Material and maintenance

Riviera Maison

RECYCLED WOOD

Wood plays an important role in the manufacture of furniture.

Rivièra Maison mainly uses reclaimed wood, sourced from old doors and beams, which has its own character. We call this ‘pristine’: untreated and as good as its original state. You will see holes where the hinges once were, cracks in antique doors become cracks in the countertop, and a door that has been exposed to rain frequently will have a different color than one that has been mostly dry and/or in the sun. Riviera Maison prefers to work with something that is old, weathered and natural.

Wood moves. The way it moves varies and depends on the room in which the furniture is placed. Wood shrinks or expands in response to changes in humidity and temperature, sometimes causing damage in the form of cracks or tears. This is inevitable and gives the wood its natural character, so an even temperature and humidity is important. Wood is also sensitive to direct and indirect sunlight and daylight. Oiled or waxed wood will always darken over time than varnished wood, and painted surfaces can also be discoloured by light.

As with all 'living' materials, each piece of wood, and therefore each piece of furniture, is unique. Our solid wood and veneer furniture also has its own character: knots, grain patterns and colour nuances come to the fore in different ways with each type of wood. This makes each piece of furniture unique and gives it its own natural charm. Therefore, the furniture may not exactly resemble the store model.

 

TYPES OF WOOD AND MAINTENANCE

Acacia tree

Acacia, also known as mimosa, is a durable and fast-growing fruit tree whose timber has a fine grain pattern. Ours comes from sustainable plantations. When the tree no longer bears fruit, it is felled and a new one is planted. Acacia wood has the same properties as mango wood. It is quite durable, but fine cracks may appear as the wood acclimatizes to your home; this does not reflect the quality of the furniture and is simply an inseparable part of this type of wood.

Care tips:

All acacia furniture and components are treated with white paint and can be wiped with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. To protect the paint, we recommend not using abrasive materials or rubbing too hard. 

Alder

Alder is a soft, North American wood with a subtle grain. Its wood chips are used to smoke salmon. Alder is extremely stable and we use it in cabinets and other items, usually painting it black first and then white. It is then lightly sanded to give it an aged look.

Care tips:

Alder is used for the base or frame and can be easily wiped with a slightly damp microfiber cloth to remove dirt. Do not use abrasive products and do not rub and/or polish too hard. Ash

Ash is a very flexible yet strong wood, known for its beautiful flamed pattern. This wood is extremely stable and is used for cabinets, among other things.

Ash tree

Ash is a very flexible yet strong wood, known for its beautiful flamed pattern. This wood is extremely stable and is used for cabinets, among other things.

Care tips:

Our ash furniture has a beautiful matte finish. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth, a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and crumbs from the surface. Do not use abrasive products and do not rub and/or polish too hard. Tabletops should be treated with care, so we recommend using coasters and mats to prevent damage from hot objects.

Beech wood

The beech wood we use comes from European beech, which usually has a light cream color and a very fine grain. This wood is mainly used in seat frames.

Care tips:

Beech wood is used for the frame or frame and can be easily wiped with a slightly damp microfiber cloth to remove dirt. Do not use abrasive products and do not rub and/or polish too hard.

Mango tree

Mango wood is often used in Rivièra Maison furniture. This fast-growing wood comes from fruit trees on Indian plantations. The tree is felled when it starts to bear less fruit. Rivièra Maison only uses wood from plantations. Furniture made from mango wood often has the same properties as furniture made from acacia wood. Both are quite 'wet' woods, so fine cracks may appear as the wood gets used to your home. However, this does not affect the quality of the furniture.

Care tips:

Mango furniture has a beautiful matte finish. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth, a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and crumbs from the surface. Do not use abrasive substances and do not rub or polish too hard. Tabletops should be treated with care and we recommend using placemats and mats to prevent damage from hot objects.

New elm

Our new elm is sustainably harvested and is used for table frames, large cabinets and cupboards, among other things. We usually paint it first black and then white, and sand it lightly to give it an aged look.

Care tips:

New elm is used for the base or frame. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth, a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and crumbs from the surface. Do not use abrasive substances and do not rub or polish too hard.

