Furniture Options & Care Tips from Commware International

High quality furniture is a substantial investment which should offer a lifetime of use and enjoyment. Proper care and treatment of your furniture will help to maintain the original beauty and finish. In this article Commware International explores some of the different types of furniture options available and provides some care tips for preserving your furniture.

Different Types of Furniture

Leather Furniture

Leather furniture is one of the most elegant types of furniture that you can own. Leather is pleasant to have in any style of home, and will bring a new perspective to any room.


Leather is also a popular type of furniture as it is easy to maintain. In a society where people have limited leisure time, caring for your leather furniture can easily be overlooked, but in order to hold the value of your leather, you should follow a few simple tasks in order to keep your leather looking and feeling new. You should also know of the different styles of leather finishes before you purchase your leather furniture.








Leather Furniture Care Tips

• Never use wet wipes, use special leather wipes or a damp cloth to clean leather furniture every other week


• Clean at least three times a year using special leather cleaning products


• Each type of leather reacts differently to cleaning, so be sure to test your cleaning product on a small ‘hidden’ area prior to use. Keep a careful eye on colour appearing on the sponge and the leather underneath it, whilst cleaning


• Always follow the cleaning product manufacturer’s guidelines


• Remember that a few gentle cleans will give better results than a heavy spot clean


• Do not take cleaning shortcuts. Never use kitchen or workshop products as these can cause severe damage to your leather furniture that may be impossible to repair. If a stain is serious, contact leather care professionals who can do the work for you.
  
• Leathers should be kept from a build up of dust and dirt. Most leathers have a surface lacquer that will help protect from stains and spills. Clean using a white, clean damp cloth and a circular motion over the stain. On more stubborn stains, hand soap may be used and then removed with a damp, clean cloth. Do not soak the leather. In the case of Nubuck or unfinished surfaces, a stain resistant finish is usually applied in the tannery. In these cases, if a spillage occurs, use an absorbent cloth or kitchen towel and do not rub liquid into the leather surface. Regular cleaning of Nubuck should be done with a soft brush or by vacuuming with the appropriate attachment on a regular basis.
  

Unfinished Teak Furniture

Untreated or unfinished teak furniture weathers with time to a silver grey colour and can be maintained easily with a periodic cleaning to remove dirt and some stains. Using warm soapy water or detergent solution, gently scrub the wood in the direction of the grain. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before use. Use a pressure nozzle on your garden hose to help to loosen most dirt and debris that has accumulated in corners and crevices.

Pressure washing your teak furniture should be done with extreme care as damage could result from the use of excessive pressure. Pressure of 1200 PSI or less is sufficient. Adjust the hose nozzle to a fan pattern as opposed to a small intense jet stream and maintain 12 to 30 cm between the nozzle and the furniture surface being cleaned. Dampen the furniture beforehand as it will help to soften dirt build up and require less pressure washing.

Pressure washing can raise the grain of the wood and when completely dry may require a light sanding down with medium-fine sandpaper. Sand lightly, following the direction of the grain of the wood. Be careful when sanding. Sanding across the grain will leave visible scratches and require additional sanding to remove scratches.


Finished and Oiled Teak Furniture

Finished or oiled teak furniture requires regular care to maintain the finish. By following the manufacturers recommendation for maintenance of your teak furniture when the colour fades, will help to preserve the new look of your outdoor teak furniture.

Teak furniture care kits can sometimes be obtained from the manufacturer or outdoor furniture dealers. Most teak furniture care kits recommend a thorough cleaning and rinsing, allowing the furniture to dry completely. This is followed by a light sanding prior to the application of the oil or finish coat. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instruction to achieve the best results.

Teak furniture makes an excellent choice for outdoor living and if properly maintained, will last a lifetime. If you are unable to perform the regular maintenance, contact a furniture professional for assistance.


Teak Furniture Care Tips


Teak is an extremely durable and weather resistant hardwood from Southeast Asia. The naturally high oil content makes this wood stable when exposed to a range of climatic conditions.

A popular wood finish, teak is widely used for furniture manufacturing. Teak makes an excellent choice for outdoor furniture.


Solid Wood Furniture

Quality wood furnishings are an investment that you expect to last a life time. To maintain its natural beauty and protect your investment, wood furniture needs the right care.

Wood furniture is coated with a plasticized film more commonly referred to as a finish. The finish seals and protects the wood from moisture, dirt and regular use as well as enriching the wood grain and adding lustre to solid wood furniture. Wood finishes are diverse and vary from simple nitrocellulose lacquers to more complex polyester resins. All modern wood furniture finishes are long lasting and provide the protection your furniture needs.


