Frequently Asked Questions
Why is our custom furniture so expensive?
While “expensive” is a relative term, we acknowledge that our prices are on the higher end. We focus on heirloom quality builds. Our vision is for you to buy a piece of our furniture that will be passed down for generations. To build each one of our dressers and nightstands, we start with the highest quality materials from sustainable sources. Our lumber is premium American hardwood sourced from responsibly managed forests right in the US. Our leather is fine European hide from Edelman leathers and each hide comes with a Greenguard Gold certification to insure our products aren’t off gassing harmful chemicals into your home. We then assemble using high quality glues and finishes that are Zero VOC or Greenguard Gold certified. We choose the highest quality drawer slides suitable for decades of use. Once all this is sourced, we begin construction on your dressers or nightstands using a small team of skilled craftsmen. And the members of our team also need to make a livable salary. Basically, our furniture is more expensive because we do it better than the rest and we have longevity, health, happiness, and quality as priorities.
Is your furniture truly non toxic?
Yes, as much as we can possibly make it. At Doves & Tails, we are committed to providing high-quality, eco-friendly furniture that aligns with our customers' health and environmental values. Our products are crafted from premium American hardwoods and finished with an oil and wax blend that is Zero VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. We strive to use materials and processes that reduce environmental impact and promote healthier indoor air quality. We use non toxic or Greenguard Gold certified products in our construction.
Our furniture finishes are selected for their durability, sheen, and very low toxicity; prioritizing zero VOC emissions. While we aim for finishes that align with zero VOC standards, please be aware that "zero VOC" does not necessarily mean the absence of all VOCs, as trace levels may still exist due to the nature of the materials and processes used.
To further minimize potential VOC exposure, our drawers are left unfinished, reducing the likelihood of odor or chemical transfer to clothing. We also offer our products completely unfinished upon request, providing an option for those with heightened sensitivities or specific health concerns.
What is your lead time and why is it so long?
Our lead time is generally 8 weeks. We will happily ship products sooner if we can. Our lead time is as such because quality takes time when its hand crafted. This allows us time to acquire our materials, build your pieces, let the finish cure and air out, crate it and finally get it on a freight truck headed to its new home!
How do I care for and maintain my furniture?
Your dressers and nightstands are going to get used, dirty, and scratched, that’s just life. We have included care instructions with your purchase including the exact finish used. Our natural low VOC finish protects your furniture very well, but accidents happen. We strongly recommend wiping up spills immediately to avoid water damage. For regular cleaning, we recommend a cotton cloth with just a light spritz of water to wipe it down. For scratches, contact us and we can send you a scratch touch up kit. For larger damage, we recommend getting the piece refinished locally. The advantage of buying solid hardwood furniture over plywood is that it can be refinished many times without compromising the piece. A competent local craftsman or furniture repairer can resand the dresser and apply new finish. Please contact us and we can help you find and select a person suitable for this task in your area.
Do you offer customizations?
The short answer is yes. We offer size customizations for each of our pieces because we know a few inches here or there in your room can make all the difference. For larger customizations, unique designs, or leather color customization, please contact us to discuss. Elena@dovesandtails.com 503-409-4261 or 480-246-1563
Where and how do you ship?
As of right now, we ship to the entirety of the continental US and Canada. We ship via freight and your dresser will arrive in a crate covered in cotton cloth and surrounded by thick cardboard. We offer white glove shipping in the entire US. Canadians will have to pay custom duties upon your dressers arrival in the country. We have no control over this nor the duty taxes.
What should I do if my furniture arrives damaged?
If your furniture arrives damaged, please take as many photos as possible and explain the situation to the delivery team. Keep all packaging materials. Your furniture is fully insured during shipping and a claim will be filed on your behalf. Once the claim is filed, you may choose to receive a full refund of have your item remade. If the damage is minor, you may request or receive a partial refund.
Is assembly required upon delivery?
No assembly is required. Your piece will be dropped off and is immediately ready for use. We do recommend a quick wipe down with a cotton cloth.
Curing Process:
All our products undergo a thorough curing process in our workshop to further reduce the chance of residual odors by the time they reach your home. They are then packaged with care in cotton and thick corrugated cardboard for a plastic-free shipping experience.
Plywood Components:
Our use of plywood for certain structural elements is guided by eco-friendly practices, selecting products that meet stringent low-VOC standards. For those desiring an all-hardwood construction, we offer upgrades to hardwood backs and drawer bottoms.
Drawer Slides and Leather Components:
We utilize high-quality manufactured undermount drawer slides for their durability and smooth operation. For a more traditional approach, we offer beeswax-coated wood runners as an alternative. Please note, while eco-friendly, this option may affect the functionality and features such as soft closing.
Our leather components are GREENGUARD Gold certified, ensuring they meet rigorous low emissions standards. These leathers are aired in our shop to further reduce potential residual odors, although we acknowledge that we do not have ultimate control over the entire production process.
Recommendations:
Please understand that while we strive to limit all potential exposure to VOCs and other chemicals, complete elimination is not always possible due to the complexities of the materials involved. We encourage our customers to consider their individual needs and sensitivities when selecting products.
Doves and Tails is dedicated to transparency and customer satisfaction. If you have any questions or need further clarification on our materials and processes, please do not hesitate to contact us.
To continue with our transparency, below is a list of all the materials we use and links to their pages
American Oak, Walnut, Maple - Various mills
Plywood from Columbia Forest Products - (drawer bottoms and back of cabinets. LEED certified, soy based glue)
Leather from Edelman (Green Guard Gold Certified, European standards)
Wood Finish from Osmo or Rubio Monocoat (Zero VOC, German standards)
Wood Glue from Titebond (Non toxic, food safe)