets dirty but should be dried off immediately afterwards. It can be dusted with a soft cloth and polished using a natural furniture polish.

Waxed furniture is finished in the same way as lacquered however a wax is applied as the topcoat instead of a lacquer. Wax does not offer the same protection as lacquer, the wood is not sealed and can take on elements from its surrounding area, such as smoke from an open fire. Damage will occur if placing hot cups or plates on the surface without the use of mats and coasters. Spills will absorb into the wood so spillages must be cleaned off as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of damage. You should dust your furniture regularly with a dry, soft cloth. NEVER wipe waxed furniture with a damp cloth as this may remove the wax coating.
Waxed furniture needs to be waxed periodically depending on the wear and use it receives. A top on a chest of drawers will have regular use so would benefit from a monthly wax. A dining table with daily use would benefit from waxing twice a month, however, you would only need to wax the tops so it’s not as labour intensive as you may think. It is advised to wax the whole unit every six to twelve months. By waxing your furniture regularly, this hydrates and keeps the colour sharp. If you don’t wax your furniture, it may fade and possibly start to split in places.

Mattress fillings may settle over the first few weeks or months. Do not worry if hollows appear in the sleeping areas of your mattress leaving a central area of unsettled fillings. This is caused by the fillings compacting under your body weight. Compression through use over time is perfectly normal and not a fault with the product.
By following the turning and rotating instructions below, this will help to create an even filling settlement and compression over the mattress surface.
Regular Turn Mattress: Turn over and rotate your mattress once a week for the first three month and then once a month thereafter to ensure longevity.
No Turn Mattress: Rotate your mattress once a week for the first three months, then every 3 months thereafter to ensure even settlement across the surface of the mattress.
Zip & Link Mattresses: These type of mattress should be unzipped, turned and rotated together so that labels are always at the same end of the bed and the zips are aligned correctly.

To prevent discolouration or marking of your mattress, we strongly recommend the use of a good quality mattress protector as they not only protect your new mattress but also help strengthen the guarantee that comes with it. Avoid using a plastic sheet as this will lead to damage through condensation. Any staining will almost certainly void your guarantee.
We advise airing your mattress at least once a week by turning back the bed linen to allow air to circulate around and through the mattress.

Wipe leather (or bonded leather) down regularly with a clean dry cloth. Avoid the build up of dust as in time this will attack the integrity of the surface finish.
Vacuum dust and debris from the furniture’s crevices.
For leather, apply a leather conditioner once a year, follow the product instructions carefully.
Clean spills immediately with a dry cloth. Avoid soaking in water or soap or using any cleaning products not designed specifically for leather.
Small scratches in the leather may be buffed using a clean microfibre cloth.

Take care when positioning furniture. Light in general, especially direct sunlight, will affect the colour of fabrics over time.
Wear of your new sofa may be accelerated by dust and dirt. Be sure to vacuum at least once a week.
Avoid sitting in the same place all the time. To even the wear, try to alternate your sitting position if you can.
In the event of a spillage, blot the affected area with kitchen roll. Do not rub as this will make it worse. Seek specialist cleaning advice and be sure to inform them of the cause of the stain.