
A Few Things to Know
Naturally Rare is a little different.
Pieces are made, restored or carefully gathered in small numbers - often just one - and many have been created using natural, reclaimed or previously loved materials. That individuality is a huge part of their charm, but there are a few helpful things to know before choosing your piece.
Beautifully Imperfect
Naturally Rare is not about mass-produced perfection.
You may find knots, grain variations, little cracks, old markings, uneven textures, glaze variations, tool marks and signs of a piece’s previous life. These are all part of its character and, in our eyes, often what makes it perfect.
Just like each and every one of us, it is the little imperfections that make every piece more special.
We will always photograph and describe anything particularly noticeable so you know exactly what you are welcoming into your home.
Photographs and Colour
We take great care to photograph every piece as naturally and accurately as possible.
Colours and tones may look slightly different depending on the lighting, your screen settings and the device you are using. Natural materials can also change beautifully in appearance throughout the day as the light moves around them.
Measurements are provided as accurately as possible, although naturally shaped and handmade pieces do not always fit neatly into perfectly straight lines.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed and salvaged wood is carefully selected, cleaned and treated as appropriate before being used in our work.
Historic marks, knots, weathering and signs of age may remain visible. Rather than trying to erase its past, we aim to preserve the character and story that made the material special in the first place.
Unless otherwise stated, wooden pieces are intended for indoor use and should be protected from damp, excessive heat and prolonged direct sunlight.
Lighting
The electrical fittings incorporated into our lighting pieces are professionally manufactured components.
Once installed within the finished artwork, each completed lighting piece is electrically safety tested before it leaves Naturally Rare.
We recommend using low-heat LED bulbs and following the bulb type and maximum wattage supplied with the piece. Lights should not be left switched on unattended or for extended periods.
Please do not use an electrical piece if its cable, plug or fitting has become damaged.
Candles
Wherever possible, we recommend reusable LED candles - especially around reclaimed wood, dried foliage and other natural materials.
Where a piece is suitable for real candles, this will be made clear within its description. As with any open flame, candles should never be left unattended and should always be kept safely away from children, pets and anything that may catch fire.
Preparing Your Piece
Every order is individually checked and carefully prepared before leaving us.
Please allow up to seven days for dispatch, although pieces will often be ready much sooner. Particularly delicate or unusual pieces may take a little extra time to package safely, but we will always keep you updated.
Thoughtful Packaging
Wherever possible, your piece will arrive in a carefully selected, second-life box supplied by Reuseabox. Rather than using brand-new cardboard when perfectly good packaging already exists, we choose to give boxes another journey before they are eventually recycled.
Every box is chosen because it remains strong, sound and fully suitable for reuse, so its previous life will never compromise its structural integrity or the protection of your piece. Your parcel may bear a few signs of its former journey, but it will always be thoughtfully and securely packed for the journey to you.
Delivery
Delivery costs will be shown wherever they can be calculated in advance.
Because some pieces are unusually shaped, fragile or larger than a standard parcel, we may need to provide a separate delivery quotation. This will always be made clear within the listing.
Where we arrange delivery, your piece will be carefully packed and sent using an appropriate tracked and insured service.
Please check your delivery details carefully and contact us as soon as possible if anything needs to be changed.
Larger Pieces and Collection
Some larger pieces, including furniture, may be listed for collection only.
We are always happy to provide measurements, collection details and any other information needed to help you obtain a specialist courier quotation. In most cases, we recommend that the buyer chooses and appoints the courier so they can select the service and level of cover they are most comfortable with.
We will photograph or video the piece before it is collected and can provide this record to you. Should there be a problem with a courier you have arranged, we will gladly provide any reasonable photographs or information needed to support your claim.
Please choose a courier experienced in transporting artwork, furniture or delicate objects and make sure your piece is properly insured.
Where possible, you may also ask us to obtain a delivery quotation for you.
If Something Arrives Damaged
We put a great deal of care into preparing every piece and hope it reaches you exactly as it left us.
Should something arrive damaged, please contact us as soon as possible - ideally within 48 hours - at: hello@naturallyrare.co.uk
Please send photographs of:
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The outside of the parcel, box, crate or pallet
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Any visible damage to the packaging
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The piece as it appeared when opened
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The packaging surrounding it
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The damage to the piece itself
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The courier label
Please keep the piece and all of its packaging while we look into what has happened.
Where we arranged the delivery, we will take care of raising the matter with the courier and work with you to find the best possible solution. As many Naturally Rare pieces are one of a kind, an identical replacement may not always be possible.
Choosing and Returning a Piece
We kindly ask you to look carefully through the photographs, description and measurements before purchasing. We are always happy to answer questions or provide an additional photograph where possible.
Naturally Rare does not offer an additional shop-style or discretionary returns service.
For ready-made pieces purchased online, the cancellation rights provided by UK consumer law still apply. Please let us know within 14 days of receiving your piece if you need to return it.
Unless the piece is damaged, faulty or different from its description, the buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for its safe return using a suitable tracked and insured service. It must be returned carefully protected and in the same condition in which it was received.
Commissioned, personalised and made-to-order pieces created especially for you cannot normally be returned simply because you have changed your mind.
None of this affects your rights if something is faulty, damaged or not as described.
Caring for Your Piece
Any care or safety information specific to your piece will be included with it.
Natural materials will continue to age and respond to their surroundings. Gentle changes in tone, grain, texture and patina are all part of their continuing story.
Heavy, hanging or wall-mounted pieces must be installed using fixings suitable for both the weight of the piece and the surface it is being attached to. Where needed, we recommend asking a suitably experienced person to install it.
Decorative pieces should only be used for their intended purpose, and children and pets should always be supervised around delicate, heavy or breakable objects.
Original Artwork
Original Naturally Rare artwork and designs are created by Stephanie Jost.
Purchasing an original gives you ownership of that beautiful physical piece, while the original design and reproduction rights remain with the artist.
Many works are entirely unique and may be signed or recorded as one of one.
Payment
The payment methods currently available will be shown at checkout and may include:
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Credit or debit card
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PayPal
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Bank transfer by prior arrangement
Questions Are Always Welcome
Buying something handmade or one of a kind can feel very different from ordering an ordinary product - and that is precisely how it should feel.
Should you need another photograph, a closer measurement, care advice or help arranging delivery, please get in touch: hello@naturallyrare.co.uk