Product Care
PRODUCT CARE
CARING FOR YOUR WOOD FURNITURE
Just as trees in the forest are not the same, each individual piece of furniture has markings that will differ from catalog and showroom samples.
Mineral streaks, grain variations, knots, small pits, and other marks of nature are normally found in fine woods and are not considered defects. Variations cannot be controlled or corrected and will even occur among pieces within a set.
On some items we intentionally dent, discolor and scratch the wood to create an aged appearance. Techniques used include physically marking the surface with a blunt instrument, marking with darker stain and splattering with stain. An aged appearance is sometimes achieved by rubbing pumice or a similar medium into wood pores. The number and nature of distress marks are a matter of design by the manufacturer and cannot be changed, nor is it an option that can be deleted.
DOOR WARPING
It is important to properly close the doors and not allow them to hang open. Long periods of varying humidity can also produce warping. High humidity causes expansion; low humidity causes contraction. The client is responsible to keep doors closed when not in use, as well as to keep a reasonably stable level of humidity in the home to avoid warping problems.
LEVELING AND SETTLING
Over time, the foundation of your home settles and floors can become uneven. This can cause furniture to sit unevenly, or cause uneven doors on armoires. If your furniture does not have a built-in leveling device, a shim or two will help to level a piece when needed.
MATCHING FINISHES
Most wood pieces absorb stain differently. Batches of stains and paints can vary slightly over time. Hand applied stains, paints and glazes can vary slightly. Finishes change as they age. Because of these issues, we can not guarantee a 100% perfect stain match from item to item in a new order. Minor variations will always be present, regardless of cost.
NORMAL CHANGES OVER TIME
Wood finishes will change in appearance as they are used. Items with low sheen finishes tend to develop an increased sheen over time. Slight variations in appearance and the fit of joints and seams will result from the normal expansion and contraction of wood as it responds to climatic changes in the home. Many wood species darken or redden with age. White painted finishes tend to yellow with age. These changes in tone, fit, finish, and texture are normal signs of aging and are not covered by any warranty.
RECLAIMED WOOD
Reclaimed lumber is collected from old structures and used in making new pieces of furniture. Each board will vary in surface texture and color shading. There may be natural splits and cracks visible. Holes where nails, bolts or hinges were applied may be open and may exhibit signs of rust around them. Large holes may be “plugged” with a wood insert. All of these features add to the unique individual character of the furniture and are not considered defects.
The majority of our offerings are left in their natural state and have a light application of wax to offer some surface protection. A few of these pieces have either a simple stain applied or we have opted to paint them and then strip the paint offering a unique aged appearance.
If, for example, red wine is spilled on a reclaimed table top, it must be cleaned immediately to avoid staining. Using a clean dry cloth and blotting, not rubbing, the spill will usually work.
SOLID WOOD
Solid wood furniture is susceptible to changes in humidity. It contracts in a dry environment and expands in a moist environment, creating season cracks, minor warping, and inconsistencies in alignment of doors, drawers, and table tops. These are normal changes that should not be cause for alarm. These changes do not affect the structural integrity of the piece and cannot be corrected. Maintaining proper humidity during winter months is recommended.
WHITE WASHED FINISHES
White washed finishes will enhance knots and grain variations naturally found in the wood.
AVOID EXTREME TEMPERATURES
Extreme heat from radiators or heat ducts can cause warping or splitting as well as buckling or delaminating of veneers.
CLEANING
Dust lightly using a soft terry cloth with the grain of the wood. To remove minor stains or caked on dirt, wipe with a soft damp cloth. Oily stains can be removed using a cloth damp with a mixture of warm water and Murphy's soap. Dry the piece thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. To avoid scratching, you should blot, rather than wipe spills.
DAMAGE PREVENTION
Apply adhesive felt glides to lamps and similar objects before placing them on tables. When serving hot food, always use place mats under the plates and hot pads under the serving containers. Do not set synthetics, rubber or plastics on the wood finish as they might contain chemicals that will damage the finish. Do not leave newspapers or magazines on wood as the ink can bleed onto the finish and into the wood.
POLISHING
Do not use silicone waxes, lemon oil, or other oily polishes. They can attract dust and grit, causing scratches in the finish. We recommend Furniture Cream for standard lacquered wood finishes once a year or less.
SUN EXPOSURE
Overexposure to sunlight can adversely affect wood finishes, causing cracking and bleaching that are difficult and costly to repair.
TOUCH-UP
Minor damage may be touched up with a furniture touch-up pencil, which can be purchased through our service department or at a hardware showroom. Buy a set of light, medium and dark markers, and start with the lightest color touch-up marker. Contact client services if further repairs are necessary.
OTHER TIPS
If perfume or nail polish remover is spilled, do not blot it off. The lacquer which has been softened by the chemicals should return to normal when the liquid has totally evaporated. Allow the area to dry, rub it with a fine automotive polishing compound, then apply a fresh coat of polish.
If candle wax drops on your wood finished surface, hold an ice cube to the wax to harden it. Blot up the water and use a dull plastic spatula to remove the wax without touching the wood. Gently scrape away any remaining wax, and rub the area with furniture polish to replace the protective coating.