Old elm (driftwood)

Recycled elm wood is one of Rivièra Maison's most commonly used woods. Sometimes called driftwood, its appearance and color variations suggest that it was washed ashore.

The wood from North American elm was originally used to make front doors. Now, 80 to 120 years later, it is reused for table tops, cabinet doors and drawer fronts, among other things. The used wood gives the furniture a natural and weathered look. The doors are brushed clean, rinsed and sawn. The marks from the hinges, locks and door handles are still clearly visible and make each element uniquely old and natural. It is therefore not possible to choose tables by color. Color variations are even more evident in table tops with mosaic inlays.

Care tips:

Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth, soft brush or vacuum cleaner to remove surface dust and crumbs. Do not use abrasive substances and do not rub or polish too hard. The surfaces of our old elm wood sofa, dining and side tables are coated with a clear matte varnish that preserves their beautiful, old, pristine feel. Tabletops should be treated with care, so we recommend using coasters and mats to prevent damage from hot objects.

Old spruce and pine tree

This wood comes from the beams of Chinese houses and barns and is at least 40 years old. It is very durable and has a lived-in look.

Small hairline cracks and resin stains may occur.

Care tips:

Spruce and pine furniture has a beautiful matte finish. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth, soft brush or vacuum cleaner to remove surface dust and crumbs. Do not use abrasive substances and do not rub or polish too hard. Table tops should be treated with care and we recommend using placemats and mats to prevent damage from hot objects.

Oak

Oak is extremely strong, light in color and with an attractive grain. We use it to make countertops and cabinet doors.

Care tips:

Our oak furniture has a beautiful matte finish. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth, soft brush or vacuum cleaner to remove surface dust and crumbs. Do not use abrasive substances and do not rub or polish too hard. Table tops should be treated with care and we recommend using placemats and mats to prevent damage from hot objects.

Poplar tree

Another commonly used wood is poplar. This comes from sustainable plantations, where for every tree that is cut down, a new tree is planted. Poplar is used in products such as table frames and cabinets, and is usually painted black first, then white, and then lightly sanded to give it an aged look.

Care tips:

Poplar wood can be easily wiped with a slightly damp microfiber cloth to remove dirt. Do not use abrasive products and do not rub and/or polish too hard. 

TYPES OF FURNITURE FABRICS

Rivièra Maison upholstery uses both natural and synthetic fibers. Most fabrics are a blend of both. When furniture is not ordered at the same time, there may be a color difference. Furniture fabrics are dyed, and a difference in the dye bath (batch) can cause slight color variations.

If you want the items to be an exact match, we recommend that you order them all at the same time so that they can be made from one batch. If you order part of your furniture at a later date, please keep in mind that there may be a color difference.

NATURAL INGREDIENTS

Parts of certain plants and trees, after processing, are suitable for making textile fibers, such as cotton and linen. Combining natural fibers with artificial fibers can increase color fastness and wear resistance.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural and very comfortable fabric that breathes and absorbs well, so it does not sweat easily. Like many natural fibers, cotton is sensitive to (in)direct daylight and sunlight and is prone to wrinkling. Because cotton absorbs moisture quickly, it can be difficult to clean, and it is often combined with artificial fibers to increase its color fastness and wear and crease resistance.

Hear

Linen is a natural fiber made from flax stalks. It is very airy, breathable and feels soft and comfortable. Linen creases relatively quickly, which makes it look soft and inviting. It is a strong fabric, so it is not particularly prone to pilling, but if this happens, it can be removed with a lint remover. Like most natural fabrics, linen is sensitive to stains and discoloration caused by (in)direct daylight and sunlight. Combining linen fibers with synthetic fibers can increase color fastness and wear resistance and crease resistance.

Synthetic fabrics

Acrylic, polyamide, polyester and polypropylene are examples of upholstery fabrics made from synthetic fibres of different composition. Their advantage is that they absorb little moisture and dirt and are less sensitive to discoloration.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that is warm and soft to the touch and highly insulating. Acrylic insulates even better than wool. It is also resistant to sunlight. It is a strong fabric, so it is not very prone to pilling, but if this happens, it can be removed with a lint remover. Like other synthetic fibers, acrylic is easy to clean.

