FAQ's regarding products found on this site
Furniture FAQs
If I purchase multiple pieces of furniture from the same collection, will they match exactly?
Wood growth is dependent on climate and soil and therefore no two trees are identical. Finished wood, whether veneer or solid, will exhibit differences which are part of the natural beauty of the timber from which it was cut. Small marks, cracks, mineral streaks, gum pockets and variations in grain are all natural features of real wood.
How should I care for and clean my furniture to keep it looking beautiful?
To remove surface dust, wipe with a soft, dry or slightly damp cotton or lambs wool cloth. We do not recommend the use of spray furniture polish but you may use a non-silicon based furniture wax from time to time. Maintaining a constant level of humidity and temperature in your home will help prevent cracking or drying of your furniture. Central heating, air conditioning and particularly dry atmospheres can cause fine lines (checking) to appear on veneered surfaces or in joints. This effect can be seen on antique furniture and distinguishes real wood from synthetic materials. It should not be a cause for concern. Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight, under a window or near a direct source of heat such as a radiator or fire. Strong sunlight can cause fading. As with any piece of fine furniture you should not place glasses, cups or hot objects directly onto the surface. A coaster should always be used. Ensure that any spill is wiped away immediately particularly hot liquids and alcohol. Care should be taken when placing planters and vases on your furniture as they may scratch the surface. Do not drag your furniture. This can break legs or feet and destabilize joints.
What should I know about leather and hide?
Leather is a naturally hardwearing and versatile material which will gain a characteristic and pleasing patina over time. Leather will show natural marks such wrinkles, scars, scratches and insect bites which are all normal. It is these characteristics that differentiate real hide from synthetic or reconstituted coverings. Do not place your leather or hide product in strong sunlight as this can cause fading. Spillages should be wiped up immediately. Do not allow the stain to dry. Light stains can be removed with a dilute solution of a neutral soap in lukewarm water. Take care not to soak the leather or hide. Occasionally pencil marks and other light marks can be removed by rubbing the area lightly with an eraser. If your leather or hide is heavily soiled we recommend professional cleaning.
Mirror FAQ’s
How do I choose between art and a mirror for my foyer?
It depends on what you want to accomplish. Art adds color, warmth, and personality to your home. Mirrors enlarge and expand a room, are handy to have for that last glance before a night on the town, and can make a powerful fashion statement.
I want to place a large mirror in our foyer, but how can I hang it securely?
This is not a problem if you have the right hanging hardware and a hammer. The best hanging hardware for most walls is the J-hook. It is designed to keep the nail that goes into the wall at a sharp angle, so that even in drywall, it will stay in place. It is important that the J-hook be properly weighted for the item you want to hang. On all Uttermost products, we include the proper J-hook and nails to make sure you have exactly the hardware you need for hanging each piece.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t hang my mirrors and pictures level on the first try. Any secrets?
The most common way to hang is to hold the mirror or picture against the wall where you want it to be, have someone else step back and level the item from sight, and then mark the wall with a pencil where the hangers should be. A level can be used to make sure the item is perfectly straight before the wall is marked. On the largest Uttermost mirrors, we provide a self-leveling adjustable J-hook. With this hardware, if the item is slightly uneven, the hangers can be adjusted without moving the nails from the wall.
What is the best way to clean my mirrors?
Mirrors or glass can be cleaned with any glass cleaner on the market and a clean cloth or paper towel. For cleaning or dusting a frame, only use a clean dry cloth. We do not recommend any cleaning solution be used on the frame.
What is the difference between a carved wood mirror frame and a moulded polyurethane frame?
Mostly the price. With today’s technology, a solid core polyurethane frame feels and looks like wood. It lasts just as long as wood and absorbs a finish just like wood. Most Uttermost frames are wood except for the more ornate frames which would have to be hand carved if crafted in wood. On these ornate frames, we use the latest technology in making our polyurethane frames as well as the richest hand finishes possible. The other type of frame construction we use frequently is metal, either wrought iron or hand forged steel.
Your frame finishes seem to have layers of color rather than just one color, why is this?
We take great pride in our complex, layered finishes. Uttermost finishes typically have a base coat of one or more colors, hand-laid silver or gold leaf, and then a series of stains, glazes, and hand distressing steps. This gives our frames a warm, rich feel, much like that favorite, old leather chair.
Framed mirrors really vary in price. Why is this?
