We all know our families are wonderful (or maybe a bit crazy), but for sure we all share differences in how we live. This means the furniture we own will be treated differently from household to household, but an appreciation and understanding of what we sit in or use daily will keep your furniture looking great no matter what. A few guidelines and tips are all you really need.
Wood Furniture
Even after a tree is cut down, the wood continues to “live” – it reacts to its surroundings and changes character, like the seasons. Wood is shaped, re-cut, and put together to make a table, a chair, or put to countless other uses. The elements create strong influences on the behavior of all wood products. Sunlight in particular can affect many changes in color, patina, and wood surface texture. Generally the beauty of wood improves with age if it is given a bit of protection from extremes.
How to protect wood
Keep wood away from heat. Extreme changes in temperature make wood “antsy” – it literally moves around, changes size and even direction. Protection from heat – like a hotplate or trivet between a hot dish and a wood surface is ideal, a coaster for a hot cup of coffee or iced drink on the surface keeps the wood insulated from harm.
If it’s possible, keep your furniture away from a radiator by as much as two feet. If close proximity is unavoidable, then budget accordingly. Your best pieces deserve the safest placement for longest use.
For all furniture, wipe up spills right away. Water is as much a foe as the sun can be. A slightly damp cloth is best for cleaning furniture surfaces, then a completely dry one for the final touches.
Solid wood has a tendency to move and adjust according to temperature and humidity. Avoid extremes when possible. When you can’t and some shifting occurs, solid wood will tend to revert back towards its former size when normal conditions return, as long as the extreme period is fairly short.
What to avoid
Don’t bury wood tops under a moisture-proof cloth for more than a half day. The wood cannot breathe and can become dried out and check, crack, or warp.
Storing wood furniture in a damp area or where temperature extremes and moisture prevail is a bad recipe for longevity. It’s a great place to store something you no longer want though…
Furniture made for indoors should stay indoors. Taking it outside is just not recommended.
Treating various surfaces on a regular basis
There are a few key ways that wood surfaces are finished by furniture manufacturers and furniture makers. The majority of our furniture is either lacquered or oil treated.
Lacquered Surfaces
Use a dry or just slightly damped cloth for removing dust and dirt. If necessary, most lacquers will tolerate a very mild soap or cleaning agent, but err on the side of caution “strength-wise” and make sure the surface is dried thoroughly after using any of these agents.
Oil treated wood surfaces
Regular maintenance is the same as for lacquered surfaced furniture, but a few times a year an oil treatment can really bring the pop back to your pieces and add a layer of protection too. You don’t want to drown your furniture, but you do want oil to get into the surface. So, apply it generously enough, let it sit for a short while, then wipe the excess off. A soft cloth used to apply, and then another soft cloth to wipe excess away is the best method. You can, if you’ve got the patience and love, come back a little while later and do a final rub-down. Nice, in case you missed a spot or two.
Upholstered Fabric Furniture
It’s rare you can just throw your sofa’s fabric in a washing machine and hang it out to dry, or take it to the dry cleaners and make it “as good as new”. However, we’ve had fabrics that have featured just these attributes – such is life at Danco Modern. Realistically though, the best way to keep your upholstered furniture looking great is to vacuum it frequently.
As much as we love the sun, it is advisable to keep upholstered furniture out of direct sunlight – fabric will retain its youthful appearance and color much longer.
Removing covers from your furniture should only be done if the manufacturer says it’s okay. Often, although cushion covers have zippers, it’s really more of a means in a factory’s production routine and are much easier to stuff with the inner cushioning. Zippers are not in place to guarantee easy removal, but rather for a rationalized production process.
When you buy your upholstered furniture, manufacturers have a cleaning code assigned to each fabric they offer. Getting that information from the store should always be a standard service and easy information to get. If a period of time goes by without knowing, the cleaning code assignment can be much harder to find out.
Leather
What a wonderful material for furniture seating. Like wood, it’s a natural material and no two hides are exactly alike. Individual characteristics, such as scars and branding are a totally natural occurrence. Leather has many grades and quality features. Depending on where the leather selection comes from in the hide – the top grain, the middle, or the underside – and the process used to prepare it for a finished furniture product – the comfort and feel, and even proper care will vary.
Although the differences can be considerable, the general rule is that leather does not require as much care a fabric. However, left alone leather will not look, wear and feel as well as it should. Spot cleaning can be done with water without high mineral content – “soft water” it’s been called, but do so only with a gentle touch. Scrubbing will hurt, discolor, and modify the surface’s appearance.
There are many leather care products on the market, so a check of the product’s claims and listed purposes are very important. The best manufacturers offer their own leather care products and instructions, because they’ve tested them and are pleased with the results.
Surface treated leather
Surface treated leather is better adjusted to surviving a hostile environment than aniline leather. It can offer exceptional comfort and easy care. So it’s not quite as soft and supple, but the difference can be minimal with today’s production technology. Here again, direct sunlight should be avoided.
Clean surface treated leather with a soft cloth and low mineral content water. If it’s a stubborn spot, a mild soapy mixture will help – nothing with strong and harsh ingredients – and very gentle rubbing. Wipe the moistened area dry with another soft cloth.
Untreated leather
Soft and flexible, this leather is close to heaven in hand, touch and smell. However, natural imperfections will often show. To the connoisseur, this is a sign of ultimate quality and uniqueness. Without the treatment applied by leather companies, the leather is open and vulnerable. The absolute finest is called aniline (dyed from the surface to the bottom – through and through – and a close second is semi-aniline where the dye does not quite penetrate fully. These leathers are sensitive to oils in all forms, especially those from skin and hair. Often certain prescription medicines exacerbate the production of oils in humans, and untreated leather can react badly in its changed appearance.
Applying soap to most aniline and semi-aniline leather is a bad idea. They really don’t like direct sunlight either – they’ve got a good enough tan already… The best care is a soft cloth and frequent dusting. When given a lot of attention, these leathers are intensely rewarding.
What leather likes
Dusting… Do it as often as you can and enjoy it. Around the stitching especially, keep the dust and dirt away – this will keep the stitching at its strongest. Shade… The sun belongs outside. Direct sunlight is an enemy to leather longevity. Leather really likes having various spills wiped away right away. Food has oils in it which need to be removed as soon as possible. Water without minerals and a soft cloth can lift grease and oils away. Always dry thoroughly, and with your gentlest touch.
What leather doesn’t like
Dishwashing soap, grease, oils, chemicals, cleaners, extreme heat, humidity, direct sunlight, vigorous rubbing… avoid all of these as much as possible.
Some tips to share
Manufacturers publish care materials and information to go along with their finished products. Keep this information safe and refer to it from time to time.
A favorite keepsake you like to display on your beautiful furniture should have a protective layer between it and the surface, and move them around just a bit once and awhile so the surface isn’t smothered.
Cleaning a carpet with chemicals can harm your furniture if you don’t let the carpet dry thoroughly. The area might be disheveled a bit longer than you’d like, but your furniture will appreciate the extra time and sitting on a dry carpet.
Water with minerals has lime, and these deposits can be harmful. Rotating cushions on your fabric upholstery can help with even wear and extend the life and beauty of your piece.
When you attend to your furniture care projects, be kind and gentle. An extra pass or two in this manner is much more effective than a harsh “one pass” technique.

