Our oak ranges in colour from grey-beige to a light honey brown. The grain is dark yet subtle when oak is finished naturally. Long known for its hardness and durability, oak evokes strong feelings thanks to its near mythical properties. When sanded this timber is pleasantly aromatic. White oak also has properties that make it far more resistant to water and rot than many other timbers. Small fissures and fine lines normally occur over time increasing the character and individuality of your oak furniture. Oak may develop small cracks during the winter months or under other dry conditions. These cracks may decrease or disappear with additions of humidity as the timber swells.

The timber we use is sustainably harvested in the United States. The trees on the farms are pruned regularly to allow for consistent grain patterns and fewer knots, ensuring exceptionally strong planks of the highest quality. Mortise and tenon joints, dovetailing and lap joints combined with slow-drying wood glue that seeps deep into the fibres of the solid wood create strong, unbreakable bonds adding long life to every piece of furniture we make.

Care Instructions

De La Espada finishes oak with a traditional wood oil finish which is applied by even application to the oak planks. This finish seals the pores of the timber, enhancing the natural structure of the wood and forming a water repellent protection against everyday wear and tear. This finish deepens the natural colour of the timber, leaving the oak with a honey-brown appearance. One important benefit is the relative ease with which damage is repaired, as the timber can be reapplied with oil at any moment. We recommend you use only products supplied or approved by De La Espada.

For daily maintenance of tabletops and shelves use a damp cloth or sponge with clean water, wiping down the whole surface as one. When done correctly, this procedure should deal with any small hairline scratches, daily wear and tear and dust build up. Do not concentrate cleaning or wiping on small patches/areas of the tabletop or shelves, even if the mark/tarnish is located in one particular part of the surface. This will cause the surface to appear patchy due to uneven wiping and rubbing. Do not use spirits, bleaches or any other chemical cleaners to clean the timber.

Please ensure that direct contact with hot objects is avoided by using tablemats. Avoid spillages and do not use any corrosive products such as bleach anywhere near the timber. Any spillages should be wiped clean immediately. Once the immediate spillage is cleared, ensure that the whole surface is wiped clean.

For long-term general maintenance, periodic cleaning using a clean cloth, sponge or brush is required. Ideally, the furniture should be cleaned in the following way once every six months, or at least not less than once a year, so that over time the wood absorbs more and more oil making the piece more repellent to marks or staining. Periodic cleaning procedure: Apply the oil evenly to the freshly cleaned surface. Distribute a suitable quantity of oil relative to the surface (i.e. table tops will require more than the leg of a chair). Apply the oil spreading it evenly over the surface. The oil should lie glossy and wet on the wood for around 15 minutes. Add more oil if it dries out. After 15 minutes wipe the surface with clean, dry, cotton cloths so that no surplus oil remains on the wood, please note it is important to mop surplus oil as this can dry and leave streaking on the finish. The oak surface should be ready for use again after approximately 8 hours, though should ideally be left to dry for 24 hours. During the first 2-8 hours the new oiled surfaces will appear to sweat, this is normal, although it is important for these beads to be mopped up using either cotton cloths or standard kitchen towel. For heavily soiled furniture a natural horsehair brush can be used, cleaning along the direction of the wood grain before the oil application is made. Never use ferrous or plastic materials to rub, as this can damage the surface.

For grease marks, scratches, stains (i.e. red wine, coffee etc.) and heavy wear and tear use a natural hairbrush to clean the worktop as a whole, with water. Concentrate a little more on the area immediately affected by the aforementioned conditions. Once this is complete allow the surface to dry. Then use some (fine) 240 grit sand paper on a sanding block to lightly sand the entire surface always following the grain of the wood. This will smooth the wood removing any scratches and stains. Ensure that the tabletop or shelf surface is dusted down after this process is complete. Then reapply the danish oil following the above instructions.

Please note that after maintenance is carried out on the furniture and oil has been reapplied the surface may look slightly uneven or patchy, this is normal for a hand-applied product. Once dry the oil can be rubbed down with a scotch bright or very fine sand paper to help smooth the finish and make it appear more even.

Keep away from extreme temperatures and climate changes. Not for use near a radiator. Every care has been taken in manufacture to stabilize the wood to avoid warping and to allow for expansion and contraction of the timber without problems. However, it is essential that you care for your solid wood furniture by normalizing its living conditions as much as possible. A humidifier can provide a consistent climate for the wood so it does not dry out during the winter months.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION - Always protect your hands with gloves when applying oil. Oily cloths can spontaneously combust if not disposed of properly. When you are finished applying the oil, immediately immerse the cloth in water, then put the wet cloth in a plastic bag and seal the bag with a knot. Do not store oil near sources of extreme temperature. Do not take internally. Keep out of reach of children.