Wood expands and contracts with the variations in temperature and humidity. Expect each piece of solid wood furniture to react differently depending on the type or species of wood used. Laminated woods and veneers are more stable than solid wood planks.

Solid Wood Furniture Care Tips

• Use a soft lint-free cloth to gently dust your furniture.


• Use a clean, very slightly damp cloth to remove finger marks. The use of detergents is not recommended.


• Silicon or spray polishes are not recommended as they may leave a residue on the surface of your furniture which affects its appearance.


• Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and only use the products that they recommend.
  
• Cleaning your wood furniture regularly will help to retain the value and appearance of your fine furniture. Dusting and cleaning removes the build up of grease, lint and dust that can get ground into or soften the finish.
  
• Cleaning your furniture should be done with a soft lint free cotton cloth dampened with water or furniture polish following the pattern of the grain. Cleaning your furniture with a dry rag can cause scratches to the finish. Use a light touch and rotate your cleaning cloth frequently.
  
• Follow by using a quality furniture polish to protect the cleaned surface as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Furniture dealers can recommend the most suitable products for your quality furniture item.
  
• Wood furniture with a lacquered easy care finish only requires daily dusting and the occasional wipe over with a clean, damp cloth followed by a dry duster to keep it looking good.


• Use good quality natural beeswax and polish if your wood furniture has a waxed finish, along the grain every 3 months. Use a clean duster to buff up and retain the natural beauty of your waxed wooden furniture.


• For wooden furniture with an oiled finish you will need to feed it with linseed oil every 3 to 4 months. Make sure you dispose of the cloths used safely.


• Wooden furniture is not water, chemical proof or heat resistant. Do not put hot dishes or cups on to any table top or cabinet. Always use an insulated mat for protection. Also it is not recommended to use a protective cover containing rubber derivatives as it may react with the top coat finish.

Care Tips for Fabric Furniture

It's important to keep your furniture looking good for as long as possible, especially if it's a piece you love. Even if you want to replace it, if you keep it looking fresh you can sell it on. Follow these simple tips to preserve your furniture for longer:

Regularly vacuum all furniture as the smallest amount of dust and dirt will damage the fabric over time


Rotate the cushions regularly so they wear evenly

When you've spilt something you need to act fast to minimize the damage - the longer you take, the harder it'll be to remove the stain later:

For liquid spills always use white absorbent cloths or paper towels to blot up the liquid as rubbing will damage fabric


For solid spills, like food, gently remove what you can, working from the outside in, using a spoon or other blunt object. Then treat as a liquid spill.


Dry spills, like ash or make up, should never get wet. Vacuum first, then beat the area with a flat object and vacuum again. Use a spot cleaner for any remaining stain.

Follow these steps so the stain won't set:


Use your cleaning product on a hidden area to see if it causes loss of colour, dark rings or shrinkage


Consult the cleaning code for guidance, it's usually found under the seat cushions


Use a clean white cloth to apply cleaning fluid in a blotting motion, working from the outside in.


As soon as you've cleaned the spot, brush gently with a clean and white, dry cloth to blend the edges and dry with a fan to prevent rings forming


With very small stains, use a cotton swab to apply the cleaner to remove stains or marks.


If a stain won't come out, repeat these steps until it does.


Acting quickly is critical for preventing a permanent stain so always make sure you have everything you need when you need it and only use quality products that won't damage your fabrics:


Fabric cushions should be turned regularly to distribute wear. Fibre and feather cushions should be 'plumped' daily in order to give the fillings a chance to recover.



Some General Furniture & Upholstery Care Tips

There are some simple things you can do to protect your quality furniture during everyday use. Following some of these tips can extend the life of the finish and the furniture itself.

• Lift and place items instead of sliding across furniture surfaces.
• Rotate accessories on your furniture periodically.
• Avoid prolonged use of plastic and rubber items on your furniture.
• Dust your furniture regularly and polish every 4-6 months.
  
• Keep furniture out of direct sunlight.
  
• Tablecloths, runners and table mats provide the most protection during regular and heavy use of a dining table.
  
• Placemats will help to protect the finish from dishes and cutlery.
  
• Coasters help to protect your furniture from moisture.
  
• Always use a protective pad when writing with a ballpoint pen on the furniture surface.
  
