Furniture FAQs

Some of our Frequently Asked Furniture Questions.

Call or email us if you need additional information regarding the question or answer you seek.

Furniture Showroom |Crafting & Shipping | Caring For Your Fine Wood Furniture | De-mystifying Furniture Descriptions | Measuring, Modifying &Customizing | Ordering & Paying  | Returns & Cancellations | Veneers | Website/Terms of Use |

 

Furniture Showroom

 

Do you have a Furniture Showroom?

Because our furniture is all made to order, we do not maintain a large inventory, however we do have a small furniture showroom in Vernon, Vermont that is available by appointment only.

Since most of our customers are ordering their furniture online, we made the decision after last year's fire, to downsize our showroom and pass that savings on to you.

We have a couple of options for those who would like to see our furniture in person. Give us a call or email us and we'll discuss the best option for you:

• If you're looking to see a specific piece that you've found on our website, contact us and we'll link you up with the craftsperson who makes that piece. Oftentimes, our craftspeople have a small showroom adjacent to their studios where they welcome visitors.
• If on the other hand, you're looking to get a general idea of our quality and craftsmanship, contact us to arrange an appointment in our Vernon furniture showroom. Here we have a small number of pieces made by various craftspeople that can convey an overview of our styles and craftsmanship.  We do emphasize-- especially before customers travel any distance-- that this in not your typical furniture showroom.  We are located on an organic horse farm in rural Vermont and we occupy a small building in between the farmhouse and the barn.  Our space is mainly used for administrative activities, but we do have a small inventory of furniture items as well as wood and finish samples.  We welcome customers warmly but just want to make sure you are aware of our situation and know what to expect.
• We do have future plans for larger showrooms in a few key locations, when the economy can support it.  Stay posted on our eco furniture blog.

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Crafting & Shipping

 

How long will it take to get my furniture from the date of purchase?

• At Vermont Woods Studios, each piece of handcrafted furniture is made to order.
• The standard lead time for our craftspeople to complete your furniture is 4-12 weeks, depending on the specific items ordered.
• Then, depending on where you live, it will take about 1-4 weeks for shipping and delivery using our FREE White-Glove Blanket Wrap Shipping Option.

Why is there so much uncertainty in the lead time for crafting my furniture?

At Vermont Woods Studios, we represent several different furniture makers throughout Vermont.  The timeframe for crafting your furniture depends on which studio is crafting your items, what their backlog is at the time of purchase and the complexity and/or degree of customization of your furniture.  We can give you a pretty good estimate of crafting time once we know which items you are interested in and we assure you that we will get your furniture to you as soon as possible, without compromising our high standards of quality.

I'm in a RUSH. How can I get my order faster?

Many of our furniture pieces are available as RUSH items.  This means that your order will immediately go to the front of the furniture maker's queue.  After crafting, your furniture will be express shipped.  This means that the total time from order to delivery is 3-5 weeks.  There is a 25% upcharge for RUSH orders.  You can use our drop-down menus on available product pages to select the RUSH option for faster crafting and shipping of your fine furniture.  The upcharge will be added to your order at checkout.

What is the difference between Quick Craft and RUSH Craft?

• Our Quick Craft™ program includes about 25 of our most popular items.  We will have your Quick Craft™ items built within 2-3 weeks of purchase. 
• There is no extra charge for Quick Craft™ items.
• Our RUSH Craft program enables you to purchase most of our standard (non-custom) furniture items, have them crafted within 2-3 weeks of purchase and shipped via Express Shipping, for an upcharge of 25%.  
• This upcharge will appear in your shopping cart at checkout.

How fast is Express Shipping and how much does it cost?

• Our Express Shiping service takes only 2-10 days for shipping and delivery.  
• There is a 10% upcharge for Express Ship which will appear in your shopping cart at checkout.  This charge is waived if the item is small enough to ship via Fed Ex.  Select Free Express Shipping in the drop-down menu for crafting and shipping of small occasional tables.  Call for details.
• By using Quick Craft™ and Express Ship together, you can receive your handcrafted furniture order within about 3-4 weeks of purchase.

