Correct Usage and Transportation

Any furniture item with distinctive legs should never be dragged or pivoted to its destination in your home. The frame is designed to accept a vertical, not lateral force therefore lifting completely off the ground before moving is advisable. Snagging a leg on a carpet or on an uneven floor can easily break the joint or split the leg. If a joint has become loose or broken because of incorrect usage, allow only a skilled craftsman to repair the joint.

Drawers should not be overloaded or opened with only one handle. Both handles should always be used simultaneously otherwise the drawer will become twisted in the body of the piece. If a drawer jams or sticks, rub the underside with paraffin wax which will lubricate and result in a smoother operation.

Cleaning and Protecting

Painted Finishes - Much of our painted furniture has been beautifully restored, except when indicated as original paint, so that you may easily incorporate it into your home.

The top surfaces of the buttermilk paint finish have a lacquer applied for durability and easy clean up of spills. Simply wipe with a damp cloth. To maintain the overall beauty of painted furniture, use a dry cloth to dust the sides.

Take special care with original paint surfaces. Due to the age there may be some flaking paint so a feather duster is recommended over a cloth which could snag the finish.

Waxed Finishes - The waxed furniture is made from pine which has a beautiful, warm and comfortable appearance, but can dent and mark easily because of the softness of the wood species. Many consider these marks to be part of the furniture's charm and character but if you would like to avoid this type of "character",
protect a table or writing surface by placing a protective padding on the surface.

A weekly dusting with a clean cloth should be sufficient to remove environmental irritants to the finish. Furniture oil is not recommended because the oil applied to the wax can result in a sticky finish. A recommended alternative is Briwax which may be applied two to three times a year giving the finish a warm glow and appropriate protection for the wood. Keep in mind that no matter what type of wood finish you have, water is never a friend of wood and will leave a ring or mark.

French-Polish Finishes - To maintain the high gloss characteristics of a French-polish, it is important to dust regularly as environmental irritants can dull this beautiful finish overtime.

Always make sure to use a clean, grit-free polishing cloth as a dirty dusting cloth can cause fine abrasion lines. No other polishing is required.

Environmental Conditions

When furniture moves from one environment to another where there is a difference in local moisture content, the wood may react accordingly. If you find that your furniture is exhibiting cracks that weren't there when your piece was delivered it is because the environment is drier than the piece is accustomed. A humidifier can easily do the trick to restore the moisture back into the cells of the wood.