Care & Maintenance

Patina, care and maintenance

Our pewter countertops, tables and worktops are made in France in keeping with traditional techniques that artisans have been using for generations. Pewter is fashioned by hand and hammered onto a wooden form.

This technique produces an irregular appearance and a number of imperfections in the final piece, such as crimping, rippling or pitting. These traits are to be expected: they add to the handcrafted charm of the piece and are the signature of our workshop. These irregular features lend the piece a unique poetry and charm.

Pewter is not naturally dark gray in color. Heirloom coffee pots, teapots and other dishware were rinsed in acid to produce the dark patina that was fashionable at the time.

Pewter is a soft, light-colored metal that develops a slight patina over time. This patina is natural and non-toxic. It lends the piece a unique character and protects the metal from harm. Pewter is also known for its antibacterial properties.

Our countertops, tables, and worktops are 97% pewter and lead free. All our products are made of food grade pewter and comply with European ISO 9001 standards.

Unlike stainless steel and composite materials, pewter is not an inert material. It naturally ages over time like wood, developing a patina, pitting and scuffing that add to the charm of the product. If you examine a comptoir in a traditional French café you will find pitting from customers tapping coins on the bar to call the barista. These marks are proof of a living material. They gleam in the light like a digital fingerprint.

While these signs of aging add to the charm of the piece, we do not recommend cutting food directly on the countertop. Treat your countertop with care and protect it from knocks.

Pewter is corrosion resistant thanks to a non toxic protective oxide coating that forms on the surface. However highly acidic food items such as lemon, vinegar, tomatoes or wine may cause spotting and tarnish the patina. If your pewter is tarnished, we recommend wiping it down and rinsing with water.

To prevent staining avoid placing hot coffee pots and dishware directly on your pewter surface.

Cleaning your pewter

Clean with dish detergent only. Rinse off then polish with glass cleaner. Dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Do not use abrasive or acidic products. Do not use ammonia.

Restoring your pewter

If you want your pewter to look like new it can be restored with steel wool #000. Wet with glass cleaner and gently sweep over the entire piece in regular motions. Rinse and dry with a soft dry cloth. This process will remove scuffs and stains, restore the patina and give the pewter a satiny sheen. We recommend you have your pewter restored by a professional.