• Placing your furniture away from windows or blocking direct sunlight will help to protect your furniture from the damaging UV rays. Tinting your windows is another option and is sometimes even recommended to help protect quality furniture pieces from UV damage.
  
• If placing lit candles on your quality furniture piece, always ensure that a candle stand or tray is placed underneath the candle to collect any melted wax that may drip or run down the candle. Never place burning candles on a finished wood surface. As the candle burns down and the wax melts, it can generate and transfer enough heat to damage the finish and wooden surface.
  
• Hot pads should always be used when placing warm serving dishes on a tabletop. Very hot items such as a sauce pan or baking dish should never be placed on a tabletop, even with a hot pad.
  
• Felt protects your tabletops from scratches when used on the bottom of lamps, vases and other accessories. Always lift items from a tabletop, avoid sliding items across a table top as this can scratch the finish and in extreme cases, the wood surface beneath it.
  
• Sharp objects such as cutlery or pens can score the surface of your furniture, as well as tableware items being dragged across it.
• Tablecloths and table pads provide the most protection from UV (ultra-violet) light, which causes the finish to fade and deteriorate and may even bleach the wood.
• Avoid using household solvent-based products on an unprotected finished surface. In case of spills, blot the spill immediately, do not wipe as this will spread the spill and may cause further damage. If the surface has not been damaged, clean and polish the tabletop. If the finish has been damaged, call a professional for an evaluation. You’ll find them listed in the Yellow pages and they will usually give free estimates.
• Avoid placing furniture in front of or under windows
• Place furniture away from heating and air conditioning vents.
• Blot up spills immediately.
• Use tablecloths, coasters and placemats to protect furniture during use.
• To maintain the look and feel of your sofas and armchairs treat your upholstery like clothes and clean them regularly; even if you can't see the dirt, they get as dusty as your non textile furniture pieces.
• Brush gently or use upholstery vacuum attachments to remove dust, looking out for delicate fringes or braids
• Always cut off any snags, tucking them back in, don’t pull them
• Arm covers can help to reduce wear in this delicate area. Swap cushions around and plump them up regularly
• Avoid sitting on the edge of seat cushions, as they can get distorted or damaged
• Wipe wood or decorative facings with a damp cloth to remove dust.
• Remove stains carefully with a suitable upholstery cleaning solution.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and care instructions
• Thoroughly clean all upholstery at least once a year to prevent ingrained dirt, or get it cleaned professionally
• Clean all upholstery at the same time to prevent irregular fading
• Avoid stretching zips when removing and replacing covers
• Get the best fit; put the covers back on when they're just slightly damp and never when wet
• Put the covers back on in the right order: arms, seat area, back and valance
• Allow the covers to settle on the furniture for 1 to 2 days. If they need ironing, do this once they've been fitted and use a damp cloth
• Never use wet wipes, use special leather wipes or a damp cloth to clean leather furniture every other week
• Clean at least three times a year using special leather cleaning products
• Each type of leather reacts differently to cleaning, so be sure to test your cleaning product on a small ‘hidden’ area prior to use. Keep a careful eye on colour appearing on the sponge and the leather underneath it, whilst cleaning. Always follow the cleaning product manufacturer’s guidelines. Remember that a few gentle cleans will give better results than a heavy spot clean
• Do not take cleaning shortcuts. Never use kitchen or workshop products as these can cause severe damage to your leather furniture that may be impossible to repair. If a stain is serious, contact leather care professionals who can do the work for you.
• Fabrics and leathers are vulnerable to tearing and scratching by everyday items such as belt, shoe buckles and jewellery. Upholstery is also vulnerable to pets, children’s toys and by bumping with vacuum cleaners. The main areas that suffer wear on any upholstered furniture are the tops and front of the arms, the top of the inside back where the head rests and the front border which is vulnerable to heel marks.

Commware International Ltd
E: enquiry@commware-int.com
W: http://www.commware-int.com/

Commware International's Tiffany Lighting Collection

Tiffany Lamps & Lighting

In the early 20th century, New York artist Louis Comfort Tiffany began designing spectacular lamps, made up of discarded glass. He had previously been famed for decorative jewellery and stained glass window designs. It was the unwanted remains of the stained glass windows that inspired his early designs.

The use of bright colours and diverse techniques has now commonly become known as Tiffany glass. These ornate lamps were leaded and contained many different coloured glass panels.

