THE TARTEEBHOME GUIDES
Understand what a surface, construction method or craft description actually tells you before choosing a piece.
Solid wood: ask which components
A piece can combine solid wood, engineered panels, veneer, upholstery and metal. Ask the seller to identify the frame, legs, top, side panels and internal components individually. A wood-look finish does not establish a wood species. The current solid-wood material filter groups listings that state solid-wood components; it does not mean every component is solid wood. Compare the full description and request clarification where it is ambiguous.
Handcrafted: identify the actual work
Ask which stages are completed by hand and who carries them out. A seller may describe hand finishing, hand assembly, carving or weaving; these are different claims. Close-up photographs should show the relevant work, while the written specification should describe the supplied item. A handmade label alone does not establish material quality, durability, origin or uniqueness. No product gains a handcrafted badge simply because it looks irregular or traditional.
Carved furniture: look beyond the front view
Request photographs of the carved areas, joints, back and underside. Ask whether decoration is carved into the structural component, applied as a separate piece or produced using another method. Check how recesses can be cleaned and whether the decoration affects grip, comfort or usable space. If the seller offers a custom motif, confirm its location, scale and finish in writing before committing to production. Read the Chinioti furniture buying guide.
Cane & rattan: separate appearance from material
Woven furniture can use natural or synthetic materials, and a visual resemblance cannot distinguish them reliably. Ask for the stated material of the frame and woven surface, the recommended indoor or outdoor use, and repair or replacement arrangements. Examine the edge attachment and the area where a person sits or rests their arms. Do not infer weather resistance from a garden photograph. Confirm the seller’s care instructions and exposure limits.
Finish and maintenance
Check whether the finish name describes a colour, a coating process or a material. Ask how to clean spills and whether heat, moisture or direct sun require special precautions. Request a daylight image or sample if matching an existing piece matters. Follow instructions for the actual supplied finish; a generic wood-care product may not be suitable for every coating. Start the care guide with the material.
A useful enquiry
Include the listing link and SKU, photographs of the details you want clarified, your room measurements and the finish you are considering. Ask the seller to distinguish a current option from a custom proposal. Keep the confirmed specification with the selected seller offer. Manufacturing origin is a separate evidence question from the construction or craft technique.