Material & environment

Artwood was founded 1969, we are a wholesale company for furniture and interior products distributing to furniture stores, boutiques and interior design project.

The materials we use are carefully chosen with design and quality in mind.

MATERIAL

Most of products are handmade.

Materials such as stone wicker and wood have organic variations in colour, shape and can differ.

Tropical wood such as teak and mahogany are harvested from certified plantations (read more further down).

Some items, such as our concrete products, can be used both in- and outdoors.

Furniture is affected by the environment they are in, including temperature and humidity. Therefore, screws and fittings should be adjusted regularly.

Most textiles and leather pales in the sun. The whole surface should be exposed to the same amount of light to reduce the risk of the colour fading unevenly. Impregnate your textiles to protect them from stains and the sun. Dry cleaning is recommended for covers and other textile if not stated otherwise.

Wood is affected by the sun and can, depending on treatment, fade or darken in colour. Small cracks can occur and it is important to pay attention to care advice for each item.

Remember to never use strong cleaning detergents, for example containing citric acid, on your furniture. These products can harm the surface layer on the furniture. Often it is enough to use a mild soap when cleaning.

Outdoor furniture exposed to rain, wind, snow and salt should be given extra attention to ensure that they keep their colour and function. Outdoor furniture should be protected from snow and cold weather and never be left exposed during winter.

For specific care advise, see each product.

If you have any trouble or questions, please turn to your retailer for professional advice.

All our upholstered furniture is made with metal or wooden frames. The spring system usually consists of elastic bands or so called nozag springs. Seats and backs are made with filling of foam, polyether or certified down and feather. Our upholstery fabrics have a Martindale of at least 20,000. Most are between 5 and 6 on the lightfastness scale, which makes them suitable for indoor use.

Keep in mind that furniture that is placed in direct sunlight, risks fading or changing color.

Turn cushions regularly. On some models you can pick out the inner cushion and turn it.

Seats and cushions filled with down and feathers, require a little more maintenance than synthetic cushions, but if you take care of them, they will look good and be comfortable for many years. To maintain the shape and appearance of this furniture, it is necessary to regularly puff up and shake the cushions lightly to distribute the down and the feathers in the cushion.

Vacuum the furniture regularly with a soft furniture nozzle. Dust and fibers from other textiles such as rugs and decorative pillows can cause pimples on the furniture. Hair from pets, for example, should also be removed regularly to avoid pimples.

Recommended for indoor use.

In order for the furniture to stay nice for a long time and make it more resistant to stains and dirt, it is important to treat the furniture with a textile impregnation.

Unless otherwise stated on the covers, dry cleaning of all textiles is recommended.

All our leather furniture is made of leather of the highest quality, so called full grain from Italy and South America. The products are treated in different ways to get the desired look.

The furniture is made with metal or wooden frames. The spring system usually consists of elastic bands or so called nozag springs. Seats and backs are made with filling of foam, polyether or certified down and feather. Recommended for indoor use.

Turn cushions and cushions regularly. On some models you can pick out the inner cushion and turn it over.

Seats and cushions filled with down require a little more maintenance than synthetic cushions, but if you take care of them, they will look good and be comfortable for many years. To maintain the shape and appearance of this furniture, it is necessary to regularly puff up and shake the cushions lightly to distribute the down and the feathers in the cushion.

In order for the leather to retain color and function, it is important to take care of it. Vacuum the furniture with a soft brush. Stains should be wiped off immediately before being pulled into the leather. Never use strong detergents, but use a soft cloth with lukewarm water or a leather cleaner. On small scratches and abrasions, you can try to rub with a clean finger.

Never expose the leather to strong sunlight and do not place the furniture near a heat source. The leather types “Pure Dye” and “Natural Washed” are leather completely without topcoat, so-called full aniline, which makes them very soft and flexible. This also makes the leather more sensitive to stains. The look is deep and natural and there may be color changes. The animal’s own structure, insect bites and scars are left visible.

