FAQs

ercol has been designing and manufacturing furniture in Buckinghamshire since its formation 100 years ago in 1920. A British brand, all of our ranges are designed and developed by our in-house design team based in Princes Risborough. 

ercol also work with manufacturing partners around the globe, from Europe to the Far East, working to ercol’s design principles and standards. 

Country of manufacture can be seen on individual product pages.

Address: 
Unit 5-6,
555 Kings Road,
London, 
SW6 2EB

Tel: 020 7112 4943

See our showroom page for latest opening times

We have a selection of ercol and L.Ercolani collections on the shop floor. Please note that we do not display all pieces from all collections.  We always recommend calling prior to visiting ercol Chelsea on 020 7112 4943.

Assembly Instructions for ercol's current collections can be downloaded from our website, they can be found on the individual product pages.

To amend an order, please notify us within 48 hours.

You can return on your order up to 14 days from receiving your purchase. Return delivery or collection charges may apply. Please see our Terms and Conditions of Sale for full details.

Payment can be made online using most major debit and credit cards. We will take the full order payment, including delivery costs and any applicable assembly charges when the order is placed. If you have an issue with payment on our site when processing your order, please contact us. Orders will only be dispatched once full payment has been received.

The esteemed Design Guild Mark is awarded by The Furniture Makers’ company with the aim of raising the profile of British industrial design.

A Design Guild Mark can be awarded for a product or collection of products that show quality in design, manufacture, materials and function.

ercol and L.Ercolani fabric collections have been selected to suit each particular sofa and chair range. All fabrics have passed the British Standard test BS2543 for abrasion in general domestic use, and comply with the British government’s flame retardant regulations.

Fabric ranges can be seen here.
 

Leather is a natural product and it can therefore have individual characteristics which make each hide unique. Each leather hide will have different grain variations, natural marks, scars or wrinkles which add character to the upholstery and do not affect the quality or longevity of the product. 

We have two different price ranges of leather:

Lower cost: L900 – L909
Higher cost: L953 – L957

The reason for this is our lower cost leather often has more scarring or damage resulting in more steps being taken during the correction process which removes the imperfections.

All of the leather that we use is semi-aniline this is leather that has a dye applied to it which is slightly pigmented to make the leather more uniform in colour while preserving its natural markings. It also gives a light protective layer which enhances its durability. Where possible any marks or scars will be on less visible areas such as the outside backs or underneath seat cushions. 

The leathers are all 0.9mm – 1.2mm thick which gives the durability that we need but also works well on the shapes of our upholstery collections. Leather is very durable and resilient and overtime the leather will develop a patina which enhances its overall look and feel.

You can order up to five fabric or leather samples via info@ercolchelsea.com or via any product page on the website, simply press request sample.

All fabrics have a pile and may create shading where the pile has been reversed. Deep pile fabrics, such as velvets are particularly affected it is created by the pile being pushed in a different direction when sat on, this area then appears lighter or darker. This is a natural characteristic of certain deep pile fabrics. 

Some scatter cushions have feather, or feather and fibre interiors. Details of cushion interiors are given on individual product pages on the website. 

Please contact us if you have a feather allergy.

ercol cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by the introduction of after sale products or treatments, you will need to refer to the provider of the treatment in the event of any damages in this regard.

Using a 3rd party product on our items will negate your right to a refund.

This could be down to the choice of designer, pattern matching, the nature of the product and to avoid quality issues.

Pilling is the name given to the formation of small balls of fibres on the surface of a fabric. Certain fibres and weaves are more prone to pilling than others. Pilling is caused by loose fibres, not locked into the fabric structure rubbing together during use. This is not a fault with the fabric, nor is it a sign of wear, it will reduce over time. The pills can be safely removed using a fabric shaver.  This is the natural characteristic of these fabrics.

The ranges and fabrics for which we offer this service are in the ercol ReCover guide.

ercol are introducing Quallofil® Blue cushion interiors on the Aldbury chair, and Marino chair and sofa from September 2022.  Quallofil® Blue is a new polyester fibre for sustainable cushions, the filling fibre is made using 50% recycled plastic.  Quallofil® Blue cushions should maintain their original appearance for longer, as it’s been developed to give firm, controlled support.

This amazing material is made through a partnership between fibre manufacturer Dacron and social enterprise Plastic Bank.

Plastic waste collected by local people from beaches around the world and is crushed into flakes, then spun into fibres. As well as tackling the huge problem of plastic pollution, it’s providing an income for impoverished coastal communities in countries including Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia and the Philippines.  To read more please see https://www.fusionfillingcushion.co.uk/en/dacron-quallofil-blue

Ercol and L.Ercolani work with solid wood and wood veneers, and predominantly use ash and oak. The timber they use depends on what best suits the particular design. 

