Antique cupboards for Caldy's sandstone houses

Oak copes with ordinary seasonal change, but persistent damp is not kind to it. Avoid standing a cupboard tight against a cold outside wall, keep the room reasonably ventilated, and open the doors from time to time. A musty smell inside is a sign to improve the air flow.

Both are Welsh press cupboards. A deuddarn is built in two stages, usually a cupboard base with an upper cupboard, while a tridarn adds a third, often an open canopy shelf at the top. That extra stage makes a tridarn taller, so measure carefully in a cottage room.

Possibly, if it separates. Measure the stairs at their narrowest point, the head height above them and any landing turn. Then ask Sara for the dimensions of each stage. Some old cupboards were also made with removable cornices or doors, which helps in tight places.

Ask whether the hinges, lock and key are original or later, and whether the doors close firmly without forcing. Original ironwork can give clues to age, but replacements are common and not a fault in themselves. Knowing which parts have changed helps you judge the piece fairly.

Empty it, brush out the dust with a soft brush, then wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry straight away. Avoid soaking the timber or using household cleaners. Leave the doors open for a few hours so the air can move, and check for any musty smell before putting things back.

Yes, with a layer in between. Oak contains tannins that can mark fabric, so line the shelves with acid-free tissue or a clean cotton sheet. Check the lining now and then, and take everything out if you notice a smell, which is easiest to deal with early.

Old oak cupboards are made from solid timber with joints that have lasted generations, and they can be waxed and cared for rather than replaced. A new cupboard is likely to be lighter and more uniform. If you like character and do not mind a few marks, old is a good fit.

Either works. The phone, 01286 400155, suits quick questions about one piece, while the enquiry form on lifefullcolour.uk suits a longer list of measurements and questions you want to put in writing. Many people find it easier to write the list first, then ring.

Use a soft dry cloth first, and a very small amount of mild metal polish only if needed, kept off the surrounding timber. Aggressive polishing can remove the soft glow that comes with age. Iron fittings usually need nothing more than a wipe and a very light wax.

Seasonal sticking is common in old timber. Check nothing is pressing on the door, then rub a little candle wax or dry soap along the edge that binds. If it sticks all year, or the door has clearly moved, the hinges or frame may need attention, so have a furniture restorer look at it before planing anything.