Terms & Conditions

Stephanie Odegard Co. Ltd.

Every piece we make is handmade to order by artisans we have worked with for decades. These terms exist to make the process clear: what to expect from natural materials and hand-finishing, how orders and shipping work, and where responsibilities sit. We would rather explain plainly than surprise anyone later.

If anything here raises a question about your project, please write to us. Most of what follows is easier to discuss than to read.

1. General

These Terms & Conditions govern the purchase of furniture, lighting, rugs, objects, accessories and other products ("Products") from Stephanie Odegard Co. Ltd. ("we", "us", "our") through our website, direct sales, trade accounts, or other authorised sales channels.

By placing an order, the customer ("Customer", "you", "your") acknowledges and agrees to these Terms & Conditions.

Our Products are predominantly handmade and made to order. Natural materials, traditional craft processes, hand-finishing and artisanal production are fundamental to their character. Accordingly, no two pieces will be entirely identical.

2. Products, Customisation & Specifications

Customisation is at the heart of what we do. Custom sizes, finishes, materials, configurations and fully bespoke designs are available on request, subject to technical feasibility. Whether you are working from a sketch, a technical drawing, a reference image or an initial concept, our in-house design team collaborates with you to develop the piece.

A quotation or product listing may specify standard dimensions, materials, finishes and other characteristics. Any agreed customisation will be documented separately through the quotation, order confirmation, drawing, specification sheet or other written communication.

Because our Products are handmade, minor variations in dimensions, colour, texture, grain, veining, patina, carving, metal surface and other characteristics are inherent to the process and are not considered defects.

Natural stone, wood, metal and other hand-finished materials may contain variations, inclusions, colour differences, veins, knots, marks or oxidation that cannot be precisely replicated or predicted.

3. Drawings & Customer Approval

For customised Products where drawings are required, our in-house CAD team will provide a technical drawing for Customer approval before production begins.

The Customer is responsible for carefully reviewing all dimensions, proportions, materials, finishes, construction details and configurations shown on the approved drawing.

Once the drawing has been approved, production proceeds on those specifications. Changes requested after drawing approval or after production has commenced may result in additional costs and delays, and may not always be technically possible.

4. Samples & Finishes

We warmly encourage customers to request an individual sample, or a complete sample set of all twelve metal finishes, to experience the surface, tone and character firsthand before ordering.

Samples provide a representative indication of the final material or finish. Due to the natural and handmade nature of our processes, the final Product may show reasonable variation from a sample.

For natural stone, wood and similar materials, availability can change between sampling and production. Where consistency is critical, we may recommend reserving the required material in advance and producing the final approval sample from the actual material reserved for the project.

Finish samples do not guarantee that every future production batch will be identical.

5. Product Photography, Colour & 3D Imagery

We make every reasonable effort to represent our Products accurately.

The images shown in our listings may be photographed under different lighting conditions, and some images are 3D illustrations created to represent the available finishes. Colours and finishes may also appear differently depending on your screen calibration, display settings and ambient lighting.

Photographs and digital representations should not be treated as an exact guarantee of colour or finish. For an accurate impression of a finish, please request a physical sample.

6. Handmade & Natural Material Variations

Our Products are made using traditional and artisanal processes. Small variations, irregularities, tool marks, and differences in carving, metal texture, patina, oxidation, colour, grain and surface character are part of the intended aesthetic.

The following characteristics are inherent to our metal-clad work and are not manufacturing defects:

Surface movement. Moisture in the air, seasonal climate shifts and the natural movement of wood over time may cause the metal surface to develop slight wrinkles or occasional bubbling. We use well-seasoned reclaimed teak and high-quality engineered wood wherever technically possible to minimise these effects, but complete stability of metal cannot be guaranteed.

Tool marks on smooth finishes. All smooth finishes show subtle tool marks. These are a natural and unavoidable result of hand-working and hand-polishing metal sheets. Our hammered finishes are recommended where a more textured, forgiving surface is preferred.

Natural ageing. None of our metal-clad pieces are sealed with a permanent protective coating, which allows the metal to age naturally over time. Every piece is polished carefully before packing. A clear PU coat can be applied on request.

Antiqued white bronze. This finish is created by applying an acidic chemical over white bronze to recreate a natural patination. As with the ageing of silver, copper or brass, the final result and colour uniformity cannot be guaranteed. The intended effect is rainbow-like tones with dull, shiny, cloudy and lightly streaked patches. This finish reacts fastest with natural elements in the beginning, then settles into a stable state after six to twelve months; because it is already antiqued in appearance, this early reaction does not change the overall look. As a default practice we offer a protective wipe-on PU coat on this finish only. If a designer prefers natural uncoated ageing, we can leave it untreated like the other finishes. A PU coat helps keep the surface as shipped, but does not create a fully uniform patina.

