FAQs

All Apartmento furniture is manufactured at our own factory in Auckland, New Zealand.

All Apartmento furniture is designed in house, please see About Us.

The ether. We are not a response to the burgeoning low-cost apartment dwellings that are so prevalent in Auckland.

Please see About Us.

Apartmento's 'timber of choice' is American White Oak. This timber is sourced from local distributors who import the oak from vast managed forests on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Oak is a traditional cabinet-making timber that is very strong, has a wonderful open grain with interesting texture and pattern and, very importantly, takes a stain beautifully.

We use a mixture of solid and veneered oak depending on the design requirements. Solid oak is important for structural integrity (e.g. dining chairs and table leg/rail structures) however veneers are used where Apartmento's seamless, oft copied, mitred joins are used.

For lacquered finishes we use Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) manufactured in NZ.

No, for furniture there is no better timber than oak. We have 12 different stain colours to choose from and can also match to bespoke colours, ensuring appropriate colour choices are always possible.

We use veneers because many of the designs we produce simply would not be achievable in a solid timber. Are solid timbers better? Short answer - NO.

Veneered timbers remain beautifully flat and straight throughout a product's life whereas solid timbers are far more likely to check, cup, warp, bow and twist. It is simply a fallacy that veneered timber is a lesser product. Apartmento veneers are manufactured to very exacting standards using the best quality glues and advanced laminating technology - they simply will not de-laminate.

Furthermore the toughness and durability of a piece of furniture has more to do with the lacquer system used than the raw surface of the material. It is the lacquer that provides the resistance to the vast majority of 'wear and tear' scratches and knocks. A piece of furniture that receives a heavy impact will generally require a craftsman to repair it regardless of whether it is solid or veneer.

Apart from dining chairs all Apartmento furniture is available in standard and custom dimensions. (Our dining chairs are manufactured to very specific standard dimensions based on sound ergonomic principles). If you require a custom dimensioned piece there may be a surcharge - please inquire at the showroom.

Oak furniture is available in 12 different stain colours and painted furniture is available in 12 different standard colours. Colour matching is also available on request; this service may attract a surcharge.

We are very aware that as soon as you've ordered your Apartmento furniture you'd like to have it in your home! We aim to deliver within six weeks of receiving your confirmed order. At the time that you confirm your order we will be sure to advise you of the expected delivery date, and we will keep you updated as your order progresses. Each piece of Apartmento furniture is hand made to order; while we are very anxious to meet our client's expectations in every way, we will not deliver furniture of inferior quality.

We provide a ten-year structural and workmanship guarantee on hard goods (i.e. cabinets, tables, chairs etc.) and a 15-year frame guarantee on all our sofas. Upholstery is guaranteed through the supplier.

We will always stand behind our furniture. Our aim is to have completely satisfied clients who will continue to provide us with referrals for new business.

This is a case by case proposition. Space at our factory is at a premium and we aim to utilise this space by manufacturing furniture not storing it. We do of course understand the potential delays in home building and renovations so will try to accommodate storage requests where possible. It is important to understand that payment in full will be required at the time of completion of your order.

We require a 50% deposit with placement of your order and payment in full prior to delivery. We will happily accommodate you if you would like to inspect the furniture prior to delivery, providing you are able to visit our factory in Auckland.

Payments can be made by the standard methods including all major credit cards, internet banking and cheques. Finance options are available via the third party finance provider GE Money. Please inquire at the showroom - standard conditions apply.

Sure. Leave us your credit card details, address and phone numbers and we'll happily arrange for appro on site. Any delivery charges will be covered by the client as will any costs associated with repairing furniture damaged while on appro. Contact the showroom for further information.

No - all Apartmento furniture is completely assembled and quality checked at our factory prior to shipment. The shelving systems do require assembly and installation, but in most instances this is done by Apartmento staff or sub-contractors. An installation charge may apply.

We have decided that we will not simply add the cost of delivery to every piece of furniture and 'pretend' to deliver it for free. The price of the furniture reflects the quality materials and high standard of workmanship.

The cost of the delivery can be quoted prior to shipment, and reflects the amount of time required to effect the delivery.

No.

Yes. For many years Apartmento furniture has been shipped all over New Zealand and many destinations around the world including Australia, Europe and USA. Depending on the destination there may be a surcharge to cover the packaging, while the actual transport costs will be met by the client. We are happy to arrange all the details so please contact the showroom for further information.

The most important factor in caring for your furniture is common sense!

For timber and upholstered furniture: protect from damp and heat, extreme temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight. Always lift furniture, do not slide unless on castors.

For timber furniture: do not allow fluids to sit on timber surfaces for long periods. Wipe all spills immediately. Lift objects rather than drag them across surfaces to reduce chances of scratches. To clean wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately - do not use abrasive or solvent cleaners.

For upholstered furniture: plump up, reverse, rotate and regularly vacuum sofa cushions for even wear. If you wish we can 'scotch-gard' upholstery at the time of order, to enhance wear and stain resistance.

It is possible to re-finish furniture that has been damaged. The cost of re-finishing depends on the amount and type of damage and the size of the piece. We can organise this service for you through the showroom.

Each piece of Apartmento furniture is made to order for a specific client's requirements - therefore there will never be 'seconds'. From time to time there may be a showroom sale to clear older stock - this is sometimes marked down if it is slightly damaged or 'shop soiled'. The best way to hear about any possible sale event is to sign up to our mailing list.

The very best way to hear about Apartmento's latest designs and new releases is to sign up to our mailing list. We will not inundate you with endless information. You will receive timely information about what you're interested in: new designs, upcoming sales, new release events and specific offers. Your email address will never be shared with any other party.