A piece of furniture constructed of pure solid wood throughout can be an object of beauty. Conversely, if construction is poor and certain details ignored, the item can be unseemly. Generally, solid wood furniture can be quite expensive depending on the wood species used, and like any other material, it has its limitations in design and function. Cherry, teak, maple, and walnut are some of the most beautiful woods in nature at a “reasonable” price.

Veneers date back hundreds of years. They are used to create interesting patterns, conserve resources, and limit expenses. Veneers are usually applied to a sub-surface of “particle board” or “medium density fiberboard (mdf)”, and the best manufacturers use the higher grades known as “furniture board”. Veneers on sub-surfaces allow furniture makers more freedom to explore designs and functions not achievable using solid wood. Our veneered furniture comes in many finishes.

Man-made materials such as glass, metal, and plastic round out the basic materials found in all furniture construction. Contemporary, transitional, and traditional furniture share this in common. Although man-made materials are often used alone, they are frequently incorporated into the use of solid wood and veneered furniture.

What Kind of Furniture Is Right For You?

No matter what your tastes, likes or dislikes, we strive to bring you examples of the best quality and value in all furniture construction methods. Our solid wood gallery of contemporary furniture continues to expand – cherry, maple, and walnut. Our veneered furniture offers an exciting selection of attractive designs and function. At the forefront of new products, our gallery of contemporary furniture incorporating many man-made materials continues to excite and find eager acceptance. In all cases, we are committed to finding the best quality in the world and bring it to you here in New England.

It usually goes something like this … You’ve invited some friends over for the “Big Game” . Well, we can’t help with all the munchies, main course or desserts, but we can outfit the dining room with a new and affordable dining table and chairs.

Take a look at your dining table and chairs. Are they comfortable, will they expand to fit all your guests?

If the answer is “no” or “maybe not” or “hmmmm”, you might want to consider one of these expandable dining sets we’ve got in stock for immediate delivery. The two tables epitomize Scandinavian design. The Aarhus table has a flip tabletop that doubles in size, and the Oslo table has a self-stored butterfly leaf.

Take a set home today. And best of all, they’re well priced from $499 to $649 for the set.

Copeland Furniture creates some of the most beautiful beds and dressers on the market. Exquisite material,  quality and design. Just try out the drawers and you’ll know. Made in Vermont.

Sun Furniture is another solid wood favorite, which excels at Scandinavian design. If you love teak (or cherry), this is the best priced quality wood furniture on the market.