FAQs

About our furniture

• Do you make furniture to order?

Yes, we make each piece to order, to your specification.  Whether size, fabric, finish, configuration or to make a one-off piece.

• Is your furniture handmade?

Yes, we have a team of cabinet makers, upholsterers and sprayers that make everything by hand.

• Where is your furniture made?

Our furniture is made at our workshops in East Lothian, Scotland – just 25 miles from Edinburgh.

• Who makes your furniture?

We have a team of craftsmen including experienced upholsterers, cabinet makers, sprayers and antler furniture specialists.

• What materials do you use?

We use a variety of premium materials such as solid timber, veneer, mdf, metal, and glass, foam, fabric, horsehair and smaller furniture components as required.  Our products are finished with sprayed lacquer, acid catalyst to order.

·         Is your furniture made from solid wood?

We can make furniture in solid wood.  Most of our furniture has solid wood elements.  Our preference is to work with a very high quality veneered mdf which not only provides a uniform finish, it is lighter for mobility and ages without contraction and warping.  Our veneers derive from the highest quality of trees, are sustainably transported leaving little footprint and enable us to provide a huge range of finishes.

• Can I choose my own fabric?

All of our products are made to order, and in your choice of fabric.  You can send the fabric to us, or we can order it for you.  Prices are excluding fabric.

• Can I choose the paint colour or wood finish?

We finish most of our products in your choice of wood stain or paint finish.  We have a range of wood stains available; however we can also match a preferred stain if required.  When painting we use a hard waring and consistently applied acid catalyst paint.  This can be applied in colours to match any of the major brands, including Farrow & Ball, Little Greene etc.

Bespoke & customisation

• Can you make furniture to my own dimensions?

We make our furniture to order.  The majority of our furniture can be adjusted to suit your required dimensions. 

• Can you alter one of your existing designs?

We are able to adapt our furniture, whether it be dimensions, shape, application of detail and trim. 

• Can you make completely bespoke furniture?

A large proportion of our furniture making is entirely bespoke.  With one-off pieces, or large scale commercial orders of a unique item.  We have a design team, CAD drawer and expert craftsman who can bring your idea to life.  An inspirational photograph or a drawing on the back of an envelope may be just the starting point.

• Can you match an existing piece of furniture?

We have often been asked to extend a set of antique chairs by matching an existing chair and replicating it.  We can indeed match an existing piece of furniture and have experienced craftsmen who can lend themselves to any challenge.

• Can you make furniture for awkward spaces?

We are able to make bespoke furniture to suit any space.

·         Can you help with interior design projects?

The majority of our clients are interior designers.  However our breadth of experience enables us to provide adhoc interior design advice when purchasing our products. 

• Do you work with architects and interior designers?

The majority of our clients are interior designers and interior architects. 

Ordering

• How do I order bespoke furniture?

Please provide a furniture brief, whether it be verbally, with a drawing on the back of an envelope, inspirational photograph, or your own CAD drawing.  We will then work with you to bring your vision to life by forming a CAD drawing, 360 degree visualisation, agreeing finishes, and finally crafting your piece of furniture.  We will then ensure the furniture is packed and shipped to your desired address, and even installed in situ if required.

• Do I need to visit your showroom?

We take orders by telephone and email so a visit is not required.  We have a showroom at our workshops in East Lothian which includes a selection of furniture from our range, some fabric samples and our finishes.  You are welcome to drop in during opening hours to look at these and discuss your furniture requirements in person.  Appointments can also be made to discuss future projects and your furniture needs in full. 

• Can I order online?

Due to the bespoke nature of our products, orders cannot be placed online.  Orders are finalised by email, telephone or in person.

• Can I request wood and fabric samples?

Wood samples are available on request.  Fabric samples can also be ordered for you upon request.

• Can I receive a quotation before ordering?

Due to the bespoke nature of our product, please contact us for a quotation prior to ordering.

• Is there a minimum order value?

We have no minimum order value.

Lead times

• How long does made-to-order furniture take?

Our range of furniture takes an average of 8-10 weeks from receipt of fabric and payment.  Bespoke furniture items may take around 10-12 weeks.  Lead times will be confirmed at the point of order.

• Can you make furniture urgently?

Should you have a particular delivery date required, we will work with you to try to meet his.

• How long does delivery take after manufacture?

