Caring for Timber
Most pieces we sell are oil-finished, a natural finish that soaks into the timber rather than sitting on top of it, which is what gives it that soft, low-sheen look. Re-oiling now and then keeps it protected and looking the way it should, the guide below covers when and how.
Do
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth, following the grain
- Re-oil when the surface looks dry or pale, usually every six to twelve months
- Use coasters and placemats, and lift things rather than drag them
- Keep pieces out of direct sun and away from ducted heating vents
Don't
- Use silicone polishes on anything, ever
- Put hot dishes straight onto the surface
- Leave water sitting, even for a few minutes
- Build up wax over an oiled piece, because it has to be stripped off again before the next re-oil
Caring for Upholstery
Wool, boucle and velvet all behave a little differently, but the routine is the same for all of them. Vacuum, rotate, blot, and keep it out of the sun. Most of the damage we see comes from cleaning attempts gone wrong, not from everyday use.
Do
- Vacuum with the brush attachment, once a month is plenty
- Turn and plump the cushions so they wear evenly
- Blot spills straight away with a dry cloth, working from the outside in
- Keep it out of direct sun, which fades wool faster than anything else
Don't
- Rub at a stain, which drives it into the weave and lifts the pile
- Use bleach, spray cleaners, or anything sold for carpet
- Soak the fabric, because foam takes days to dry and can go mouldy inside
- Sit a piece against a heater or in front of a north-facing window to avoid fading
Caring for Leather
Most of the leather we use is aniline, which means it has no coating sealing the surface. It marks, it softens, and it darkens where people sit. That is not wear, and it is not a fault, it is the reason to choose it over anything sprayed with a protective finish. Where we use semi-aniline leather instead, it carries a light protective topcoat, more resistant to marking, with slightly less of that same raw character.
Do
- Wipe with a barely damp cloth, then dry it properly
- Condition twice a year with a quality leather cream
- Let it mark and darken naturally if it's aniline, that's the character developing, not damage
- Keep it a meter clear of heaters and out of direct sun
Don't
- Use soap, detergent, or anything containing ammonia
- Saturate the leather with water
- Use shoe polish, saddle soap or baby wipes
- Panic about a scratch, since most settle back in with conditioning
Caring for Brass & Metals
Brass, aluminium and chrome all age differently. The first decision is whether you want the original patina or a polish, because sixty years of even tarnish takes sixty years to come back once you have taken it off.
Do
- Decide between patina and polish, then stay with it
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth
- Dry thoroughly after any cleaning
- Wax lightly once polished, which slows the tarnish from returning
Don't
- Use steel wool, abrasives or a scouring pad
- Leave water sitting on the metal
- Combine metal cleaners, or start using a new one before the last is fully wiped off
- Start polishing unless you intend to keep doing it
