To maintain the durability of the special finish of the furniture by Artitalia Group, designed for an unlimited period, a few simple rules must be follow. First, it is important to apply two or three times a year a thin layer of wax and polish with a cloth, so as to renew the finish and protect brightness.

In addition, the furniture cleaning must be carried out with products specifically design for wood surfaces: water, alcohol, acetone or the like are to be avoided, since they are elements and products that irreparably ruin the coating. As known, the natural structure of the wood may be subject to slight movements in the succession of the seasons, depending on whether environments are damp or more dry. These movements, far from being imperfections, are a guarantee that solid wood has been used.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

WOOD

Wood is a natural product. Sun bleaching will occur when wood furniture is exposed to sunlight. Th is will cause darker fi nishes to lighten and sometimes cause lighter fi nishes to darken. For this reason, try to avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight and rearrange accessories from time to time to prevent spot bleaching. Some bleaching will occur under both incandescent and fl uorescent lighting. Arrange your furniture so that it does not sit near heat registers, air-conditionings units or radiators. It is important to keep the home or offi ce in which your furniture is placed properly humidifi ed. Lack of humidity, usually in the winter months or in dry climates, can cause certain veneers to crack or check, and joint to work.

ATTENTION: Do not lay heavy, sharp edged, wet, boiling, abrasive objects on the furniture, or other items that could trigger chemical reactions and stain or mark the surfaces. If acid beverages such as fruit juices or alcohol spill dry immediately with an absorbent cloth to avoid ruining the precious surface. To remove stains never rub the surface exerting pressure. Even tobacco smoke, environmental effects or the kitchen vapors may mark the furniture. Regular maintenance of furniture is important to enjoy their beauty extensively. The optimal environmental humidity can not be less than 60% and the temperature should not exceed 80 degrees. Some plastic rests on computers, calculators, telephones and other rubber or plastic products, such as place mats, and vinyl notebook binders etc. contain a plasticizing agent that may discolor or soft en the lacquer finish on fine furniture. Always use felt pads under these articles to prevent discoloration or softening of the lacquer. Articles such as glasses, bookends, flowerpots, and hot cups and dishes should have cloth or felt type pads on them. Beware of some felt pads that have a pre-glued side as some of these adhesives contain chemicals that can damage the lacquer. Always remember to lift objects rather than sliding them across the finished surface. Chemical detergents or with acid contents, liquids or some materials (tablecloths, fabric softeners, metals) can damage/discolor the wood surface and must be removed immediately. Do not expose the surface to liquid or steam stagnation.

ORDINARY MAINTENANCE

VARNISHED SURFACES The cleaning can be carried out simply with a soft , clean cloth thoroughly rubbing the surface to be cleaned with the pressure strictly necessary to obtain the removal of dust and dirt. Clean any stubborn stains using only a soft cloth, warm water and mild detergent. Not all products designed to remove dust are also ideal for natural wood furniture. For this reason, according to our experience, we do not recommend the use of microfiber cloths for furniture surfaces and coatings such as leather and fabrics of all kinds.

OILED SURFACES (Vero and Leonardo collections) All the furniture from the collection Vero and Leonardo are treated exclusively with natural oil: to clean the surfaces use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and mild detergent. We recommend to immediately remove any liquid (e.g. water) accidentally split on top of tables or furniture: stagnation may cause stains difficult to remove.

LEATHER

The leather we use is of animal origin and is tanned; therefore the leather we employ is also a natural product, with its natural features, such as the evident neck folds, scars, cracks, scratches and natural dilation. These irregularities are not to be considered defects that affect its beauty, but instead proves its authenticity and value. Th e strong heat radiated by sunlight, spotlights or heating can dry the skin and make it brittle. Constant maintenance can counter these effects and enable you to enjoy the selected product extensively. Th e leather should be treated with care. In addition to regular vacuuming and wiping gently with a damp cloth, it is advisable to apply one or two times a year a special product for the treatment of leather and use it to clean the bodywork. Spots must not be removed with stain removers (turpentine, gasoline), or rubbing but must be patted gently with an absorbent cloth. Grease spots can penetrate in time in the material. During the first months the seating surfaces become a little ‘soft er and more elastic. With use, the foams used for the padding lose their initial rigidity and become more malleable. Th e larger the upholstered surfaces, the more voluminous will be the waves and depressions that will appear. To avoid these problems, change the place you seat in.

FABRIC

All upholstery fabrics should be dusted on regular basis with a vacuum cleaner. Down-filled cushions should be brushed rather than vacuumed. If possible, cushions should be reversed frequently. When complete overall cleaning is required, it is recommended to rely only on a professional cleaner.

GLASS

When cleaning the glass, make sure that the cleaning agents used are not in contact with the painted surface of the wood. In humid conditions, optical effects might occasionally occur temporary on the glass surface which will disappear once the surface is dry.