Is regular White Glove Shipping and Delivery Free anywhere in the USA?

• Just about.  Free shipping is offered for almost all locations in the lower 48 states, with a few exceptions, for example islands and other remote locations where access is particularly difficult.  If access to your home or office is difficult, please be sure to let us know at the time of order so we can advise you at that time if additional charges apply.
• Custom artisan furniture does not include free shipping.  Call or email for details.
  

Do you ship internationally?

• Yes, we ship internationally.
• Current exchange rates help to offset the cost of international shipping.
• Customers in Canada will find purchasing from Vermont Woods Studios to be much like their domestic purchasing processes, however shipping, duties and fees must be quoted for each individual order prior to the sale.
• Customers in Europe, Asia, Africa and other overseas locations should be aware that certain additional charges for shipping, crating and import duties will apply.
• We typically advise overseas customers seeking a competitive price that a minimum order of $25,000 is required to overcome the additional costs of shipping and importation.

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Caring For Your Fine Wood Furniture

 

What causes contrasts or grain variations in the same hardwood?

• It is not uncommon to find different grain contrasts in the same piece of solid wood furniture.
• The lighter grain was closer to the tree’s bark (sapwood) and the darker grain was closer to the tree’s center (heartwood).  
• Cheaper furniture that is mass-produced is often made of wood that has undergone a multi-step chemical process of bleaching, texturizing and staining in order to masque these natural characteristics of wood.  
• At Vermont Woods Studios we prefer the real thing.

What effect do natural markings have on my furniture?

• Natural markings should not be viewed as flaws.
• They have absolutely no effect on your furniture’s durability or structural integrity.
• Mineral deposits and other characteristics are much like the nubs you find in such fine fabrics as silk and linen; they are true indications of genuine quality.

What kind of finish does my furniture have?

• The product description for each piece of our furniture includes the type of finish or finish options you many choose from. 
• Most furniture has a clear, non-toxic lacquer, low-sheen, matte finish which is very durable and easily maintained. 
• The furniture in our Cherry Moon, American Shaker and Vermont-Made Shaker Collections is available in a choice of hand-rubbed finishes: natural oil or a synthetic/natural oil blend. 
• The natural oil finish is very beautiful, but customers should understand that it is less resistant to spills and requires periodic oiling (about 1-4 times/year, depending on where you live). 
• The synthetic/natural oil blend offers a look and feel much like the natural oil, but provides greater resistance to spills and humidity changes.  

How do I maintain the finish?

• We include easy-furniture-care instructions with your furniture. 
• Be sure to keep these instructions handy and follow them consistenly throughout the life of the furniture.

What should I use for wood care?

• Although it is not necessary, you may feel free to use commerical polishing products on your furniture.
• Do be sure to use the same type of polish consistently.  Your furniture finish may appear cloudy or streaky if oil-based and wax-based polishes are interchanged.
• Products containing silicone oil are not recommended because oil can seep through cracks in the finish into the wood and can ruin a new finish later.
• Never use products containing ammonia as they will harm your finish.  

What can I do to prevent damage to my furniture?

• Always use a coaster and/or hot mat, even though the finish is water and heat resistant.
• Placing hot items on furniture can cause a chemical change in the finish that results in white rings or spots.
• Do not place anything with rubber bases or feet on the finish, as the rubber may have a chemical reaction with the finish.
• Lift, don't slide, objects on wood. Place objects on trivets, tablecloths, doilies or others covers to protect the finish.
• Use felt bottoms on trivets, lamps and other decorative objects. Avoid brightly colored felt because its color could leach into the wood.
• Some experts say brown is the best color choice.
• Keep solvents such as nail polish remover, alcohol and paint thinner away from wood furniture because they can harm the finish. Alcohol is contained in colognes, perfumes and medications as well as in wine, beer and liquor.
• Fingerprints, perspiration and body oils can harm a finish over time, especially on chairs.
• Plants and flower nectar that touch the finish can cause permanent stains.
• Placing hot items on furniture can cause a chemical change in the finish that results in white rings or spots.
• Do not leave plastic objects lying on wood surfaces.
• Color from plastic tablecloths, appliance covers, wrappers, place mats and toys can leach into wood over time.
• Plastic can also stick to a finish, damaging it when it is pulled up.
• Writing on the finished surface may cause indentations to the finish and wood.

