At SLH, we pride ourselves with the quality of the products that are available in our ranges and Karpenter products are no exception. Keep on reading to explore what our furniture pieces are made of and how you can care for them.
Our European oak is carefully selected from managed forests to carefully construct solid timber furniture. To maintain the beautiful light colour of the Oak, a water based sealant is applied without a topcoat. The color of White Oak shifts gradually from light to dark brown the further one gets into its heartwood.
It is an ideal wood for furniture making. It is resistant to decay and adaptable to fine finishing techniques.
Care - Regular cleaning with a damp cloth and then a dry cloth is advised.
For extra protection against beverage and food stains a polyurethane coating is advised.
Before application it is recommended to get test on an inconspicuous area so that you are happy with the finish selected before applying to visible areas.
Avoid areas in direct contact with sunlight, high-use areas, and areas exposed to air-conditioning, heat sources or moisture. Exposure will result in yellowing and timber movement due to moisture loss.
Reclaimed Teakwood (indoor) The color of teakwood is golden like amber. It is beautiful, extremely durable and requires little maintenance, which make teakwood excellent for furniture. All our teakwood is reclaimed from old buildings and structures. We receive the wood still with nails and original paint, before we restore it and bring it to new life. We love our teak furniture for the story they tell.
Care - Regular cleaning with a damp cloth and then a dry cloth is advised. If you are wanting to add a topcoat for extra protection from day to day use, please follow the instructions from the supplier and test on an inconspicuous area so that you are happy with the finish selected before applying to visible areas. Avoid areas that are in direct contact with sunlight and areas that are high use areas of air-conditioning or close to heat sources or moisture, exposure will result in discoloration and timber movement due to moisture loss.
American Black Walnut is loved for its dark heartwood. Its color is brown with shades of purple and streaks of gold. The wood is hard and durable yet pleasant to work with, and it forms into the highest quality furniture. Just like all our solid wood furniture we source the timber ethically and abstain from using toxic materials in the furniture.
Care - Regular cleaning with a damp cloth and then a dry cloth is advised. If you are wanting to add a topcoat for extra protection from day to day use, please follow the instructions from the supplier and test on an inconspicuous area so that you are happy with the finish selected before applying to visible areas. Avoid areas that are in direct contact with sunlight and areas that are high use areas of air-conditioning or close to heat sources or moisture, exposure will result in discoloration and timber movement due to moisture loss.
The reclaimed wood used in our production is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC stamp guarantees that our furniture is produced in compliance with standards of sustainable forests and plantation management. Solid wood is dynamic and adapts naturally to the environment. This makes it a durable material that will stand the test of time.
THE MOST SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL - Bamboo is the largest member of the grass family. Compared to wood bamboo is definitely
the most sustainable material. The growth of bamboo is very fast – the species that we use
for furniture grow more than 1 meter within 24 hours! This growth will continue for 25 days.
After this the bamboo does not grow anymore, but gets stronger and the sugar content will
decrease. After 5-6 years the sugar content is at its lowest and the bamboo is ready for
harvest. After 6 years fungi begins to form on the outside of the culm. In time the fungal
growths causes the culm to collapse and decay.
In comparison an oak tree takes 50 years to grow.
Bamboo re-plants it self. New bamboo shoots will spread from the roots
RELEASES MORE OXYGEN THAN TREES - Bamboo releases more oxygen than any other plant, actually 35% more than ordinary
woods. This is due to the fast growth of bamboo – without using any kinds of pesticides,
fertilizers or herbicides! Additionally, bamboo absorbs large amounts of CO2—up to 30%—and releases over 35% more oxygen than other woods. By choosing bamboo, you're contributing positively to reducing CO2 levels and supporting a sustainable future.
HIGH STRENGTH - In addition to being a very fast growing plant, bamboo is a very strong and hard material and
stronger than traditional woods. On the Brinell scale which measures the hardness of the
surface, Ash, Beech and Oak are between 3,4 – 3,7, while bamboo measures 4,7.
Bamboo is very stable and is affected only very little by humidity.
Follow the instructions on the oil-product when applying. Use oil in moderation when applying: more does not always equal better. Oil the product as soon as you start using the table and then 3-4 times a year should be sufficient.
Our bamboo is treated with fungicide and oil from the factory, which helps prevent deterioration of the material. We therefor recommend all to use our HOUE oil for all HOUE bamboo parts.
The bamboo will eventually fade with sunlight and the weather, but maintenance, oil and cleaning will help keep the bamboo lasting for many years.
To prevent the bamboo from deterioration, please do not use a cover for the table. Bamboo is a natural material that needs to be able to breathe. By using a cover, condensation will occur and eventually this will cause the bamboo to develop mold and fungi. Avoid leaving it under a tree or other natural materials that can enter and irritate the bamboo's organic growth.
How to care for your Bamboo
From Ocean to Homes
Kleo is known among fisher folks along the northern coast of Indonesia, because of our attentive concern about boat wrecks that litter the coastline.
The boats have served coastal communities well for 40-50 years and once their useful life has come to an end we purchase these wrecks from the fisherman, giving them additional finance for their vessel, and free the coastline from this waste.
We then utilise the precious mixed hardwood timbers by upcycling them to create unique and functional furniture. The wrecks are stripped and transported to the factory for kiln drying.
All bolts, nails and metal components are removed, and each piece is measured and recorded to use the various lengths into our furniture pieces whilst minimising wastage. Some of our collections have more paint present on the final result showing the brightly coloured patterns and mosaics of the boat hulls.
Caring for the Timber
Because of the up-cycled hardwoor the furniture has advantaga of being very sturdy and requiring minimal care and effort to maintain the pieces for many year to come. It is however, recommended to avoid any hard chemicals when cleaning the furniture and rather just use a lightly damp cloth to wipe off any excess dust or debris.