For care information and warranties for our partner brands, please see product specification sheets or enquire for further information. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries about the best way to care for your new furniture.

Sofas

Sofas with feather cushioning are stitched to prevent the feather fill sagging; however it is still important that all cushions, no matter what their composition, are regularly turned and plumped to ensure that they retain their shape. Feathers within the cushions are encased within an envelope of “downproof fabric” specially produced to minimise the movement of feathers.

Fabrics

Maintain your upholstery by vacuuming it regularly with a soft upholstery attachment. Try to avoid placing fabric in direct sunlight, and use curtains and blinds to protect your furniture when possible. Try to avoid spot cleaning, but if necessary try blotting the spot with a paper towel or clean microfibre cloth. Avoid rubbing as this will create a larger stain and could potentially damage the structure of the fabric. If further care is required, please check the specific cleaning requirements of your fabric to ensure that the appropriate method is used that will ensure no further damage and the best possible removal of any stain. 

Simon James Upholstery is under warranty for 10 years for manufacturing related defects on construction, frames and fill. Fabric warranties are with the fabric supplier.

Timber

It is important to remember that timber is a living material. The wood, although no longer growing as part of a tree, is still very much a part of its environment, responding to light, temperature, humidity, and wear. Please avoid leaving the furniture in direct sunlight, or under heat pumps/air conditioning units for prolonged periods of time as it may cause excessive movement in the timber. As the timber ages, the natural colour will mellow and deepen. This is part of a natural process due to oxidation of the wood and finish along with the ultraviolet light present in sunlight.

The lacquer or water finish on your furniture should provide years of protection against dirt and moisture. Still, it is important to note that care must be taken to prevent any excess moisture coming in contact with the piece. Spot cleaning with a clean, damp cloth is fine, but we do not recommend having excess water on the surface and always use a new cloth to dry afterwards. It is important to ensure that any liquid spilled on the surface is wiped up immediately. Keep an eye on any vases or table runners left on the table as moisture sitting under either has the potential to cause damage. 

Please note we have changed timber finishes in the process of reviewing our colour stains. If you are unsure of the finish used on your timber furniture that you ordered in the past, please check your original sales order or contact us before using a cleaner or oil that you have not used before.

Timber – Water Based Lacquer Finish

Ecru, Mist, Natural Oak, Smoked Oak, Bark, Dark Almond, Black

We recommend cleaning the lacquered surface with a product that declares suitability for a lacquered timber surface. Cleansers should contain no ammonia, which can dissolve lacquers, nor abrasives, nor bleach, nor methylated spirits. It is important to remember when cleaning, always start with the weakest solution (plain water) and work toward stronger substances should they prove necessary.

Timber – Oiled Finish

Rubio 5% Mist, Rubio Pure, Rubio Smoked Oak, Rubio Black

The Rubio Finish on your furniture attaches to the wood fibres by means of a molecular bond, creating a durable, long lasting protection for timber. Every time you clean your table with the recommended Rubio Cleaners you are nourishing and further protecting the timber surface. Any general household cleaner, or chemical cleaners should be avoided. Treating with the Rubio Refresh Spray periodically, but no more than three times yearly, will extend the life of the finish and your furniture. If the treated surface starts showing wear and tear, or needs a colour repair, you can maintain it with Rubio Oil. There are also specialist cleaners available from the finish manufacturer to address grease marks, white rings or tannin stains should it be required. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions when using these products to ensure the best possible results.

Simon James Timber products are under warranty for 5 years for manufacturing related defects.

Outdoor Timber

Outdoor timbers such as Iroko and Rosewood will weather and patina with outdoor use, and transform to silver in tone. To maintain the integrity of your outdoor timbers it is important to regularly clean and maintain the furniture over time, as the wet and dry process of outdoor conditions is the main cause of degradation. We recommend wiping spills as soon as possible, and if build up of grime occurs gently scrub with water and a soft bristle brush. We do not recommend high pressure water such as water blasters as this can damage the timber surface. To maintain the finish over time, semi-regular oiling with an outdoor timber oil is recommended.

Simon James Outdoor warranty covers manufacturing defects for two years and does not cover general wear from outdoor elements and standard use.

HPL

High Pressure Laminate is a very durable surface, however if you do get marking, to clean - simply wipe down using a damp cloth, or alternatively mild soapy water, and dry off with a towel or rag. For a more stubborn mark a rubber eraser or a multi-purpose surface household cleaner can be used, be careful to avoid any cleaners that are mildly abrasive.

Marble

As a natural stone, we recommend looking after marble surfaces with the same care that you would fine wood finishes. The honed finish of the stone will remain slightly porous, so penetrating sealers are applied at the time of manufacture to keep the natural look of the stone and offer some protection. We recommend cleaning the surface with a Lithofin product called Easy Clean. It can be used as frequently as daily, or just weekly. Alternatively, wash with warm water and dry off with a clean cloth.

It is important not to use any products that contain acidic/citric based chemicals. Protect the surface from abrasions and scratching by using felt bases or mats, and always wipe up any spills immediately to prevent staining. Heat will scorch this material so please use coasters under any hot items placed onto the surface.

Brass

Our brass furniture is finished with a wax coating that can be easily re-applied and renewed. The surface can generally be cleaned just by buffing the brass with a clean soft rag. Should you need to reapply the wax we recommend clear Briwax. Gently apply a small amount with an extra fine 0000 gauge Briwax steel wool and leave to dry before buffing off with a soft cloth.

Glass

You can use either glass cleaner and paper towels or a lint-free towel to clean the glass surface. Be sure to change out towels as they get damp and dirty, this will help to prevent any streaking of the surface. Never use razor blades or anything similar to remove anything stuck to the surface, blades or scrapers can dislodge ‘pickup’ on toughened glass, these are fine particles that are fused to the surface during toughening, once dislodged they can scratch the surface.