There are many obvious reasons, but one less obvious reason is the frame finish. Frames can be finished very inexpensively with sprays, paper-wraps, and foil-wraps, but the more attractive finishes have numerous steps including hand-laid metal leaf and hand-antiquing. This gives a richer, deeper metallic finish like the Old World finishes of the past.
Does the bevel on a mirror add much to the cost?
Not as much as you may think. Straight bevels are cut and polished using current technology at a modest cost. Most shaped beveled mirrors require much more labor because they are cut and polished one at a time by hand. The wider the bevel, the more costly it is to produce. Uttermost mirror bevels are wider than most, and we consider the enhanced look and value well worth any additional cost.
I have a mirror that has black spots. Will it continue to corrode?
Probably. Older mirrors and mirrors not properly protected on the back tend to corrode over time as they are exposed to the natural elements of pollution, salt in the air, temperature and moisture changes, etc. Uttermost mirrors however, feature the latest technology to seal the mirror backs from all the natural elements. You should see no deterioration of our mirrors.
Will the humidity and changing temperatures in a bathroom damage a mirror or picture frame?
No. Good quality frame finishes are sealed with multiple coats of sealer or lacquer to withstand normal usage in a bathroom. All Uttermost frames are suitable for this type of use.
Art FAQ’s
How do I choose between art and a mirror for my foyer?
It depends on what you want to accomplish. Art adds color, warmth, and personality to your home. Mirrors enlarge and expand a room, are handy to have for that last glance before a night on the town, and can make a powerful fashion statement.
Your frame finishes seem to have layers of color rather than just one color, why is this?
We take great pride in our complex, layered finishes. Uttermost finishes typically have a base coat of one or more colors, hand-laid silver or gold leaf, and then a series of stains, glazes, and hand distressing steps. This gives our frames a warm, rich feel, much like that favorite, old leather chair.
I want to place a large piece of framed art in our foyer, but how can I hang it securely?
This is not a problem if you have the right hanging hardware and a hammer. The best hanging hardware for most walls is the J-hook. It is designed to keep the nail that goes into the wall at a sharp angle, so that even in drywall, it will stay in place. It is important that the J-hook be properly weighted for the item you want to hang. On all Uttermost large framed art, we include the proper J-hook and nails to make sure you have exactly the hardware you need for hanging each piece. Note that Uttermost small and medium sized framed art comes prewired for easy hanging. If your Uttermost framed art is not prewired, it is too large to be hung by wire. Please use your J-hook hardware to support and hang this item properly.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t hang my mirrors and pictures level on the first try. Any secrets?
The most common way to hang is to hold the mirror or picture against the wall where you want it to be, have someone else step back and level the item from sight, and then mark the wall with a pencil where the hangers should be. A level can be used to make sure the item is perfectly straight before the wall is marked. On the largest Uttermost mirrors, we provide a self-leveling adjustable J-hook. With this hardware, even if the item is slightly uneven, the hangers can be adjusted without moving the nails from the wall. In most cases, your art piece will come prewired to make hanging easier. We are able to provide this wiring on art and not on mirrors because art pieces usually weigh less than mirrors. Never wire the item yourself if it doesn’t come prewired.
What is the best way to clean my framed art?
For cleaning or dusting, only use a clean dry cloth. We do not recommend any cleaning solution be used on the frame or artwork.
What is the difference between a carved wood frame and a moulded polyurethane frame?
Mostly the price. With today’s technology, a solid core polyurethane frame feels and looks like wood. It lasts just as long as wood and absorbs a finish just like wood. Most Uttermost frames are wood except for the more ornate frames which would have to be hand carved if crafted in wood. On these ornate frames, we use the latest technology in making our polyurethane frames as well as the richest hand finishes possible. The other type of frame construction we use frequently is metal, either wrought iron or hand forged steel.
Framed art really varies in price. Why is this?
There are many obvious reasons, but one less obvious reason is the frame finish. Frames can be finished very inexpensively with sprays, paper-wraps, and foil-wraps, but the more attractive finishes have numerous steps including hand-laid metal leaf and hand-antiquing. This gives a richer, deeper metallic finish like the Old World finishes of the past.
I have purchased an Uttermost original painting, and it is not exactly like the photo in the catalog that I ordered from?
Uttermost paintings are painted one at a time by skilled artists and no two paintings are exactly alike.
Will the humidity and changing temperatures in a bathroom damage a mirror or picture frame?