7. Stone, Marble & Inlay

Every block of marble or stone is unique, so colour, veining and surface character vary from piece to piece. The following are inherent to our stonework and are not defects:

Natural variation. Natural stones carry variations that only appear during processing. Marble can have unexpected veining, sandstone may contain cavities, and even uniform slabs can have varying porosity that affects polish. We select our materials carefully, but a flawless stone cannot be guaranteed, and this variation is part of the character of every piece.

Untreated surfaces. Our marble work is not treated with an added finish, which allows the stone to age naturally over time. Pieces can be coated with a suitable protective layer on request.

Handling. Marble is in some ways like glass: strong and long lasting when handled properly, but liable to chip if mishandled. Pieces must never be rolled, pulled, pushed or slid across any surface.

Staining. All stone tops and surfaces that come into contact with oily liquids or food are subject to permanent staining.

Outdoor use and weather. Our solid marble pieces are durable and withstand typical weather including high heat, rain and freezing. Intricately carved or inlaid marble is more vulnerable to extreme temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles. As with any natural material, marble can be affected by acid rain and pollution over time.

8. Care & Maintenance

Care instructions are supplied with every Product and should be followed.

Metal surfaces in particular are susceptible to fingerprints, scratches, abrasions, moisture and cleaning chemicals. Please avoid dragging objects across the surface, placing unsuitable objects directly on the Product, or using abrasive cleaning materials.

Stone surfaces should be protected from oils, acidic liquids and food contact, and should be lifted rather than dragged when moved.

Natural ageing and patination of materials is expected and forms part of the intended appearance.

Damage resulting from improper care, unsuitable environmental conditions, or handling inconsistent with the supplied care instructions is not covered as a manufacturing defect.

9. Orders & Payment

Orders are confirmed only after the required deposit has been received and the order has been formally accepted by us.

Our standard payment structure is:

• 50% deposit before production begins

• 50% balance before shipment

For larger or specially commissioned orders a different structure may apply, including 75% deposit and 25% balance before shipment, as specified in the quotation or order confirmation.

The payment schedule stated in the Customer's quotation, invoice, purchase order or written order confirmation takes precedence for that order.

Products will not be shipped until all amounts due have been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

10. Production Lead Times

Lead times are estimates based on the production schedule at the time of quotation.

Lead times begin only after: the required deposit has been received; all required drawings have been approved; materials, samples and specifications have been finalised; and any other information required to begin production has been received.

Lead times are estimates and are not guaranteed delivery dates. Our pieces are made by hand, by individual craftspeople, in workshops that are part of a wider network of specialist trades. Materials, carvers, metalworkers, polishers and finishers each move at the pace the work requires, and a single piece may pass through several hands and several workshops before completion.

Delays may occur for reasons outside our reasonable control, including material availability and sourcing, the availability of individual master craftspeople, workshop scheduling across multiple trades, religious and cultural observances, illness, transportation, and other production circumstances. We honour the traditional calendar and community commitments of the artisans we work with, and we do not compress their work to meet an arbitrary date at the expense of quality.

We will keep the Customer informed of any material delay and complete the Product as soon as is reasonably possible. We are not liable for losses, costs or damages arising from a delay in production or delivery, and a delay does not entitle the Customer to cancel an order except as set out in Section 16.

Where a project has a firm installation or event deadline, please tell us before placing the order so that we can advise honestly on feasibility.

11. Shipping

Shipping is quoted separately based on the Product, quantity, destination, dimensions, weight, packing requirements and prevailing freight rates.

Shipping estimates provided at the time of quotation are not guaranteed final rates. Freight rates are volatile and may need to be re-quoted or reconfirmed closer to the time of shipment.

Unless stated otherwise, shipping is FOB India or as specified in the quotation.

Transit times for air or sea freight are estimates and do not include every stage of customs processing, port handling or local delivery scheduling.

12. Customs, Duties, Tariffs & Taxes

Unless specifically stated otherwise in writing, customs duties, import tariffs, VAT, GST, sales tax, brokerage, destination charges, clearance and storage charges and other destination-side taxes or fees are the responsibility of the Customer.

Any duty or tariff amount quoted by us is an estimate only and is not a guarantee of the final amount assessed by the destination customs authority. Tariffs, customs classifications, freight structures and government regulations may change, and the final amount payable may differ substantially from any estimate provided.

