Our
materials
Our high standards for the quality, feel and appearance of our furniture as well as our connection to nature are reflected in the careful selection of our materials.
Birch plywood panels for furniture and kitchen cabinets
We rely on birch plywood panels, a durable material known for its strength, that are robust enough to withstand everyday wear and tear and keep their shape for years to come. Birch plywood is largely moisture resistant and is therefore well-suited for kitchen or bathroom furniture. The compact material is of superior quality and is a high-grade alternative to particleboard or MDF (fiberboard).
The birch plywood panels are either oiled or colour varnished and then coated with a melamine resin. The translucent, coloured surface emphasizes the grain of the wood, and is odourless and easy to clean.
We source our birch plywood panels from Koskisen, an experienced and renowned manufacturer, whose entire chain of production is ecologically minded.
Birch plywood colours
Oiled, natural
Oiled, white
White
Gray
Blue
Green
Brown
Care instructions
Do not place any greasy, wet, warm or cold objects directly on the wooden surface, as they can leave permanent marks.
Commercially available cleaning products (without abrasive ingredients) can be used to clean varnished surfaces. The surface should be dried after cleaning to prevent water damage.
Naturally oiled furniture brings out the natural wood colour and grain, which increases the tactile sensation of the wood texture. However, they are much more sensitive and susceptible to dirt, water and chemicals. When cleaning naturally oiled furniture, we recommend cleaning the surface with a lint-free cloth and water or mild soapy water. The cloth should only be used when damp. Remove soap residue with a dry cloth.
In case of severe stains or surface damage, the surface can be sanded and re-oiled. Stubborn spills (e.g. wine, coffee) must be wiped off and dried immediately. Otherwise, they will soak deep into the wood and will be very difficult to remove.
Be aware that UV rays can lead to variations in the colour. The natural color and texture differences are normal and speak for the quality of the natural material. They give character to the material and the furniture.
Slight, unavoidable scratches on the surface of the material may arise during production. When assembling the furniture, a final quality control is carried out by our staff.
We would like to mention that birch plywood panels can change their shape minimally when exposed to different temperatures or humidity. This is natural, because wood absorbs moisture and releases it in a dry indoor climate.
HPL for countertops and surfaces
High-pressure laminate (HPL) consists of a core layer of several resin impregnated hard papers and a layer of decorative paper covered by a final clear melamine resin impregnated overlay paper.
HPL is a very durable and long-lasting material that is abrasion and scratch resistant. The material does not stain, and the colour will not fade. HPL is also water and chemical resistant and easy to clean.
The material is resistant to alcohol, most acids, alkalis and fats. It is fade-resistant and odourless and is used for particularly hard-wearing surfaces such as tabletops, kitchen and laboratory furniture, countertops and the like.
We use HPL as a coating on our birch plywood countertops for surfaces that will be subject to heavy use, or for customers who want to avoid their kitchen countertop changing over time.
HPL Colours
Black
Soft White
Came Beige
Cashmere Grey
Pearl Grey
Stone Grey
Monument Grey
Mustard Yellow
Terracotta
Pale Pink
Denim Blue
Care instructions
HPL is a very low-maintenance material. Only intense heat should be avoided. Hot objects, such as pots or pans, can leave a light imprint on the material or cause small blisters to form.
HPL - Anti-Fingerprint for countertops and surfaces
HPL-Anti-Fingerprint is an electron beam hardened lacquer surface with a soft, velvety texture. It is abrasion, impact and scratch resistant and has a special anti-fingerprint coating. The material is also highly resistant to micro-scratches. We process this durable and colourfast material on our birch plywood panels.
HPL - Anti-Fingerprint Colours
Volcanic Black
Care instructions
A soft and lint-free cloth should be used for cleaning - no microfiber cloths or dirt erasers. Light household cleaning agents without abrasive components can be used. These should then be rinsed completely with water. Finally, the surface should be dried with a dry cloth to prevent water damage.
Spilled fluids, especially tea, coffee or wine, should be cleaned up immediately and the affected area should then be dried with a soft lint-free cloth.
Intense heat should be avoided. Hot objects, such as pots or pans, can leave a light imprint on the material or cause small blisters to form.
Three-layer boards for furniture and kitchen cabinets
As the name suggests, 3-layer boards consist of three layers of solid wood boards glued together - either spruce or stone pine. The middle layer runs crosswise in relation to the grain direction, i.e. at a 90-degree angle to the grain direction of the outer layers. This gives the material very high dimensional stability and load-bearing capacity, i.e. the boards expand only slightly with changes in temperature, which, among other things, significantly reduces their susceptibility to cracking.
