MATERIAL CARE
What you do after the piece arrives is what keeps it yours for thirty years.
Every material has one honest caveat. We've put it at the end of each section.
Resists everything except neglect.
Oil once a year. Dry cloth for dust; damp cloth for spills, then dry immediately. Teak oil, not linseed, for any piece that lives outside. Indoor teak doesn't need oil — the indoor air does the work.
CaveatDirect rain streaks the finish. Covered verandas, yes. Open terraces, reseal every monsoon.
Solid sheesham. Stays for decades.
Polish seasonally with a clear wax or natural wood polish. Dust with a dry cloth, never wet. Keep out of direct afternoon sun — the timber lightens unevenly over years of UV.
CaveatWater rings are permanent on an un-waxed top. Coasters are not optional.
Breathes. Will loosen a little. Then hold.
Dust with a soft brush — a paint brush works. Vacuum with a brush attachment once a month. Re-oil the timber frame every two years; the cane itself takes nothing but air.
CaveatHeavy humidity makes new cane sag. It tightens back. Don't tension-fix it early.
Wrinkles are a feature.
Rotate cushions weekly so the wear spreads. Spot-clean with cold water and a white cloth — press, don't rub. Professional dry-clean annually for heavily used pieces.
CaveatDo not put a linen cover in the washing machine, even cold. It shrinks back 3–5%.
The grain tells its own story.
Rotate 180° every six months so sun and footfall hit both ends. Vacuum on the lowest setting, no beater bar. Spot-clean with a damp cloth; blot from the outside in.
CaveatNo steam. No hot water. Heat locks a stain and felts the wool.
Hand-printed. Every piece has a provenance.
Cold wash, inside-out, gentle cycle, no bleach. Line dry in shade. Iron on the reverse while slightly damp. Colour settles over the first three washes — that's the dye finding its home, not running.
CaveatIndigo in particular gives off cast for two or three washes. Wash alone the first time.
Patina is a feature.
Dust monthly with a soft dry cloth. That's it. The dark tone brass takes on with age is what gives the light its warmth. Polish only if you prefer the brighter look — and know you restart the clock.
CaveatLacquered brass shouldn't be polished at all. The lacquer scratches off in strips.
Marble remembers.
Reseal once a year with a penetrating stone sealer. Wipe spills immediately — citrus, wine, and coffee etch within minutes. Daily clean: warm water and a pH-neutral soap.
CaveatNo vinegar. No lemon. No standard household cleaner. All of them etch.
Every piece has a provenance.
Wipe with a damp cloth. Glazed surfaces accept a mild soap; unglazed does not — it drinks the soap in. For unglazed planters, line with a saucer or a plastic liner if it sits on a wood floor.
CaveatNever submerge unglazed terracotta. The clay rehydrates and cracks on drying.
Stuck with a stain? Tell us — we'll call the maker.