The leather color ”vintage cigar” is a specially treated leather to bring out the worn and old look. This leather should be treated no more than 2 times / year.

Nubuck is a sanded and matt leather, which has a very soft and smooth surface. As the shiny, protective surface of the leather has been sanded off, the leather is very sensitive to dirt and stains and therefore it is important that the furniture is treated with Leather Natural Protection before it is used.

Micro leather, or microfiber leather, is a high-quality synthetic leather. It consists of natural leather, with microfibers and polyurethane resins as raw materials and has similar properties to natural leather, but better physical and chemical performance and can replace natural leather.

It is very durable, with a Martindale of over 80,000. It is soft, easy to clean and has good breathability.

Use a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth when cleaning. For stains, lukewarm water and mild soap are used.

Rattan is a natural material and is made from thick grass and palm species. Because the material is completely natural and all furniture is made by hand, each piece of furniture becomes unique. Differences in color and appearance can occur depending on the season when the rattan is harvested, and the furniture is manufactured.

Our rattan products are made from different types of rattan, all of which come from plantations in Indonesia. The rattan is usually kubu, slimit, abaca, croco, lacak and malaka. The surface is sometimes treated with water-based varnish. Recommended for indoor use. Rattan becomes dry and brittle over time and can be easily broken under load or pressure. The material should therefore be moistened with the help of a flower sprayer, for example, at regular intervals. Clean with a damp cloth and a soft brush.

As standard, we offer 100% cotton cushions in off-white, for our rattan furniture. The core of the cushions consists of polyether and is wrapped with finely cut polyether and synthetic fibres.

The furniture is made of aluminum frame with synthetic polyethylene rattan. Recommended for both indoor and outdoor use. Remember to store the furniture protected during winter storage.

Clean with water and soft brush. Do not use high pressure washer. Use “Plastic rattan conditioner”, which effectively cleans and re-greases the furniture.

As standard, we offer 100% polyester cushions in off-white, for our artificial rattan furniture. The core of the cushions consists of polyether and is wrapped with finely cut polyether and synthetic fibers.

The furniture is made entirely of natural materials such as granite flour, cement, natural jute fibers and water. The concrete is porous and when finished, the product is treated with a wax to provide active protection against stains. Colour variations may occur. The concrete is cast by hand and the thickness can be somewhat different. Therefore, the height can vary a little bit for the same furniture.

The concrete furniture can be used outdoors during summertime. For concrete furniture with metal base, indoor use is recommended.

Clean with a mild detergent and water. Do not use abrasives or cleaning products containing bleach or ammonia. We do not recommend the use of ordinary detergents (which are often citrus based) as they may contain acid, which can damage the concrete. Plain soft soap, green or yellow, is an excellent cleaning agent for the concrete, as the soap also greases the concrete.

The furniture should be treated with wax once in the first two months after purchase and then every three to six months depending on use and placement.

We recommend that our customers regularly treat their tabletops in this way as the surface treatment wears off over time. You should be extra careful about tabletops when they are new as they are still in the intense hardening phase and the risk of stains is higher during that time.

When the furniture is used outdoors, the surface layer is even more important, as moisture can penetrate the concrete. During summertime this is not a problem, but if the furniture is exposed to moisture in connection with cold, cracks and flakes may appear in the concrete.

These damages are not considered as claims!

Therefore, it is important that the furniture is treated regularly, in order to protect the furniture.

Prior to winter storage, it is very important that the furniture is saturated with oil to prevent moisture from entering the concrete and causing damages. Normal olive oil can be used.

Use a regular cloth and continue to treat the furniture until the concrete no longer absorbs and is saturated.

Remember not to cover the concrete with plastic or tarpaulin and do not leave anything on the surface, such as pots or other furniture. Make sure that snow and ice cannot accumulate and remain on concrete surfaces.