Do I need to use any special techniques when moving my furniture?

• Lift heavy furniture with the help of at least two people.
• Sliding pieces could hurt the wood floor and damage furniture legs by applying too much sideways pressure.

Does humidity affect my furniture?

• Wood is very sensitive to changes in relative humidity.
• As the weather changes, furniture is constantly expanding and contracting.
• Although our designs and joinery accommodate for the expansion and contraction of solid wood as the humidity changes, wood does best in moderate conditions of around 70ºF to 72ºF and relative humidity of about 50-55%.
• We recommend the use of humidifiers in your home to maintain the appropriate humidity level for your solid wood furniture.
• Wood is most likely to crack when the climate in a home suddenly changes from hot and humid to cool and dry.
• Avoid placing furniture in front of radiators, heat runs or fireplaces.
• Store table leaves as close as possible to the table so they adjust to the same humidity conditions.

Will sunlight affect my furniture?

• Avoiding bright or direct sunlight will not only keep your furniture from drying out but will help prevent discoloration.
• It is also advisable to avoid spots, especially on cherry furniture, by not leaving items in one place on the surface for long periods of time.

What if I need to place my furniture in storage?

• You should use extreme caution when storing solid wood furniture for any length of time, even when it's stored in a "climate-controlled" facility.
• Extreme variations in temperature and humidity can harm the wood and the finish, in some cases causing irreparable damage.
• If your furniture is damaged due to these circumstances, it will not be covered under your guarantee.

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De-mystifying Furniture Descriptions

 

Some of your bureaus are listed as “8/10 drawer dressers”, “7/8 drawer chests”, etc..

Bureaus described as 7/8 drawer chests or 8/10 drawer dressers, etc., indicate that the top drawer or drawers is/are actually one drawer divided into 2 sections.

Is my furniture made of solid hardwood?

• The vast majority of our furniture at Vermont Woods Studios is made of all natural solid hardwoods, predominantly maple, cherry, oak and walnut.
• As with most high-end furniture however, our case goods (for example dressers, chests and armoires) often have an unfinished light-weight back made of poplar or birch wood. 
• This design enables us to reduce the weight of an item which is important for shipping and moving the item around in your home. 
• If you prefer a solid wood back for your case goods, please let us know and we will be happy to customize your pieces for you.

Are veneers used in my furniture?

• Three of our collections, Cherry Moon, American Shaker and Vermont Made Shaker, incorporate veneer into the sides of case goods only (no veneers are used in case goods frames or drawers or in the tables, chairs, or beds in these collections). 
• These are our most high-end collections and the veneer we use is solid wood (natural cherry, maple or walnut) of the highest quality available applied to a solid poplar wood core. 
• If you look closely at the sides of these pieces you will notice that wider boards with exquisite grains are used.
• If you prefer solid wood sides for these case goods, please let us know and we will be happy to customize your pieces for you.
• The Vermont Modern Bed and most of our sleigh beds also incorporate veneers in the headboards and footboards, as this is essential for stability, given the characteristics of wood movement.  We do have the Slat Sleigh Bed which is a solid wood bed specifically designed for customers looking for solid wood only sleigh beds.

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Measuring & Modifying

 

How do I measure for my furniture?

