Caring for your furniture

Now that you've taken delivery of your furniture, we 
want you to be able to enjoy it for years to come . . .

Rest assured that all our furniture is built for everyday use but we recommend following a few simple care instructions to keep it looking tip-top
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Caring for fabrics. . . our definitive do's and don'ts

All our upholstery and furniture is designed to be easy to live with (no need to ban the children or pets!) so you don't have to go to great lengths to keep it looking its best.

Bear in mind that our linen fabrics sometimes appear to have slight knots or knobbles, which can be seen as thicker, raised threads on the fabric surface. These are known as 'slubs' and are a natural characteristic. They are not imperfections but a reminder that nature does not create perfectly even fibres – and they help give the fabric an organic, tactile look and feel.

Our upholstered items are not pre-treated, so we strongly recommend spraying them with fabric protector before using them (see Caring for fabrics, below).

If the worst happens and there's a spillage or stain you can't deal with yourself, it's best to consult a professional upholstery cleaner.


WE RECOMMEND WE DON'T ADVISE

√ Treating new upholstered furniture with a fabric protector as soon as possible. Our preferred brand is Scotchgard, which is available in most DIY stores. Instructions may vary, so always test a small area first before full application.


√  Vacuuming regularly – dust can build up quickly and make fabrics look grubby so use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner to keep your upholstery clean. 


√ Cleaning fabric immediately if a spillage occurs to avoid permanent staining. Use a clean, dry, absorbent cotton cloth to blot up the spill. If the stain is still visible, we recommend professional cleaning of the item.


√ Plumping up cushions after use and turning them on a regular basis so that they don't lose their shape.

X Sitting on upholstered furniture if you are wearing clothing with transferable dyes, such as blue jeans, as the dye could transfer onto the upholstered furniture.


X Positioning upholstered furniture in direct sunlight or too close to a heat source, as this could cause bleaching.

Caring for velvet upholstery

Gently vacuum with a special upholstery attachment or using a soft hand brush once a week. This will remove any dust or fuzz that has formed on the surface of the fabric and prevent displacement of the pile over time.

If you don’t have an attachment, place a pair of tights over the nozzle – this will work just as well. When vacuuming or brushing, do so in the direction of the pile.

If you spill something on your velvet chair or ottoman, do not attempt to clean it with water or rub it with a cloth. Liquids can stain velvet easily and rubbing may force the spill deeper into the fibres. Simply blot the surface with a dry, highly absorbent cloth, taking care to avoid rubbing or putting pressure on the fabric.

Once you’ve blotted the surface, just air dry the fabric or use a hairdryer without heat at a safe distance to lightly dry the area.

If your spill is more severe, we recommend consulting a professional cleaner.

 

Looking after wood. . . our definitive do's and don'ts

All our weathered oak dining tables have been treated with a high-performance, water-based acrylic sealant to protect the wood against spills and marks. This is virtually unnoticeable but it does mean that our dining tables will easily withstand normal wear and tear.

That said, mopping up spills quickly and taking good care of the wood will help it to keep looking pristine for years to come.

 

WE RECOMMEND WE DON'T ADVISE

 √ Using coasters and placemats to help prevent water marks and stains.


√ Using heat-resistant table mats for hot dishes, etc.


√ Removing spillages immediately using a clean cloth.


√ Wiping the surface of the table with a clean, soft damp cloth after each use. 

X Sitting on arms of chairs or leaning back on the chair legs as this could loosen the joints and lead to permanent damage. 


X Using abrasive cleaning products, such as scouring powders or cream cleaners, vinegar, lemon juice or acidic products, as these can cause damage to table tops.


X Using furniture polishes as they can damage the protective layer. 


X Leaving liquid spillages to soak into the wood as this may cause permanent staining.


X Placing anything hot directly on wood as this could mark it.

 A final word about wood

It’s important to point out that our weathered oak is a natural material. Each piece of carefully sourced timber has its own characteristics and grain, and our finishes are designed to highlight its uniqueness and beauty. 

Wood continues to react to its environment, so don't be surprised if you see a little movement as our furniture settles into your home and responds to its new conditions. 

This is a natural process as the wood dries out evenly. It may expand or shrink as the temperature and humidity levels in your home change through the year, particularly if there's a sudden warm or cold spell. Such movements can occasionally lead to small cracks. This is to be expected and is not a fault.  

All the nitty gritty! 

You can print out and read the full care instructions (should you have the time and the inclination to do so), plus our full guarantee below. 

We would like to reassure customers that our Fox Terrier Casper was not under duress to be photographed and actively enjoys his modelling role. Any excuse to roll over on his tummy for a scratch!

 

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