WARNING: the glass is not scratch-proof!

Eliminate stains or residue glue with appropriate solvents (acetone), rinsing with clean water.

CAUTION: The above mentioned solvents may only be used on the non lacquered.

MARBLE

Artitalia Group marble is porous and will stain if left unprotected. Marble can be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water, rinsed with clean water and wiped with a clean, soft cloth to assure no residue remains. If this is unsuccessful, repeat with white vinegar. Regularly polish your marble with a good non-yellowing paste wax. Avoid using abrasive cleaners. Food and liquid spills should be wiped up immediately with a damp, soft cloth. Use coasters to protect your marble against rings caused by liquid spills.

METAL

Some stands and details of the Vero and Leonardo collections are made with natural raw iron with exposed welds. Th e manufacturing process requires the base to be washed with specific neutral detergents and subsequently treated with oil, without any covering paint. Any marks, minor scratches, stains, oxidation are to be considered as typical elements of a natural iron product forged in the blast furnace.

SUPPLEMENTARY MAINTENANCE

Your furniture has a protective lacquer finish that most likely will not require any care other than dusting. However, on highly used surfaces we recommend applying a quality paste wax, such as Finishing Wax, which should be used on a regular basis to provide additional protection from scratches and spills. Finishing Wax is available at most home improvement stores. How oft en you apply the wax depends on how much wear the furniture receives. New furniture should be waxed aft er receipt. A desk or tabletop might be waxed at three month intervals, an occasional table at six month intervals. Th e sides and fronts of a desk, table, or chest may not need paste waxing. Before applying the wax, your furniture should always be clean. Remember to follow the manufacturers’ directions when using a cleaner of this type. Dry the piece thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. Apply a thin film of wax to the surface, working a small area at a time. Always rub in the same direction as the wood grain, then buff with a soft , dry cloth. Between waxing, your wood furniture requires dusting. For a surface that has been paste waxed use a moist, lint free cloth, and dry immediately with another soft cloth. A pre-treated dusting cloth that will attract dust without scratching the finish can also be used. When dusting a surface that has not been paste waxed we suggest using a cleaning polish that does not contain silicone. Silicone can damage the lacquers and make future refinishing very difficult. Lemon oil and other oil based polishes should also be avoided because they attract dust and grit, and cause a hazy film on the finish. Avoid using silicone waxes, lemon oil, or other oily polishes.

TV EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

Electrical and electronic components can overheat easily. It is therefore necessary to pay close attention to proper airflow, to avoid the damage afterwards. In addition, it is recommended to use only replacement lamps or equipment of the same power (damage to the transformer). Even for televisions or other electronic equipment integrated in shelving or closed inside a cabinet it is important to avoid the accumulation of heat. In this regard follow also the manufacturer’s specifications. The assembly of electronic components must be performed only by a skilled technician.

ASSEMBLING INSTRUCTIONS

ASSEMBLING

Installation should be carried out by authorized expert personnel. For all devices and electrical/electronic components follow the operating instructions and the manufacturer’s installation guide. Each “disassembled piece of furniture” is accompanied by its assembly instructions. These instructions should be read carefully before use, and specifications contained in them followed attentively. If in doubt, consult an expert. Any damage due to “DIY” installation are not covered by the guarantee. DIMENSIONS, INSTALLATION AND SET-UP In principle, the furniture must be installed upright, not too close to light sources and not exposed on one side only to heat sources. Th is way you will avoid damage or inconvenience such as excessive drying, warping, bleaching, cracks, creaks, jams, scoring or overturning. It is important to provide good air circulation behind the furniture.

WALL FIXING

In furniture in which the opening parts (doors, drawers) cause tilting, a further safety device must be applied to the manufacturer’s care. Th e technician should check the suitability of the substrate and make sure that the means used for fixing are able to withstand the forces generated.

HARDWARE

The furniture is equipped with high quality fittings. However, the maintenance remains a necessary condition to keep it fully functional. Maintenance work must be carried out at regular intervals and in the presence of revision to original installation conditions.

PACKING AND TRANSPORT

The products are carefully packed with more layers of air bubbles, with cardboard corners and with a very resistant cardboard box. Heavier pieces are placed on pallets. Th e transport of the products must be performed by forwarders specialized in furniture handling. Th e loading and unloading of the products must be performed by expert personnel taking into account that some non-detachable parts can be very heavy. Carefully follow the directions on the packaging such as “Fragile Glass”, “do not flip”, “High”, “it contains hardware.” Upon receipt of the goods immediately check the number of packages and packaging. Any defects in the packaging must be reported immediately with photographic evidence. Carefully check the packaging before its disposal, to avoid throwing any hardware and / or installation instructions.