• Once you’ve selected your furniture, it’s important to ensure it can fit through all the entryways, elevators and stairways of your home.
• Prior to ordering, be sure to determine whether your new furniture will fit into your space.
• Plan your layout, noting the position of windows, doors, light fixtures, heating vents and electrical outlets.
• Measure height and width of all the doorways, both inside and out, through which your furniture will need to pass.
• Don’t forget to note the dimensions of interior hallways and the presence of fixtures, banisters or interior walls that could limit entryway clearance or be obstacles to movement.
• Measure your furniture’s height, depth and width, along with diagonal dimension.
• Compare residence and furniture dimensions to ensure your furniture will fit through all doorways and passageways.

I have ordered an upholstered dining chair and have chosen to send my own fabric for the seat. 
How much fabric do I need to send?
Where do I send my fabric?
How much time do I have to to send it?

• If you ordered 1 or 2 chairs you will typically need to send 3/4 yard of 56-inch wide upholstery fabric per chair.  
• If you ordered 3 or more chairs, you will typically need to send only 1/2 yard of 56-inch wide upholstery fabric per chair.  
• Additional fabric may be required to accommodate patterns or directionals.  
• For leather seats, send 7 square feet of leather per chair.  
• Send your fabric to:  

Vermont Woods Studios COM
c/o Cheryl at Lyndon Furniture
1135 Industrial Parkway
Lyndon, VT 05849

• Be sure to include your name, address and phone number with your fabric.
• Fabric must be received within 3-4 weeks of your purchase to avoid delay.

I don't see exactly what I need on your website.
Would it be possible to modify an existing piece to achieve the dimensions and finish I'm looking for?

Absolutely.  Since we build each piece of furniture to order, it is no problem to make modifications and often the price will remain the same, or increase only slightly.

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Ordering & Paying

 

How do I place an order?

• You can shop online by adding items to your shopping cart using the BUY buttons.
• Complete your contact information and then use the checkout function to submit your order.
• If we have any questions or need additional information, we will give you a follow-up call.
• You can also place an order by contacting us toll free at 1-888-390-5571.

How I pay for my purchases?

We accept MasterCard, Visa and PayPal.

Do you charge taxes?

We do not charge taxes if you live outside of Vermont and your items are delivered to your non-Vermont residence. Vermont residents must pay the 6% Vermont State sales tax, plus any additional applicable local taxes.

How do I track my order?

For questions regarding the status of your order, call us toll free at 1-888-390-5571.

Is the information I give you secure?

• Yes. We have implemented the strongest security available for Vermont Woods Studios from GlobalSign and PayPal.
• The Global Sign SSL Security Certificate software enables the use of digital certificates which confirm that your browser is communicating securely with our website.
• If you have any questions about our security and privacy policies, the practices of our website, or your dealings with our website, please contact our Customer Service team.

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Furniture Returns & Cancellations

 

What is Vermont Woods Studios' return/cancellation policy?

• Returns will be accepted within 30 days if accompanied by a valid sales receipt.
• Items must be in “as-new” condition.
• Pending inspection, a credit or refund will be issued for the item value less a 30% restocking fee.
• Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer.
• Custom and special orders are not returnable.
• Orders (including RUSH orders) may be cancelled within 24 hours of placement without penalty
• Orders may be cancelled between 24-72 hours of placement with a 5% administrative fee. (Does not apply to RUSH orders.)
• We are unable to cancel any orders after 72 hours of placement, as our agreement with your furniture builder will have already been implemented.
• We are unable to cancel RUSH orders after 24 hours of placement, as our agreement with your furniture builder will have already been implemented.
• Orders abandoned upon delivery are subject to a 50% restocking fee, plus shipping charges.

How do I return a furniture item?

• Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer.
• To return your furniture, you first must call (1-888-390-5571) and obtain a return authorization number before returning any item.
• Custom and special orders are not returnable.

 Website Use

I can't read the print size on some of your web pages.
Is there a way to make the font bigger?

• Different browser configurations result in different font sizes on your computer screen.
• For MS Windows users, the easiest way to fix this is to simply hold down your CTRL key and press the [+] key at the same time.
• To make the font size smaller hold down your CTRL key and press the [-] key at the same time.
• Mac users use the COMMAND (or Apple) key with the [+] key or [-] key.

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