A piece of furniture, new or old, brings both pleasure and responsibility to its owner; the pleasure of owning something with history and character and the responsibility to preserve and care for it.

The average house is not a friendly place for furniture. Humidity and temperature change continuously which cause timber to move, knocks and scratches are daily hazards, the furniture is touched and moved and just simply used. Well made as they are, antique and new furniture needs protection.

The antique furniture we sell was crafted in France, which has a very humid climate. In addition, central heating did not become widespread there until late in the 20th century. For these reasons, our furniture is accustomed to higher levels of relative humidity than are common in North American homes. During the heating season especially, indoor humidity may drop low enough (10-30%) to dry out weaken furniture joints or shrink flat wood surfaces, resulting in splitting, cracking or warping.

Do not wait for damage to occur. Take preventative measures to protect these and all your valuables - old and new furniture, plants, paintings and books, among other things are all subject to damage from low humidity, and personal comfort is actually enhanced by proper humidity control.

Avoid placing furniture were it is damp. As well as encouraging pests and rot, excessive moisture will ruin polish and soften glues leading to structural weakness. Conversely, ensure that the environment is not to dry. There are several possible courses of action to maintain adequate relative humidity during the heating season. The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works recommend a minimum relative humidity of 45% at temperatures of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Monitoring temperature and relative humidity in an environment can be done with small, inexpensive thermometers and hygrometers purchased at electronic or hardware stores. When necessary, the relative humidity can be modified to stay within acceptable ranges through the use of humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

Light, particularly visible and ultraviolet (UV) light, is very damaging to organic materials such as wood. Damage from light is cumulative and irreversible. A table top exposed to diffused light for several years will suffer similar effects of light damage as a table top exposed to direct sunlight for a shorter time. Light provides the energy and increased temperature necessary to chemically degrade finished and wood colorants, and in some cases, cause wood cell structure to break down. Clear finishes often turn yellow or opaque in response to light, and the colour of the wood itself can also change.


Maintenance
As well as protection, your furniture will need regular maintenance. Dust often, as dusting is more important than polishing. Vacuum or dust with a soft cloth. Occasionally use a cloth just barely dampened with solvent-based cleaning wax to wipe the surface to pick up more dust, and immediately wipe with a dry cloth or soft paper towel. Do not use spray waxes and polishes on surfaces as they will leave a higher gloss and some silicone which may make furniture refinishing more difficult. If the finish is water resistant, a barely dampened towel or cloth will pick up dust.

Pads, mats and coasters on furniture, mats under vases, glasses, cups etc. protect them from spills and stains, and from heated objects. Do not use plastic or rubber on natural wood surfaces as they may soften and damage finish. Use felt under objects set on top of furniture that could scratch it.

Never use aerosol or spray furniture polish. This can lead to a build up of silicone which creates an impervious surface, preventing the nourishing wax from feeding the wood. Polish should be wax based. The classic polish contains Carnauba (which is vegetable in origin), paraffin wax and beeswax. Occasionally wax with paste (carnauba) wax. Rub on a light coat with a soft cloth with the grain of the wood ( or put a lump of wax inside a few layers of cheese cloth and rub into the wood thus preventing heavy smears ); then buff at once with a soft cloth, turning often, until the wax coating is hard. (Old cotton tee-shirts are good.) Be sure all wax is completely buffed until hard to avoid smears and streaks. A small electric polisher is a great "arm saver" on all smooth surfaces; wipe surface gently with clean soft cloth after applying wax to remove any loosened soil and then let set for several minutes (follow wax label directions) before buffing. An occasional re-buffing will renew the soft gloss. Paste wax helps cover small cracks and checks in old finishes, and can be easily removed with solvent when desired. Wax polishing furniture should not be done more than once or twice a year. Remove old wax first with a mild non-alkaline soap and water solution. Avoid waxing urethane-finished furniture. Waxing these surfaces causes them to gather dust and dirt rather than repel it.

Grease and food deposits or other such stains should be removed by washing. Never polish over them as this seals in the dirt. Use a little vinegar (a tablespoon in a half a pint of water). Wet the surface and rub vigorously with a soaked cotton cloth until all the grime is gone then dry off quickly with a clean cloth.


Handling
Before moving a piece of furniture, examine it for loose or damaged joinery. Once you have ascertained that it is safe to move, remove elements such as shelves, doors and drawers. If doors cannot be removed, secure them by locking or wrapping the case with soft cotton straps. Tables should always be lifted by the apron or legs rather than the top, which could possibly detach. Chairs should be lifted by the seat rails and not by the arms or crest rail. When moving a large piece, be sure to lift it and not drag it across the floor, as excessive lateral pressure on legs and feet can cause them to shear off or leg joinery to fail. When transporting furniture in a vehicle, place the object on its back or top, not on the legs. If a piece has a marble top, carefully lift it off and transport or store it vertically, as one would a sheet of glass.


Disclaimer
All solid wood products are subject to shrinkage, warping and seasonal cracks over time. This occurrences are non-structural and will not affect the durability of the piece. We will not be held responsible for any of these natural occurances. In many cases these variances enhance the beauty, giving it a cherished, heirloom appearance. When possible, wood shoud be kept away from any direct heat source (heat vents, direct sunlight, fireplaces). Dry, hot climates are especially harsh on wood.

Lastly, as with anything of advancing years, treat with tender loving care and respect and enjoy your furniture.