For concrete furniture with wooden base (Acacia), we recommend an oil suitable for wood, “Furniture Oil” from “Leathermaster Scandinavia” is a good alterative. During production, the furniture is treated with oil and it is required that you continue to oil the furniture in order for it to stay in good condition. If the furniture is placed outdoors, oiling is required several times a year.

Make sure that the furniture is dry and clean before oiling. Continue to oil until the surface is saturated and the furniture does not absorb more of the oil. Wipe off excess oil with a cloth. Remember to protect the surface before and after treatment.

If possible, keep the furniture under roof and frost-free.

Marble and bluestone are natural limestones, which are softer and more porous, than e.g., granite and therefore requires a little more care. There may be small cavities in the stone, which are completely normal for real natural stone and are part of the stone’s character. Each stone is completely unique, and no two stones are alike. They are polished from the factory and have a soft and glossy surface. Veins and streaks can vary greatly due to the mining from different boulders. Therefore, it can differ a lot in patterns and colors between two stones. If liquids are left on the surface, the stone will absorb them and there is a risk of stains. Use coasters for glasses and cups, as many drinks such as coffee, juice, alcohol, etc. can cause permanent stains. Wipe up spills immediately and use a clean cloth dampened for cleaning. Ordinary soap is the best cleaning agent, as the soap also re-greases the stone. Never use regular cleaners as they may contain citric acid, which can damage the stone.

Our products in aluminum are hand crafted and are electroplated with layer of real copper and brass and treated with salts to give them unique look. A thin layer of lacquer is laid on top of the metal. Every piece is unique and variations in color and surface may occur. The surface is sensitive for liquid spill and should be wiped up immediately. Kindly avoid contact with hot surfaces and use coasters underneath cups, vases etc. Only clean with soft and damp cloth and do not use any chemical for cleaning. For indoor use only.

Some items, including tabletops, are powder coated and are more resistant to spills and liquids. Treat these in the same way as other aluminum items.

Oak is a hard, dense and strong type of wood that is excellent for furniture manufacturing. All our furniture is made of oak from Europe. Recommended for indoor use.

The oak in the Denver collection, “weathered oak”, consists of solid oak and oak veneer and is treated with wax and must be treated with uncoloured furniture wax to be protected against stains.

The products in the colors Pebbles grey, Carbon and Silverback, are made of completely solid oak and have been treated and painted by hand. The surface is smooth and natural branches and cracks have been left visible. This makes the furniture unique and no two are alike.

Wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth. Vacuum cleaner with soft furniture nozzle is suitable for the natural cracks.

Oak veneer consists of a thin sheet of oak, which is glued to a dull and hard fiber board in MDF.

The veneer is painted and varnished in several steps, which gives a hard and durable surface, but retains its natural appearance.

Cleaning is done with a slightly damp cloth, no strong cleaning agents may be used.

When unpacking, wipe the furniture with a slightly damp cloth (without detergent) as there may be paint dust from the production on the surface.

TEAK FOR INDOOR USE

Teak is a type of wood with particularly good properties for the manufacture of furniture and furnishings. It is hard, heavy, elastic and contains oil, which makes it very resistant to moisture and impact. We only use wood from plantations in Indonesia when we manufacture our teak products. Our untreated teak products are sandpapered and polished.

In the manufacture of our recycled teak products, branches and roots from teak trees are used. There may be small cracks, nail holes, colour differences and irregularities in the wood. It is part of the collection’s character and makes each individual piece of furniture unique. Recommended for indoor use.

Wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth. Vacuum cleaner with soft furniture nozzle is suitable for the natural cracks.

Instant Gray and Charcoal Gray.