Upon competition of our furniture, we work with trusted couriers to collect your furniture from our workshops and deliver to you the following week (UK only).  International deliveries are available, and the delivery time varies.

Delivery

• Do you deliver throughout the UK?

We deliver throughout mainland UK using carefully selected delivery partners who are experienced in transporting high-quality furniture.  Our team will be happy to provide a tailored delivery quotation before your order is confirmed.

Once your furniture has been completed and passed our quality checks, we will contact you to arrange a convenient delivery date. Where possible, our delivery partners will also contact you prior to delivery to confirm arrival times.

·         Do you deliver internationally?

Clock House Furniture regularly ships to interior designers and trade customers around the world.

We work with trusted international freight and courier companies to ensure every order is securely packed and transported with care. We can arrange delivery to most international destinations.

Our team will be happy to provide a tailored delivery quotation before your order is confirmed.

Please note that international customers may be responsible for any local customs duties, taxes or import charges applicable in their destination country.

• Will you install large pieces?

If the situation requires, we can install large pieces or built in furniture.  However this will be at an additional cost.

Quality & craftsmanship

• Why choose made-to-order furniture instead of mass-produced furniture?

Made to order furniture allows you to tailor the furniture to your requirements.  Whether it be a particular size to fit a space, sit next to other pieces, or suit your needs.  Or a style or shape to suit your scheme.  Made to order furniture is unique, made for your requirements, and provides an opportunity to make it your own.

• How long should handmade furniture last?

Furniture made by hand is of great quality, durable and built to last for generations to come.

• What makes Clock House Furniture different?

Over the last 36 years Clock House has built a wealth of experience in furniture making.  With a purpose built workshop in Scotland with expert craftsman in upholstery, cabinet making, antler furniture, restoration, and finishing, we are able to make a whole range of furnishings.  This combination of skills enables us to make everything in-house under the guidance of experienced founders, Priscilla and Nick.  And with a design and CAD drawing team, we are also able to collaborate with clients to make one-off pieces. 

 

Heritage.  Experience.  Craftsmanship.  Made in Scotland.

• How do I care for my furniture?

All visible wood in furniture made by Clock House Furniture has been finished in our workshop using an Acid Catalysed Lacquer with a 20% sheen.

Upholstered furniture may be covered with fabric, leather or woven horsehair.

In the event of a spillage on any of these surfaces, all moisture should be wiped off straight away. If leather requires further treatment, a proprietary leather cleaner should be used, making sure that instructions on the container are carefully followed. A soft cloth dampened with a diluted household detergent should be used to remove smears and spillages on all surfaces.

The surface should be wiped with a dry cloth to remove all moisture.

Bactericidal cleaners should not be used for cleaning on any of the furniture, because chemicals in this type of cleaner rapidly causes lacquer to degrade, it becomes sticky, and ceases to provide an easily maintained surface.

Fabric or horsehair may also react adversely in these circumstances.

Hot crockery and serving dishes should not be placed directly on any wooden surfaces unless there is an adequate heat proof mat placed beneath them for protection.

Hardened food or wax on tabletops should not be scraped off with a sharp implement as this may damage the surface. A cloth that has been soaked in hot water can be used for this purpose, and a dry cloth should be used to remove all residual moisture.

Trade customers

• Do you work with interior designers?

Yes, the majority of our customers are interior designers or interior architects.

• Do you offer trade pricing?

Yes, we offer trade pricing, subject to the completion of a trade account form and approval.

• Can you manufacture furniture for hotels and commercial projects?

Yes, our team and purpose built workshop enables us to make furniture for large scale projects, including hotels and commercial projects.  Our team of design, CAD and craftsmen enable us to collaborate with our clients to ensure the needs of the project are fulfilled.  We have a hospitality catalogue for your information.

• Can you produce multiple matching pieces?

Yes, our expert team and purpose built workshop enables us to make quality made to order furniture in large quantities.

Sustainability

• Is your timber responsibly sourced?

We source our timber from suppliers with robust responsible sourcing policies, including FSC® and PEFC® certified supply chains.

• Is your furniture sustainable?

Our furniture is manufactured in-house using responsibly sourced timber wherever possible. We aim to source materials from suppliers with recognised responsible sourcing policies and focus on producing high-quality, durable furniture designed for a long service life.

• Why is handmade furniture more sustainable?

We make handmade high-quality furniture that is durable furniture designed for a long service life.