As genuine natural wood panels, they are ideally suited for furniture fronts or wall panelling.
Three-layer boards colours
White Oiled Spruce
Stone pine
Care instructions
It is a natural process that stone pine and spruce wood darkens slightly after some time. UV radiation in particular can lead to colour changes. Natural differences in colour and texture, e.g. due to knotholes, are also normal and underline the quality of the natural material. They give the material and thus the furniture a characteristic appearance.
For cleaning of 3-layer boards, we recommend cleaning the surface with a lint-free cloth made of cotton or microfibre and warm water or neutral soap water. The cloth should only be used damp. Remove soap residues with a dry cloth.
Under no circumstances should you use corrosive or aggressive cleaning agents. In case of very heavy staining, the surface can be sanded. Though stains (e.g. wine, coffee) must be wiped off/dried immediately. Otherwise they will soak deeply into the wood and are therefore difficult to remove.
Attention: stone pine and spruce are relatively soft woods. Improper treatment may therefore result in dents and cuts.
Stone pine for SOFIA and custom furniture
Stone pine wood is said to have positive health benefits. Scientists from the JOANNEUM RESEARCH research company in Weiz found that stone pine wood could help improve the recovery process. According to their results, the stone pine wood lowers the heart rate during physical and mental stress.
The wood is light and refined with a distinctive, beautiful grain. Also because of the essential oils inside, it exudes a very pleasant scent.
We source our stone pine wood from different lumber mills in our local area of South Tyrol.
Material
Stone pine
Care instructions
It is natural and normal for stone pine wood to darken somewhat with time. UV exposure in particular can lead to colour changes. Natural colour and texture differences, e.g. due to knots in the wood, are also normal and underline the quality of the natural material. They give the material and the furniture character.
The surface of pine wood is smooth and it is not recommended to treat it with oil or wax.
Do not place any greasy, wet, warm or cold objects directly on the wooden surface, as they can leave permanent marks.
Stone pine wood is best cleaned without any cleaning products. Just use a damp cloth with warm water. Important: The wet wood should dry slowly. Quick drying could lead cracks to form in the wood.
Attention: Stone pine is a relatively soft wood. Therefore, improper treatment can cause bruises and gouges to form in the wood.
Spruce for SOFIA and custom furniture
Spruce, like stone pine, is a light and soft wood, but it is less fragrant. The light, yellowish-white color of spruce wood has a natural silky sheen. The wood dries very quickly and is not susceptible to cracking. Spruce is a domestic wood and is considered a rapidly renewable resource.
We source our spruce wood from different lumber mills in our local area of South Tyrol.
Material
White Oiled Spruce
Care instructions
It is natural and normal for spruce wood to darken somewhat with time. UV exposure in particular can lead to colour changes. Natural colour and texture differences, e.g. due to knots in the wood, are also normal and underline the quality of the natural material. They give the material and the furniture character.
Do not place any greasy, wet, warm or cold objects directly on the wooden surface, as they can leave permanent marks.
To clean the surface, we recommend using a lint-free cloth and water or gentle soapy water. Remove soap residue with a dry cloth.
Attention: Spruce is a relatively soft wood. Therefore, improper treatment can cause bruises and gouges to form in the wood.
Fabric for SOFIA
Linen
Compared to cotton, linen has many advantages. Linen is naturally germicidal and dirt repellent, plus the fabric does not form lint and is very tear resistant.
We source our linen covers from Herman Kühebacher, an artisan weaver who produces his natural textiles by hand in South Tyrol without using any chemical treatments. Herman Kühebacher obtains the raw material from various, small cooperatives (farmers who unite to sell their products directly) and processes them into our linen covers.
Linen
Linen, blue
Care instructions
Linen fabric is relatively durable and can be washed and ironed at high temperatures without issue.
Linen fabric is washable up to 60 ° and should be ironed while still warm and slightly damp.
The fabric may develop slight white patches due to creasing in the washing machine.
Velour
The velour we use is 100% cotton and has a soft, velvety feel. Over time, velour fabrics can form pressure marks that are caused by pressure, heat and moisture, which look like stains. This so-called ‘chafing’ is characteristic of velour.
We source our velour covers from various manufacturers in Italy.
Velour
Velour, black
Care instructions
Generally, velour fabric should be cleaned with as little liquid as possible. To clean, spray dry shampoo onto a damp, wrung out sponge and rub it into the area that needs cleaning.
After cleaning, brush the surface with a soft brush in the direction of the pile.