At Mek & Fettle, we believe part of the beauty of hardwood furniture is not just the look and the durability, but the feel. We don’t like to cover our hard work in thick plasticky, glossy varnishes, but we understand it needs to be protected from everyday use. Having said that we also like it when a piece develops its own character, building a patina overtime.

All our pieces come with a ‘Care for’ guide, on real paper, so you can look after your furniture with confidence. Most will be perfectly happy with being wiped when needed with a damp cloth and every now and again you can easily apply another thin layer of furniture wax to replenish the barrier it comes with.

The finish you choose for your piece dictates the different methods of care, but most importantly how your piece will age. Below are the main options we choose and how they might be cared for.

Wax (just wax)

This is the lightest of our finishes, but our favourite. Looks and feels like pure wood and ages quickly but gracefully

  • This is the most natural in both look and feel. A slightly paler tone like the unfinished wood, but with all the character, you can feel every grain and knot as if it were unfinished.

  • Over the first year this finish will build up a patina pretty quite quickly. The more you use it the more of your mark you leave.

  • Quickly wiping any spills clean with a damp cloth will keep it looking pretty new and re-apply a simple paste wax will maintain the protection.

    For big accidents, a light sanding and reapplying wax will take care of them, but if you’re like us, you’ll enjoy it ageing quickly but gracefully.

Oil & Wax

For a longer ageing time and durability, but still the feel of wood, we use a Danish oil and wax.

  • The oil really makes the wood grain ‘pop’ and adds a very slight warming tint to the piece, but even with this durable protection it still feels like it was once a tree

  • The oil will repel most stains and so the piece will stay looking new for a longer period. The warm tones from the oil may fade very slowly but can be replenished easily.

  • Wiping with a damp cloth will cover most needs. The oil may need replenishing anywhere from two to five years… or never, depending on how much use and natural daylight the piece gets. Once a year, reapply a simple paste wax to help maintain the new look

Satin Varnish

Our most durable finish for those heavily used pieces, but that still feel like the wood.

  • We use a satin finish to try and maintain the natural look and the varnish helps to bring out the grain and deepen the colours. The feel is less like wood than just wax, but when you run your hands over it you’ll know you’re feeling something that once lived.

  • This finish will take the longest to age, but use, daylight, and time will slowly develop its own story. Out of direct sunlight, light use and a regular rewax will keep this looking almost as the day it arrived.

  • This finish is not indestructible but will cope with most of what you throw at it. It will cope with a thorough clean with soapy water (not too much) and a yearly re-wax will help maintain the strong protection.