Powder Coated Steel

Always maintain your powder coated surface by gently washing with a clean, soft cloth and a mild detergent followed by a clear water rinse and dry with a soft cloth or towel. Even though powder coating is a highly resistant finish, it can sometimes mark, if this occurs use Handy Andy or Janola diluted with a ratio of 1 to 3 parts of water. Always test on an inconspicuous area first to make sure no staining or marking occurs.

Chromed Steel

Regularly wipe chrome with a mild soap and water solution and dry off with a towel or rag. Never use harsh chemical cleaners or detergents to clean the chrome. Jiff or baking soda products on a damp cloth should only ever be used to remove heavy deposits that might appear on the chrome finish. Chrome plating is a micro-porous finish and will absorb moisture. The chrome surface, if not wiped down regularly, may develop rust spots on the surface.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel surfaces thrive with frequent cleaning because there is no surface coating to wear off stainless steels. A soft cloth and clean warm water should always be the first choice; organic solvents are good for the removal of fingerprints, oil and grease. The preferred solvent is one that does not contain chlorine, such as acetone. In all cases the cleaned surface should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water and wiped dry with a soft cloth.

Rugs

Simon James Rugs are made with care for longevity. To make sure your rug maintains its character over a long lifetime, it helps to take care of it through the recommendations below. A new rug sheds fibres initially, but do not be alarmed, this is a natural process of the yarn and will not affect the quality.

Most soiling will be held high in the carpet pile, so it can easily be removed by vacuuming. As a rule, vacuum at least once a week, more often in heavy traffic areas. A gentle steam cleaning by a professional is recommended every few years.

Stains can be prevented by acting quickly when spills occur. Scoop up solids before cleaning and blot out as much liquid as possible using a clean white absorbent towel or sponge. Clean with the correct cleaning agent for the rug fibre (i.e. Cavalier Bremworth Carpet Stain Remover for pure wool), apply the cleaning agent on to clean towel – not directly on your rug. Rinse with cold or lukewarm water. Blot dry with an absorbent towel, or use a cold air fan to complete drying.

Simon James Rugs are under warranty for 2 years. This warranty applies to defects that are manufacturing-related and does not apply to characteristics known as pile crush, matting, watermarking, sun fade, shading, staining, or soiling.

November Outdoor Range

Frame care

Regular periodic care and cleaning is recommended on the frame. The sofa frames are finished in a hard wearing powder coat which can be cleaned using a soft sponge, with a cleaning solution of mild liquid soap and lukewarm water. Avoid scratching the surface by dry dusting. Rinse with fresh water and dry thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent. Use of abrasive cleaners should be avoided.

Caution: In seaside or indoor pool use, salt or chlorides can accumulate on the finish, leading to finish failure. In both of these environments, repeated cycles of condensation then evaporation cause build-up of these corrosives. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water will remove the concentrated deposits and protect the furniture finish per the above instructions. Although the materials and finishes used are selected for their ‘all-weather/year-round’ characteristics, we recommend that the frame of this product is stored during cold and wet winter months.

Cushion care

We advise that the cushions are stored in a dry location whilst not in use to prolong the life of your product. The cushion covers can be removed from the internal foam and cleaned as per the below fabric care instructions. Do not use a water blaster to clean/rinse the cushions or frame, as this can damage the surface and integrity of the finishes.

Grenada Outdoor col. Flax - Washable up to 30 degrees.
Do not: tumble dry, dryclean, iron. 

Toscana Outdoor col. Charcoal - Hand Wash up to 30 degrees.
Do not: tumble dry, dryclean, iron. 

High UV resistant and Light resistant. Fading can occur with prolonged exposure. Stain-resistant. Non toxic. Non allergenic. Mould resistant. Anti-bacterial.

All the materials used are generally resistant to mildew, however, in humid and moist environments, it is possible that mildew may develop on the surface of the fabric. To prevent and remove mildew, we recommend that items are cleaned regularly using mild detergent and warm water.

Due to the large surface area of base cushions in particular, it is possible, under certain conditions, for watermarks to appear on the fabric. To avoid watermarking it is important to dry cushions evenly, preferably in sunny, breezy conditions. If a watermark appears, use a mild detergent and warm water to remove the mark, then rinse the cushion thoroughly all over and then allow to dry as evenly and quickly as practical.

Simon James November range warranty covers manufacturing defects for two years and does not cover general wear from outdoor elements and standard use.

Jessica McCormack believes jewellery should last longer than a single lifetime, and caring for it properly is the best way to ensure that generations to come will get to wear and love it too.

How to care for your Jewellery

Clean your jewellery at home with warm, mildly soapy water and a very soft brush - we recommend a soft toothbrush and a dash of fairy liquid. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

When it comes to storage, jewellery’s worst enemy is other jewellery! Keep your items separate by wrapping them in tissue or cloth when travelling, or stored in separate compartments of a jewellery box. This includes separating each earring in a pair.

Remove rings and bracelets before doing any task that might knock or rub them, e.g. boxing or gardening.

Save the best for last. Put jewellery on after applying makeup, perfume, and hair products.

Looking after your Gypsets

Make it click! If you have bought a pair of our signature Gypset Hoops, please make sure you listen for the click to ensure they are properly closed.

As part of our after-care service we recommend a yearly check-up on your Gypset Hoops, please email anja@simonjames.co.nz or phone 09 377 5556 when you would like them serviced and we’ll coordinate the rest.

Follow our step-by-step video guide on how to open, close and secure your Gypsets.