FAQs

TEAK
Teak is a superb luxury hardwood for furniture making because it stands up extremely well to moisture exposure and resists warping, cracking if seasoned correctly, and naturally resists decay and rot. This also makes it an ideal timber for outdoor and semi-outdoor furniture. When used outdoors teak furniture will benefit from more regular cleaning and periodic restoration of the applied finish. We recommend you use a specialist to restore the finish, or contact us to arrange it

Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your furniture looks good for years to come:

• Wood needs a regular rub-down and dust off with a soft cloth. 
• Occasional wiping with a mild, wood-friendly detergent solution will help remove built-up dust and dirt. 
• Remove spills from your wooden product straight away using a clean, damp cloth and then dry immediately with a lint-free rag.
• Changes in atmospheric temperature and humidity make all timber expand or contract a little. You might find drawer movements getting a bit stiff, or slight wobbles on the surface of a table. This will usually settle down over time.
• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight or heat which can stain, discolour, crack or warp the timber.
• Avoid using any cleaning product or polish containing silicone, oils or solvents as it can spoil the finish over time and damage the surface of the wood.
• Avoid dragging furniture when moving it. It will cause damage to the joints and your floor.
• Avoid using your furniture in ways that would cause stress or damage to the parts.
• For scratches, dents and splits avoid using chemicals or glues to try to restore. Small marks and splits are a normal feature of all natural wooden furniture and will only add to the character of the piece. If you need to repair or restore, we recommend using a specialist, or contact us to arrange it.

Marble and granite are naturally porous materials and as such are vulnerable to liquids and fine dirt penetration. We apply a protective coating to the stone during manufacturing, which can help to resist (but not prevent) liquids seeping into the stone.

Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your marble and granite looks good for years to come:

• Hot water and a cloth or sponge are all you need to clean spills and maintain the stone’s surface on a regular basis.
• Stubborn marks can be removed by scrubbing with a little dish soap and rinsing with a clean cloth. Over use of soapy water can cause build-up even if you rinse well and dull your stone’s sheen. So, regular use of dish soap for cleaning granite countertops is not recommended.
• Avoid generic cleaning products including bleach, degreasers and common household cleaners that you buy at your local stores. They contain chemicals that will degrade the applied sealer leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining.
• Acidic substances like wine, coffee, fruit juices, tomato sauce and sodas could potentially stain the surface. It is important to wipe away any spills immediately with soap and water.
• Stone is particularly vulnerable to oils and solvents. Don't store liquids or toiletries directly on the surface. Even when sealed, a substance that remains on the surface for an extended period may cause a stain.
• If your stone is chipped, cracked or heavily stained, we recommend using a professional restoration or replacement service, or contact us to arrange this for you.

Although all of our glass is tempered for extra toughness and safety, please handle with care and be gentle! Avoid impacting the side or edges of the glass, as this is where it is most vulnerable. Clean it regularly, spraying with a mixture of water and a little dish soap will suffice for most cleaning purposes, wiping with a soft sponge, followed by a soft, non-abrasive cleaning cloth to buff it dry. 

Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your glass looks good for years to come:

• Extreme temperatures can cause thermal shock, which can in turn lead to stress and shattering. Use tablecloths, placemats or coasters to protect the glass from hot or cold items.
• Don’t sit or stand on glass surfaces
• Don’t ignore chips and small cracks. A chip or even a scratched surface can weaken the glass and subsequently cause the entire piece to shatter.
• Do not strike the glass with hard or pointed items.
• Avoid generic cleaning products household cleaners that contain abrasives; they can scratch and etch the surface of the glass.
• Avoid direct, prolonged sunlight. The extreme temperature variations could cause it to shatter.Moving/pushing things with rough surfaces across the glass can cause scratches that cannot be removed.
• It is almost impossible to remove scratches from the surface of tempered glass. If you would like to restore your glass to its original finish, it will need to be replaced. Please contact us to arrange this.

Producing rattan out of locally grown cane is a definition of sustainability; it is totally natural and renewable and as such will change over time with use. We do not apply any finish to our rattan, opting to allow the remarkable strength of this material to develop with time, and avoiding flaking or degrading of applied finishes that you see in other furniture. Rattan will in time change colour depending on how and where it is used.

Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your rattan looks good for years to come:

• For day-to-day cleaning use a soft brush to remove dust and dirt from the rattan.
• Clean gently using soapy water and a sponge. It is ok to make the rattan quite wet in order to remove dust and dirt. After cleaning dry it well, preferably in an open area with plenty of airflow.
• Rattan is susceptible to mildew if it is left in a damp environment without cleaning for some time. We recommend regular cleaning to prevent mildew, however if you need to treat it we suggest using a specialist anti-mildew product.
• Over time rattan seats and back panels will stretch a little, to show the shape and contours of use. This is normal so do not worry. If the panel continues to stretch, there could be broken or loose strands in the weave. These need to be replaced right away to avoid further damage.

We use solid brass, stainless steel and steel in many of our designs. Whilst these materials are extremely durable, they do need some care to keep them in top condition over time. For brass and stainless steel we do not apply any coatings or finish; this means the metal is in a very natural state and will age gracefully. Brass can change from bright gold to almost black, depending on how and where it is used. This patina builds up over time. Stainless steel does not change quickly, however you still need to keep it clean to prevent discolouration or corrosion. For any mild steel parts where a paint finish is required, we have chosen the best finishes available. Our finishes are durable and need little maintenance other than periodic cleaning.

Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your furniture looks good for years to come:

• For everyday cleaning and care, stay clear of metal polishes. They are very strong and can damage the natural patina of the metal, especially brass.
• Most dirt can be cleaned with soapy water. Wipe with a clean cloth and buff with a lint-free rag if needed.
• Salts and oils from your hands and body can discolour metal surfaces over time however this is an unavoidable part of using your furniture, especially handles and catches. Fingerprints and smears over time will build into a wonderful patina which actually helps to protect the metal and adds character to your piece.
• If you notice any rust developing it is important to clean it right away. We suggest using natural lemon juice and a cloth, sponge or soft brush to gently remove the rust. Wipe the area with plenty of clean water afterwards and dry it right away.
• If you prefer your brass or stainless steel to be ‘perfectly clean and bright’ you may decide to use a metal polishing product. Take care that this does not contact any other material such as wood, fabric or leather as it can stain and damage them.
• Applying a little beeswax with a soft cloth after cleaning metal surfaces can help to reduce the colour change over time.

Genuine leather is very durable if you take care of it. Much like timber, leather responds to its surroundings; the porous nature allows moisture in the leather to evaporate or penetrate, reducing or increasing its flexibility.

Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your furniture looks good for years to come:

• The best way to keep leather in top condition is to use it; when the leather moves, stretches and changes temperature, it retains all it’s natural characteristics.
• Clean your leather only when it is necessary; over cleaning can lead to change in colour and texture.
• Clean leather with a damp cloth - water is usually enough for most dirt to be removed. If the leather is very dirty, use a little soapy water and a sponge to gently blot (never rub) the surface.Spills need to be removed right away. USe a dry cloth to blot the liquid away.
• Leather is vulnerable to certain types of mildew, especially if it is in a damp environment. So you need to keep the leather clean to prevent this.
• To clean suede leather, the same things apply. After the cleaned area has dried, use a suede brush to restore the texture of the suede.
• For persistent stains or marks, seek a professional cleaning and restoration service.

Cotton and linen fabrics are colourful and durable and with the correct approach to cleaning and care can stay looking smart for many years. Follow these simple guidelines:

• Dust is one of the main reasons for causing a fabric to look tired and old. By brushing or hoovering your sofa you can remove the dust and dirt and bring the fabric and colour back to life.
• If your furniture is fitted with removable covers, please don't put them in your washing machine. They should only be cleaned in situ by a specialist cleaning service.
• All types of fabrics can be damaged by prolonged exposure to sunlight, this is an inevitable fact of However, keeping the cushions in the sun for an hour will kill all the germs and bacterias.
• May get damaged and stained due to weather conditions. Avoid direct sunlight as it’ll get discolored,dry in partial shade.
• If washing a natural fabric, never wring it to squeeze out the water to avoid permanent creases.
• Always press your fabric keeping the iron in medium to low heat.
• Furniture with fixed upholstery should be cleaned periodically by a specialist cleaning service.

The high temperature fired stoneware body is tough enough for regular use and is dishwasher, oven, freezer and microwave safe.

• Most stains can be removed with water and ordinary, gentle dishwashing detergent.
• For more stubborn stains, a dab of concentrated detergent can be effective. Alternatively soak the item overnight in water and detergent before cleaning.
• Always wipe the object afterwards with a clean cloth. 
• Avoid using cleaning products which are abrasives since these can scratch nor etch the surface of the stoneware, making it dull.
• Some types of utensils can leave marks on the surface of the stoneware.They can usually be removed by scrubbing with a soft brush.
• Avoid over-stacking items when storing as the weight can lead to items being damaged.