Tiffany’s designs were heavily influenced by Japanese art, which accounts for many of the designs and patterns that were beginning to appear on the lamps. They contained images of butterflies, dragonflies and beautiful flowers. Many of these designs appear on the Tiffany ‘style’ lamps of today.

The ‘Tiffany trend’ appeared to be waning during the 1930’s and 1940’s because of the influence of Art Deco, however, during the 1950’s the trend was rediscovered, continued and is still as popular as ever today.

Part of the appeal of Tiffany glass is that it can transform the look of a whole room. Many of the designs are available in several different forms, including central pendants, wall lights and table lamps. The magic of the Tiffany ‘style’ is that the look and appeal are timeless, meaning that a well-placed standard or table lamp will look at home in almost any surroundings, creating a discerning and tasteful ambience.

There are also mirrors available which incorporate Tiffany glass and can be the perfect accessory to any room.

Commware International Ltd

E: enquiry@commware-int.com

W: http://www.commware-int.com/

Toile Wallpaper

Latest addition to our designs: a beautifull toile wallpaper. Available to print on both wallpaper and fabrics at ANY size the picture is just a taster idea of what can be acheived these days. Not just with this design but ANY!

Commware International Ltd
E: enquiry@commware-int.com
W: http://www.commware-int.com/

Commware International's latest products

Commware International Ltd
E: enquiry@commware-int.com
W: http://www.commware-int.com/

Innovations in Textiles - Digital Printing

As boutique hotels strive to become an aesthetic alternative to the big chains they are turning more and more to the unusual and unique.

As some of the larger hotel chains order from their “preferred suppliers”, the boutique hotels are more innovative as they are more willing to experiment with decor. Budgets obviously play a large part in renovation and it is necessary for hotels to bulk buy some textiles (e.g. bed linen), however, they still don’t really push the boundaries in terms of fabric and textile design for their executive suites or presidential rooms. Instead, they tend to play it “safe”.

Innovations in textile prints and weaves are now available which give the market something different. In textile print for instance, textile designers had (until the last few years) to design for the printing process, constrained to using a limited number of colours as large print screens could only put down one colour print at a time and the machines were governed by huge minimum production costs, raw materials, etc.

Digital printing has been challenging its forerunner - conventional screen printing - for a few years now and the good news is that digital print has increased designers’ experimentation capabilities. Fabrics can become much more graphic and designers are realising that any type of image is now possible for reproduction onto furnishings. For instance in upholstery, designs can be strategically placed on a piece of furniture.

Our Services

At Commware International we aim to overcome obstacles for our clients, whether with design ideas or new products. Our reputation is in the design arena and our ability to transform a client’s vision into reality is second to none.

Our designers cater for every style, technique and theme. If a client has their own design or image we make sure it is print ready and whatever idea the client has we can nearly always produce it. Any style from period to abstract off-the-wall design and print is catered for.

We offer a vast range of fabric base cloths, from the sheerest of silks to heavy cottons and velvets, including: chiffon, habotai, georgette, poplin, canvas, cotton lawn, fine wool and others. We can also produce textiles which are suitable for upholstery, like cotton drill, cotton velvet and full panama.

There is no need to purchase huge quantities as the minimum order for a digital print is one metre. If your project requires one metre of fabric, be it for upholstery, drapes, cushions, etc, then we only print one metre. And remembering this is your own design, to order just your relevant quantity is a huge advantage.

For the bigger budget we can explore a more luxurious feel in hand-printed or hand woven fabric production methods, again to a client’s own design and specification. We can screen print using the Devoré process onto silk viscose satin and silk viscose velvet and also produce exciting flock fabric prints.

As compulsory with any contract materials, our fabrics can be FR treated and also coated with a soil & stain protector if necessary.

We also offer a complete soft furnishing making up service.


Trends

An emerging trend for boutique hotels with an older history is the replication of the original décor. Nostalgia is never outdated and for anyone who wants to bring the original splendour back to their hotel we can replicate obsolete designs whether in original form or a print. If costs are prohibitive of having the fabric in its original form, then a disguised digital print would be an option.

Stunning effects can be created to match a hotel’s image. For instance, if the hotel has an Art Deco history, exclusive design and fabrics could be created around this theme but perhaps with a contemporary twist.

Many boutique hotels are now incorporating themed rooms. If for example a client decided they wanted a Moroccan theme for just one room, this could be done simply and cost effectively, but still look wonderfully unique and luxurious.

Remember: Exclusive need not mean expensive.

Commware International Ltd

E: enquiry@commware-int.com

W: http://www.commware-int.com/