Where applicable, duties and import taxes are payable directly by the Customer to the relevant customs authority, broker or shipping agent.

13. Packing & Delivery

Products are inspected and professionally packed and crated before leaving our facility.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, standard delivery is curbside or ground-level delivery and does not include in-home placement, unpacking, assembly, installation, stair carrying or white-glove service.

The Customer is responsible for ensuring the delivery location is accessible and suitable for the size and weight of the Product, and for providing accurate delivery information including any restrictions concerning access, elevators, stairs, loading areas, building management or delivery appointments.

Additional costs arising from inaccurate delivery information, failed delivery attempts, restricted access, storage, re-delivery or special handling may be charged to the Customer.

14. Inspection Upon Delivery

Customers are strongly encouraged to inspect the crate and Product immediately upon delivery.

Where a Product arrives damaged, the Customer should:

• photograph and, where possible, film the unopened crate before opening

• photograph any visible damage to the packaging

• photograph the Product and the damage after opening

• retain all packaging materials

• notify us and the relevant shipping agent promptly

For shipping insurance purposes, damage may need to be reported within the period specified by the carrier or insurer. Failure to provide timely documentation may prevent a successful claim.

15. Damage During Transit

Once a Product has been properly packed and handed to the carrier, responsibility for transit damage is subject to the applicable shipping and insurance terms.

We will reasonably assist the Customer with the documentation and communication required for a shipping claim.

We cannot guarantee acceptance of an insurance claim where the required documentation, photographs, inspection or reporting deadlines have not been followed.

16. Returns & Cancellation

Because our Products are made to order and frequently customised, they are not eligible for return on the basis of a change of mind after production has commenced.

A cancellation requested before production begins may be considered subject to our written approval.

Where an order is cancelled before production begins, a cancellation charge of 25% applies.

Where production has already commenced, the cancellation charge is 50%, or a higher amount where substantial customised production, materials or procurement costs have already been incurred.

Customised, bespoke or specially commissioned Products may not be cancellable or returnable once production has commenced.

Any specific cancellation terms stated in the quotation or order confirmation will apply to that order.

17. Defects & Service

We stand behind the quality of our Products and will make reasonable efforts to address genuine manufacturing defects reported within the applicable service period.

Handmade Products develop natural changes over time, including oxidation, patina, surface variation and minor movement. As set out in Sections 6 and 7, these are not defects.

Where a Product requires restoration, polishing, adjustment or other remedial work, we will determine the appropriate method and whether the work falls under our service responsibility.

Certain restoration services require the Product to be returned to our workshop or brought to an appropriate service location. We may not be able to provide restoration services at third-party stores, showrooms or consignment locations.

18. Intellectual Property

All designs, drawings, photographs, images, product names, descriptions and artwork appearing on our website or supplied by us remain our property or that of their respective rights holders, and may not be reproduced, copied, modified, commercially exploited or distributed without prior written permission.

Customisation of a Product does not transfer ownership of our underlying design, drawings, construction methods or intellectual property.

19. Force Majeure

We will not be responsible for delays or failure to perform caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, civil unrest, government restrictions, changes in customs regulations, transportation disruption, strikes, illness, epidemics, material shortages, workshop disruption or equipment failure.

Where such circumstances occur we will make reasonable efforts to minimise the impact and complete the order as soon as practicable.

20. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, our liability in connection with any Product is limited to the amount actually paid to us for that Product.

We shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special or economic losses, including loss of business, profits or opportunity, except where such limitation is prohibited by applicable law.

21. Accuracy of Customer Information

The Customer is responsible for providing accurate information necessary for production and delivery, including dimensions, addresses, contact information, delivery requirements and access information.

We are not responsible for costs or delays resulting from incorrect, incomplete or late information supplied by the Customer.

22. Trade & Contract Orders

For trade, hospitality, commercial, architectural and interior-design projects, the terms stated in the approved quotation, purchase order, invoice or other written project documentation may supplement or supersede these general Terms & Conditions where expressly agreed.

Where a conflict exists, the specific written terms agreed for the particular order govern that order.

23. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws applicable to the legal entity issuing the invoice and accepting the order, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.

Any dispute is subject to the jurisdiction and dispute-resolution mechanism specified in the applicable order documentation.

24. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time. The version applicable to an order is the version in effect and incorporated into the applicable quotation or order confirmation at the time the order is accepted.

Contact

Stephanie Odegard Co. Ltd. 135 East 55th Street, Suite 602, New York, NY 10022 info@sodegardglobal.com · (212) 925-4062