Pellini

Pellini leather is a composite fabric that contains 10% leather, so it has the properties of fabric and the appearance of leather. 

Polyester

Polyester is our most commonly used synthetic fiber. Like most synthetic fibers, polyester is easy to clean. It also withstands (in)direct daylight and sunlight well and is virtually crease-resistant. Polyester can cause static electricity and can feel less comfortable than fabrics like cotton.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a synthetic fiber that absorbs little moisture, so furniture and accessories made from it are usually easy to clean.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a synthetic fiber that is often used as a thin top layer for artificial leather. This makes the fabric very durable and easy to clean because dirt does not penetrate. The disadvantage, however, is that it does not breathe and therefore sweats quickly.

Viscose

Viscose is a synthetic fiber made from a natural raw material. It is soft, pleasant and supple to the touch, but sensitive to moisture, wrinkling and light.

SUPPORTS AND FILLING MATERIALS

The fillings in our seating furniture are supported by a spring base. We primarily use Nosag suspension due to its excellent spring properties. The springs are electrically hardened and last for many years without losing their quality.

Down, flakes and fiber filling

Comfort is of course one of the most important factors when buying a seat. Our sofas and armchairs usually have a number of compartments filled separately with down feathers, polyether flakes or fibres or a combination of these materials.

The separate compartments prevent the filling from moving from one part of the cushion to another, but it will still spread out with use, so we strongly recommend shaking them regularly. Otherwise, the filling can collapse and stick together, forming 'holes'. This is obviously a bigger problem for soft fillings than for harder ones. Designers choose soft fillings to give the seats a more relaxed look and make them more comfortable to sit on.

 Cold foam

Cold foam is a material that breathes and absorbs moisture very well, thanks to its open cell structure. It is a polyurethane foam and is not heated to a high temperature during production, which makes it very comfortable and durable. A strong back pressure is created, especially when subjected to heavier loads.

The material is very comfortable and retains this property throughout its lifetime. In addition, cold foam is tear-resistant, fire-retardant, highly elastic, does not emit dust and is anti-allergenic.

Dacron

All Rivièra Maison upholstered furniture has multiple layers of foam on top of each other, surrounded by a thick layer of dacron to increase seating comfort. Dacron is a very soft microfiber made specifically for furniture upholstery. In terms of fabric and upholstery, the individual seat cushions for some seats in our collection can be reversed.

QUALITY INFORMATION

Our furniture is subject to KIM, the official, nationally recognized Dutch product information for upholstery fabrics. This uses the Martindale test: the higher the fabric's Martindale score, the more durable it is.

Upholstery fabrics are divided into five categories;

Decorative use (up to 6,000 Martindale) Fabrics in the use class 'Decorative use' have low abrasion resistance and are only suitable for use on seating furniture that only has a decorative function. For example, a decorative piece of furniture in the hallway or bedroom, and is rarely used for sitting.

Light residential use (6,000 to 15,000 Martindale) Furniture fabrics in the 'Light residential use' use class are suitable for furniture that is subject to low wear and tear and is not used daily.

Normal Residential Use (15,000 to 40,000 Martindale) Upholstery fabrics in the 'Normal Residential Use' category can withstand a few hours of use each day in an average family situation. However, abnormal use may lead to greater than average stress on the upholstery fabric.

For example, a seat in front of the TV that is used for many hours every day.

Intensive residential use (40,000 to 75,000 Martindale) The 'Intensive residential use' use class indicates a strong upholstery fabric that can withstand several hours of intensive daily use, for example in a busy household. This use class is also recommended when there is a fixed seat in front of the TV that is used for many hours each day.

Intensive living and working (75,000 Martindale and above) Extra strong furniture fabrics are those in the use class 'Intensive living + working'. As the name suggests, these fabrics are also suitable for use in work situations or at a computer workstation at home. They can be used intensively for many hours every day.

FASTNESS

Lightfastness indicates the degree to which a fabric is resistant to discoloration under the influence of sunlight, daylight and artificial light. All fabrics discolor to a greater or lesser extent, especially when regularly exposed to direct sunlight for many hours. Discoloration is more noticeable in darker colors than in lighter ones.