No. Good quality frame finishes are sealed with multiple coats of sealer or lacquer to withstand normal usage in a bathroom. All Uttermost frames are suitable for this type of use.
Metal Wall Art FAQ’s
If I purchase multiple pieces of metal wall art from the same collection, will they match exactly?
They will be very close, but because the finish is applied in layers by hand, no two pieces are exactly the same.
Can I hang your metal wall art outdoors?
The construction of the metal wall art should hold up fine in the elements, and only the finish will change as it takes on a more weathered look over a period of time. In fact, many people prefer the more weathered finish. Please be aware that in time, if metal wall art is exposed to elements, it can begin to show some rust.
Accessory & Clock FAQ’s
Do your clocks need batteries?
Yes, almost all clocks use one AA battery, which is not included with the clock. The battery can easily be replaced when needed. All clocks are guaranteed quartz movements.
Is my clock ready for use after installing the batteries?
In some cases, the hands will require slight adjustment before using. Make sure that the hands do not touch. If they do touch, gently bend the hands away from each other until you are sure that they are no longer touching. On pendulum clocks, make sure that the pendulum arm swings freely. You are now ready to use your Uttermost clock.
Do your candleholder accessories include candles prepackaged with the item?
Yes, we include candles with all our candleholders as a convenience to the customer. These candles are designed specifically for each holder to complement the shape and color of the item.
Do you have any products that complement your console tables?
Yes, almost all of our console tables have a coordinating mirror and/or lamp to to with them. This makes it easy to accessorize and decorate around that table in your foyer or hallway. Please see our “related products” section when placing your order/reviewing your wish list, and you will find those coordinating items.
Lighting FAQ’s
What types of Lighting does Uttermost carry?
We carry a full complement of decorative lighting products for the home. This includes lamps of all types, as well as chandeliers, sconces, pendants, semi-flush mounts and vanity lights. We have something for every room in your home.
Do your lamps and other light fixtures match your mirrors?
In many cases, they do. They often share a finish or a design motif and work well together in the same room or environment. Please see the related products section in our online catalog/wish list for assistance in picking out matching/coordinating products.
Are Uttermost lamps and light fixtures hand finished?
Yes. We take great pride in the depth and character of our finishes. Our finishes are original and unique to Uttermost and developed with each item in mind. Each finish is a multi-step process that typically includes hand leafing in gold or silver, and many layers of glazes and stains. All finishes are applied by hand.
Are finishes other than those shown in the catalog available on Uttermost items?
We only offer the finishes as shown in the catalog. However, if this finish is not a match, keep looking...we have the most comprehensive group of finishes in the industry and you should find something that meets your needs.
What are your lamp bases made of?
Typically, they are constructed of wrought iron, porcelain, glass, leather, metal, hammered steel, cast aluminum, cast brass, or cast resin. The iron and steel is hand forged, while the cast materials are molded from an original hand carved original. Leathers are hand sewn and applied individually. The glass and porcelain are handcrafted, fired and time-cured in a furnace. The resin material is a very dense material that has the weight of hardwood, yet is much more durable.
Are all your lighting products UL/CUL and CSA approved?
Absolutely. All lamps and lighting fixtures are individually tested and approved to meet the most stringent guidelines in the U.S. and Canada.
How do I know what wattage bulb I can use?
This information is given by item in our catalogs and website, and it’s also on each lamp socket.
When an item is marked with maximum wattage, is this per socket or in total?
Wattage is per socket. We list the maximum….however, lower wattage bulbs can also be used. Never use a bulb that exceeds the maximum recommended wattage on the socket.
How do I clean my lamp or light fixture?
Lamp bases or shades can be cleaned or dusted with a clean, soft, dry cloth. Be careful not to use abrasives…they may damage the finish. Glass can be removed and washed with soap and water. We do not recommend using cleaning solutions.
Are lampshades interchangeable?
All lamps are designed with their own particular style, shape and size shade. We do not offer shade options at this time.
________________________________________________________________________________Sources:
Theodore Alexander, Caring For Your Furniture
[http://www.theodorealexander.com/YourFurniture.aspx], excerpts retrieved January 28, 2008
The Uttermost Company, Uttermost FAQ, Lighting Fixtures, Lamps, Mirrors, Home Decor
[http://www.uttermost.com/faqs.aspx], excerpts retrieved January 28, 2008