Untreated teak gradually changes color during outdoor exposure from honey-colored in the beginning, to silver-grey over time. Our teak furniture for outdoor use is treated with an environmentally friendly, water-based solution with silicon vitriol as an active ingredient. This is what gives the greyish color from the beginning. The different structure in the wood means that the table absorbs different amounts of the agent and therefore you can get a small difference in color between different tables. The treatment will gradually drop, and the natural patina will be highlighted, and the furniture will then retain its silver-grey, natural color. In some cases, penetrations of sap and resin from the wood on the surface can be detected. These are marked as yellowish spots on the table and are completely normal and will disappear over time.

Use a slightly damp cloth when cleaning. The furniture should be treated a couple of times a year with “Teak Shield” to maintain its protection against stains and water. Place dry and free from temperature changes during winter storage. When stored damp and poorly ventilated, mold can form on the wood, which can be difficult to remove.

The elmwood in our products comes from Central Asia. The trunk gives a very strong furniture wood that ages beautifully. Characteristic of our products is an unprocessed appearance and an unpolished surface with irregularities in the wood. The products are treated several times with wax during manufacture. Small cracks can occur. Recommended for indoor use.

Wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth. Vacuum cleaner with soft furniture nozzle is suitable for the natural cracks. Treat with natural wood wax or with pigmented wax if you want a darker shade on the furniture. Spray wax is also good to use. If left untreated, the furniture becomes more fragile and stains can become permanent, even if they are wiped off immediately.

Recycled wood from old boats. Usually conifers. The material is cleaned and free of harmful substances. There may be cracks, nail holes, color differences and irregularities in the wood. It is part of the collection’s character and makes each individual piece of furniture unique. New cracks can occur. The furniture is only treated with a thin stain and lacks surface protection. Recommended for indoor use.

Wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth. Vacuum cleaner with soft furniture nozzle is suitable for the natural cracks. Treat with natural wood wax. Spray wax is also good to use. If left untreated, the furniture becomes more fragile and stains can become permanent, even if they are wiped off immediately.

A tropical fast-growing wood species that has a surface that is similar to teak but with a softer structure. The surface is treated with a water-based, environmentally friendly, color varnish. Recommended for indoor use. Use a slightly damp cloth when cleaning.

Mahogany is an easy-to-work and water-resistant type of wood that is excellent for furniture production. We only use wood from plantations in Indonesia when we manufacture our products. The surface is treated with coloring varnish. Use a slightly damp cloth when cleaning.

During production, the furniture is treated with oil and it is required that you continue to oil the furniture in order for it to stay in good condition. If the furniture is placed outdoors, oiling is required several times a year.

Make sure that the furniture is dry and clean before oiling. Continue to oil until the surface is saturated and the furniture does not absorb more of the oil. Wipe off excess oil with a cloth. Remember to protect the surface before and after treatment.

We recommend “Furniture Oil” from “Leathermaster Scandinavia”. Read the operating instructions carefully before use.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

All our suppliers certify that no child labour takes place. Checks are made annually by, among others, Fair Working Conditions (FWC), an international association working to ensure that human rights are upheld.

Guarantees are given that no employees are below the age of 15, the minimum for developing countries under the ILO Convention.

Our down and feathers used in cushions and fillings are not plucked from live birds. The feathers are treated at high temperature of 110°C for at least 30minutes. Veterinary certificates are provided.

TIMBER REGULATION

Artwood complies with the Timber Regulation introduced in 2013 and has been approved by the Swedish Forest Agency inspection. The purpose of the Timber Regulation is to tackle the global problem of illegal felling and counteract the trade in illegally harvested timber and wood products in the European Union.

TEAK

All our suppliers of teak furniture certify that only wood from plantations is used, i.e. FSC certified teak.

RAILWAY/RECYCLED WOOD

All our suppliers of furniture made from recycled wood certify that the wood has undergone a process in which the material has been cleaned and is free from harmful substances. Regular tests are carried out to ensure this.

REACH

We apply the Swedish Chemicals Agency´s REACH legislation. This legislation regulates the placing of chemicals on the market. We are under an obligation to produce data on chemical substances in our products and make a risk assessments to ensure that these do not harm human health or the environment.