The inherent features of a tree will give variations in the grain and colour, and can also be affected by the cut of the timber. This makes every piece of wood unique, and is one of the many benefits of working with natural materials.
Each species of wood has its own characteristic grain patterns from straight to wild grain and are part of the beauty of a natural product.  Even between the same timber such as ash there can be variances dependant on the soil that the tree has grown in, the weather conditions and even how the timber is cut.  UK ash for example can be darker and have more prominent grain patterns than paler European ash.

• Knots and dots are one of the most common marks in wood furniture, these may vary in shape, size and colour. These are created at points where branches or buds have grown out of the tree trunk.
• Medullary rays are markings which are frequently found in oak and are where the nutrients have been carried to the surface of the tree trunk or branch.  These natural markings all emphasise the uniqueness and quality of wooden furniture.

Wooden furniture will naturally change colour and mellow and darken over time.  To minimise this and slow the process down slightly avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.  

One of the key characteristics of oak are its unique patterns that make up the timber grain.  ‘Medullary rays’ or ‘pith rays’ are small visual ripples or ribbons consist of cells that radiate outward from the centre of the tree, that during the tree’s life help transport nutrients and water between the various layers. They are a natural and integral part of the timber which lead to an overall more interesting and distinctive appearance.  Medullary rays are a feature of oak, rather than a fault, they help to tell the story of the tree and add to the charming nature of this species. 

All ercol furniture is finished with a coat of clear lacquer to protect the furniture in normal use. On selected ranges, mainly those made from ash, ercol and L.Ercolani offer a variety of stain finishes ranging from clear or pale to rich dark stains and painted finishes, enabling you to get the appropriate style for your home. Wood finishes can be seen on the individual product pages, our fabrics and finishes page or on the range pages at the back of the ercol catalogue. 

You can order up to five wood samples by emailing info@ercolchelsea.com with your chosen samples, or via any product page on the website, simply press request sample. 

The timber is in compliance with UKTR regulations, and ercol is also proud to be working with local suppliers to help reestablish British timber supply chains. Ercol is FSC® certified (FSC C175185) and Grown in Britain (GIB) certified, please enquire with us about which pieces these certifications apply to.

Grown in Britain (GiB) is a not-for-profit certification body, set up in 2013 to promote woodland management, enabling British timber to be harvested and used to make goods such as furniture.

The ercol GiB collaboration is an important one as it is about reestablishing the UK supply chain of timber for furniture, something that has not been available for many years. The GiB project has enabled ercol to commit to purchasing timber from a UK sawmill, who in turn has been able to invest in the machinery to ensure that ercol can make this venture viable. The timber from forest to furniture is independently audited against GiB standard, ensuring the British ash in ercol furniture is home grown and from well managed woodlands.

Ash was chosen for the GiB project as it is a timber that ercol has been working with for a number of years and so ercol know its properties when it comes to furniture making.

The grain of any wood is influenced by the species the tree and the soil and location that the tree is grown in. Similar to the ‘Terroir’ talked about for grapes and wine making.

Over the last 40 years we have lost our timber processing industry in the UK, as a result of globalisation.

A primary objective of making a small collection of furniture in British timber is to help reinstate the supply chain and so encourage the use of British timber by many furniture makers, not just ercol.

The simple benefit of using GiB certified timber is that it will focus awareness on woodland management of UK’s forests and ways to improve them. The UK is the second biggest importer of timber in the world after China, currently around 85% of the hardwoods cut down in the UK end up as firewood; by making timber into furniture, we are storing the carbon into the piece of furniture and ensuring it stays locked in for much longer than just the life span of the tree but the life of the furniture as well.

By ercol launching the GiB collection with a small number of pieces, they hope that it will enable them to open up the possibility to make more pieces in GiB certified ash. The more UK timber we can use and commit to then the more work the UK based sawmills will have, and if they can get other manufacturers to do the same then a critical mass will be achieved making the UK industry viable again.

By buying a piece of furniture made of solid ash British timber, the miles the furniture will have travelled will be enormously reduced. In addition, the carbon is captured in the furniture will remain in the furniture until it is thrown away or disposed of. So, the longer the furniture lasts, which could be many generations the better for the planet.

The GiB collection is just the beginning and a part of ercol's sustainability journey, ercol is constantly re-evaluating where they are and how they can move forward. It is a journey, and it will take time, but ercol is determined to make progress and an impact for the future.

Keep furniture out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, over time fabric will fade and weaken the fibres of the fabric. Furniture should not be placed in front of a radiator and positioned well away from open fires and wood burners.

For further information on caring for your ercol and L.Ercolani furniture and mattresses please see our care cards.

Dust wood furniture regularly, using a soft, and dry dust cloth. We recommend polishing ercol and L.Ercolani furniture no more frequently than every 6 months, with good quality 100% beeswax polish, never use a polish with silicon in it as this can cause damage. 