CARING FOR YOUR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE
CUSHIONS
Our cushions are designed for long-lasting support. They are all flame retardant, environmentally safe, and guaranteed. They do require some care to retain their original shape and condition, however. Simply reverse and switch cushions every few months so that they experience equal wear. NEVER remove the cushion covers for separate dry cleaning or washing, even though they do have zippers. Any “tumble” method of cleaning may destroy the backing or in some other way cause damage to the fabric.
FABRIC
Regular vacuuming of your upholstered furniture will enhance the beauty and longevity of your fabric.
In case of spills or stains, most fabrics respond to spot cleanings with water-free cleaning solvent or mild detergents, however, to be safe consult a professional dry cleaner. Always check a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning yourself.
CARING FOR YOUR AREA RUG
- Regular vacuuming keeps the rug clean and free from surface dirt and grit. Use of vacuums without rotating brush is recommended. Vacuums with rotating brush should be set on highest setting to avoid contact against the surface of the rug and the possibility of rotating brush pulling out the pile yarn. Continuous running of vacuum over the edge of the rug should be avoided as this will cause the serged edges to unravel. (For shag rugs with longer piles, vacuum’s suction tools without the rotating brush should be used).
- Shedding can be normal when a rug is new. Loose fibers imbedded in the rug’s pile during manufacturing will be coming to the surface of the rug. These can be removed by regular vacuuming.
- Rugs should be frequently rotated to prevent wear from uneven traffic patterns and fading from direct sunlight.
- Any wrinkles or creases that may develop during shipping should disappear within a few weeks after the rug is opened on a flat surface.
- New rugs are wrapped in an airtight packaging for overseas shipping. Any order present will subside in a few days after the rug is opened.
- Use of a rug pad is recommended to keep rugs from shifting and bunching, and to help prolong the life of the rug as well as flooring.
WOOL RUGS
- Longer yarns may work to the surface after use or vacuuming. This is normal. Do not pull the long yarns out. Clip them off evenly with the rug surface using a pair of scissors. (see images below).
- Remove spills promptly.
Liquids:Blot immediately to soak up as much liquid as possible. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
Solids: Scoop up as much as possible with a dull knife or spoon, then (a) let dry and vacuum (b) sponge with cold water and blot dry. A professional area rug cleaner is recommended for heavy stains.
VISCOSE RUGS (SHACKELFORD & BELLAGIO COLLECTIONS)
- Viscose offers unsurpassed softness, sheen and color richness. However, viscose is a very delicate material and needs to be treated with extra care. These rugs are ideal for areas in the house with low traffic and where the furniture placement rarely changes.
- A professional area rug cleaner is recommended for cleaning. However, there are immediate steps that can be taken in order to minimize damage to the rug. Remove spills promptly.
Liquids:Blot immediately (do not rub) to soak up as much liquid as possible.
Solids: Scoop up (in the same direction as the pile nap) as much as possible with a dull knife or spoon. Have the rug cleaned by a professional area rug cleaner as soon as possible
COWHIDE RUGS (TRACE COLLECTION)
- Remove spills promptly.
Liquids:Blot immediately to soak up as much liquid as possible. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
Solids: Scoop up as much as possible with a dull knife or spoon moving in the same direction of the hair-on-hide nap, then (a) let dry and vacuum (b) sponge with cold water and blot dry. A professional area rug cleaner is recommended for heavier stains. - To prevent damage to the rug, heavy furniture should not be dragged on the rug.
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Caring For Your New Live-Edge Table
RECEIVING INTO YOUR HOME/OFFICE
Please avoid using the table for a week. We know that this is hard to do. This will allow the piece to acclimate to your home’s temperature and humidity.
SPECIAL CARE
Please do not place hot or extremely cold items directly on the table. While the finish is very strong, it has the possibility of hazing the finish. Please use placemats, coasters, chargers, etc.
CLEANING
When it comes to live-edge furniture, the standard is a hard-wax oil finish. It provides for a soft-matte finish that brings out the wood’s natural characteristics and bold beauty with a water-resistant surface.
Because they’re unique, it’s important to know how to care for your live-edge table. It isn’t any more difficult than caring for other finishes, but hard-wax oil furniture maintenance requires the right knowledge and, most importantly, the right products. When simply wiping down the table, just use a lightly damp cloth, let dry and buff lightly.
Here, we’ll take a look at what you need to know to care for your piece and ensure its beauty lasts a lifetime. When possible, clean only by wiping with a dry cloth. Overly frequent cleaning will only needlessly expose your table to moisture. - Approved cleaning solutions, to be used with a lightly damp cloth:
- Bona® Professional Series – Natural Oil Floor Cleaner
- Rubio Monocoat® Surface Care/Rubio Soap.
Both are available on Amazon or the manufacturers’ page. Do not use cleaners other than the products listed above or you may permanently damage your piece. Note: you should NEVER use wood cleaners formulated for polyurethane-coated wood, as these contain alcohol, ammonia or other drying agents that will dry out your table and damage it.
GENERAL INFORMATION