A few simple steps are sufficient to maintain an artisan-crafted piece of furniture in excellent condition over the years.
Here are some practical tips:
Do not clean the furniture with water, with sponges or damp cloths. Do not use cleaning products. Dust with a soft, dry cloth or lightly dampened with a liquid wood-care product. The constant use of water for cleaning and dusting will gradually compromise the surface finish.
Position the furniture away from direct sunlight.
Avoid positioning furniture, especially those crafted from solid wood, in close proximity to intense heat sources such as fireplaces, stoves, and even radiators. The wood could dry out excessively.
Periodically, at least once a year, or even more frequently for certain types of furniture (crafted with substantial veneers, made with aged wood, antique furniture) polish the furniture using beeswax-based wax, preferably brown for walnut/wood-toned furniture and neutral wax for lacquered/colored furniture. Apply a thin layer of product to the surface with a brush or a cloth, remove the wax with a soft cloth, and use another clean cloth to remove any final streaks. Ensure the wax reaches carved sections and door corners, areas where dust tends to accumulate.
It may accidentally happen that small scratches occur on the finished parts of the furniture. There are commercially available furniture touch-up markers, in various shades (light walnut, dark, very dark, etc.). Use the marker to touch up the white scratch (immediately remove excess color with a cloth) and allow it to 'become' a darker antiquing effect, similar to those intentionally created during the finishing process. For this reason the antiqued finish, in addition to having an aesthetic effect, can be an advantage in terms of the furniture's long-term maintenance. Indeed, on furniture with an existing antiqued finish, typical of Bassano-style furniture, any corrections and touch-ups applied to accidental scratches and scuffs will be much less noticeable.