All ercol and L.Ercolani sofas and chair fabrics should only be professionally dry cleaned in-situ by a specialist. To reduce staining, spillages should be mopped up as soon as possible and cleaned by a specialist. Take care with sharp objects such as belt buckles, keys and pet claws as these can snag any fabric.

Where possible, turn cushions regularly to distribute the wear evenly. Vacuum cleaning fabrics with the brush attachment will prolong their life as dust is abrasive and can dull colours and speed up wear and tear.

With every day use furniture can get knocked and damaged. Polishing the wood with a pure beeswax polish may resolve the problem but if not we recommend you consult a local furniture restorer.

Wood naturally shrinks and expands with changes in the humidity. ercol allow for a degree of shrinkage and growth in the design, most problems with doors and drawers sticking is in the autumn when the moisture increases prior to turning on central heating. Once the heating is turned on and the humidity reduces then the timber will shrink back.

Some collections have adjustable doors and drawers. To adjust a drawer, empty the contents. Pull out the drawer, feel underneath, you will find two finger grips at the front, one each side.  Squeeze these to release the drawer, turn the drawer over, there are two turn knobs to adjust the alignment from left to right of the drawer.  Once adjusted, push the runners back in and then slot the drawer in, push it back until it clicks shut.  To adjust the door hinges, remove the cover from the hinge to reveal two screws.  One will move the doors up and down, the other will move them left to right.

Wardrobes doors hinges can be adjusted above.  However, first ensure that the wardrobe is properly aligned – i.e. that it is level and the carcass is not being twisted out of alignment.  For example with a carpet the back feet will often be stood on the gripper rod and so you will need to use the wedges supplied under the front feet to level the wardrobe.  

If a toolkit, screws, bolts or other elements are missing please contact us and we will arrange replacements to you at our earliest opportunity. 

ercol has been in business for 100 years, ercol prides themselves on designing, specifying and creating quality furniture. If however you have a manufacturing problem or fault with your furniture, please contact us by email with your order number and details of any issues.

Before ordering a piece of furniture, please ensure it will fit in into your home through doorways and also into the designated position.

Any order returned due to being unsuitable for a location, due to size could result in you being responsible for any failed delivery and return fees.

Each piece of ercol and L.Ercolani furniture has the dimensions listed under the product descriptions on the website. 

Most furniture is delivered assembled, but in some instances, assembly may be required.

Delivery via ercolchelsea.com will include a full delivery and installation service to your room of choice and removal of all packaging.

Please note, surcharges may apply for the Scottish Highlands, and other defined postcodes which will be made clear at point of order confirmations.

ercol Chelsea Furniture Premium Delivery.

Premium Delivery incurs an additional charge of £65 and includes a full delivery service, furniture will be placed in your room of choice, providing it is safely accessible. Furniture will be carried up a maximum of two flights of stairs, unless there is a useable lift or a risk assessment permits it. If any assembly is required on a piece of furniture our delivery partners will do this for you. All packaging will be removed as part of our premium delivery service. Deliveries are made Monday to Friday, if an agreed delivery fails due to customer unavailability or access issues, the delivery charge and associated service costs will still be applied. Orders containing multiple items will be grouped and sent at the furthest lead time so that you will receive one delivery.

We will fulfil your order as promptly as possible. If ordering on the ercol Chelsea website, your lead time will default to the item with the longest lead time, so that your orders can be delivered together. 

Some ranges are available from stock, whilst other ranges with a choice of fabrics or finishes are made to order, these elements dictate delivery lead times.

Once purchased the designated courier will contact you to notify you of a specific time delivery.

You will be emailed automatically at certain intervals throughout your orders journey and be notified of a delivery window.

With our Premium delivery service packaging will be removed.

We only offer UK mainland delivery.

Our delivery partner will contact you in advance of delivery to ensure the correct vehicle is allocated for your delivery. If you have limited access or restrictions, please contact us directly.

If you change your mind you can return ercol furniture only within 14 days of delivery. The furniture must be in saleable condition and packaged appropriately for return delivery, if this is not the case a charge of £20 will be made to cover this cost in addition to the transport return costs below:

• One piece of furniture non-upholstery or one accent chair - £65
• Multiple pieces excluding upholstery - £120
• Multiple pieces including upholstery - £150

For further details see our Terms and Conditions of Sale.  Please contact our Customer Services Team to arrange the collection.

ercol mattresses are made to order, and it is for this and reasons of hygiene, that we are unable to refund or replace any of our mattresses. This does not affect your statutory rights or apply if the product is faulty. Since the selection of a mattress is a very personal decision, we strongly recommend that you try the mattress in store prior to ordering. While we endeavour to ensure stated dimensions are as accurate as possible, due to manufacturing tolerances, these may vary slightly.

Please contact us at info@ercolchelsea.com and we will endeavour to resolve the matter as soon as possible.