Lightfastness is divided into three classes:

Sufficient

Upholstery fabrics with a lightfastness rating of 'Sufficient' are reasonably resistant to (in)direct artificial light and/or daylight. These fabrics should not be exposed to (in)direct sunlight.

Good

Furniture fabrics in this class are resistant to artificial light and daylight and reasonably resistant to (in)direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to (in)direct sunlight may cause discoloration.

Very good

These upholstery fabrics are highly resistant to artificial light and daylight and reasonably resistant to sunlight. If exposed to sunlight for a long time, discoloration may occur.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Influence of (indirect) light.

Upholstery fabrics will always discolour to a greater or lesser extent over time when exposed to direct or indirect daylight and sunlight. This varies from fabric to fabric. Fabrics with natural fibres such as cotton and/or linen will discolour more quickly under certain circumstances.

Cushions and comfort

Many of our seats have cushions with loose fillings, such as down, feathers or fibres, which makes them particularly comfortable. We recommend shaking these out weekly, as otherwise the filling can settle and sink, causing 'holes'. Seats that are used more often also often feel softer and more supple than those that are used less often.

Shift and turn

We recommend shaking loose seat, back and decorative cushions regularly to keep them in shape. We also recommend changing and turning the cushions regularly. In some cases, both the seat and back cushions are reversible and can be used on both sides. This makes it easy to change and turn them. In other seating furniture, the cushions can only be swapped and not rotated. To turn the cushions anyway, you need to carefully remove the cushion filling from the cover and then put it back into the cover when it is turned upside down.

 The advice is to change the cushions four to six times a year, turning them over and shaking them regularly. If you take care of your upholstery, you will be able to enjoy your purchase for a longer time.

Curls

When you buy an upholstered piece of furniture, it looks tight and not completely "worn" on the outside. For optimal seating comfort, the filling should become approximately 20% more flexible; how long this takes depends on the type of filling and fabric. A hard cushion filling always softens a little and stretches with use.

Materials and maintenance

Furniture

Discoloration due to heat

The fabric and color of the seat can be affected by heat sources in the immediate vicinity. If you place it close to a central heating system or stove, the fabric may fade in color or crack due to heat.

Dehydration due to dry air

Dry air can cause fabric or pellini leather to dehydrate, making it more susceptible to damage. We recommend using a humidifier to maintain humidity levels. This is not only better for the fabric or pellini, but also for your own health and comfort.

Chemicals and sharp objects

Buckles, zippers and rivets in denim can damage fabric and pellini leather, as can pet claws. Hairspray, gel, nail polish, glue and other volatile products contain acetone. A single drop of acetone will cause irreparable damage. Upholstery fabrics are also very sensitive to other chemicals, so be careful.

Fluff formation

Another thing that can affect the appearance of upholstery fabrics is lint. These loose threads or fiber balls develop over time and can be removed with a lint comb or fabric clipper. This phenomenon is harmless and nothing to worry about.

Wear and tear

Unfortunately, all furniture fabrics wear out over time. How long they last naturally depends on how intensively they are used.

 Loose threads

Our seats are handmade and no matter how carefully we upholster them, threads can become loose in the fabric. You can push these back with a curved needle or cut them off. If you are in doubt, you can always contact our customer service department for advice.

Shade

Through use, false shadow spots are created. Shadow makes your furniture look as if water has been spilled on it. But it is not a stain, just a spot where the grain of the fabric does not point in a uniform direction and which appears darker or lighter than the rest of the fabric, depending on the point of view. This is just an optical effect and therefore has nothing to do with discoloration. The spots can be removed with a vacuum cleaner with a clean brush head and soft bristles. This restores the structure of the wood in one direction and, as an added bonus, removes dust and dirt.

FIRST AID FOR STAINS

Always experiment by cleaning an invisible part of the fabric first.

Stains caused by solids?

Remove the substance immediately with a spoon. Scrape the substance off, pressing it into the fabric as little as possible. Then pat dry with a napkin or clean tea towel.

Stains caused by liquids?

Do not rub! Dab the liquid with a napkin or clean tea towel dipped in lukewarm water, and repeat as often as necessary.