Frequently Asked Questions

Questions are welcome here. Below, you’ll find details on our materials, process, and policies - designed to help you feel confident in what you’re bringing home.

THE MATERIALS

All of our wood is reclaimed from character-rich buildings across the world, typically Europe, North America and Asia.

We work closely with a network of local salvage teams and architectural reclamation yards, who alert us when heritage buildings are being dismantled. When a potential site comes up, we assess the wood on location - checking species, age, moisture content, and condition. Only the most structurally sound and visually interesting boards are selected.

From there, the wood is carefully extracted by hand (often plank by plank), denailed, and kiln-dried to stabilise it. We then transport it to our workshop in Cumbria, where Florentin and the team begin the process of preparing each piece - cutting, planing, and finishing in ways that respect both the material and its story.

Every plank carries something of its past life; sun-darkened grain, bolt scars, or worn patina - and we treat these as marks of value, not flaws.

Yes. In fact, most reclaimed hardwoods are stronger and more stable than freshly milled timber. That’s because they’ve already weathered decades - sometimes centuries - of temperature shifts and natural movement. We only use wood that has proven its resilience.

We work mainly with reclaimed hardwoods like oak, elm, ash, and maple. The exact type depends on where the original building came from - for example, we often find oak in old French railway depots, or maple in early 20th-century American schoolhouses.

Each wood is chosen for its strength, its appearance, and its connection to the place it came from. We never use tropical hardwoods or mass-market substitutes - only regionally authentic materials that carry real history and character.

Every board we use comes with a past. Some bear 19th-century saw marks. Others show colour variations from sun exposure, iron or paint staining. We don’t sand these out. We highlight them. No two items will ever be identical - and that’s the point.

Entirely. By working exclusively with reclaimed wood, we’re giving new life to existing material rather than harvesting more. No new trees are felled for our pieces, and all offcuts are reused or responsibly recycled. Beauty, without cost to the planet.

CRAFTSMENSHIP & DESIGN

Every Covessence piece is handmade in Cumbria by our master craftsman Florentin and his small team of elves (the elves are 6 fully sized and very talented wood workers). Florentin brings over 30 years of woodworking experience, with a particular focus on traditional joinery and low-waste methods.

Yes. We only ever make small runs - usually between 20 and 100 pieces - based on the amount of reclaimed wood available from each structure. Once the wood is gone, the design is retired or evolved.

This ensures truly one of a kind pieces for our customers.

Yes. These are heirloom-quality pieces, made to last for decades. We don’t ship flat-pack furniture. Everything arrives as a finished object, ready to place and use.

In some cases, yes. If you’re drawn to a particular material or need something tailored in scale, we may be able to create a bespoke design using our reclaimed stock. Availability is limited - please contact us to enquire.

SHIPPING, DELIVERY & RETURNS

We currently ship across the UK, and can arrange delivery to most EU destinations on request. All shipping is handled by trusted specialist couriers, and includes full insurance.

Once your piece is complete, we ship it directly from our Cumbria workshop. Delivery typically takes 3–6 working days within the UK. You'll receive tracking details as soon as your order is on its way.

If you’re not completely happy, you can return your piece within 30 days for a full refund - no questions asked. And if anything goes wrong due to a manufacturing issue in the first year, we’ll repair or replace it free of charge.

Yes. We work with a small number of interior designers and design studios each year. If you’re interested in partnering with us, please get in touch with your project details.

Still have questions?

We’re here. Email us at hello@covessence.com or send us a message via Facebook or Instagram. We love talking about wood, story, and design, and we’d be happy to help.