Altura Furniture

History

• Altura Furniture was founded in New York City in 1983.
• The company now operates a state-of-the-art workshop in Portland, Oregon.
• Altura has been designing and manufacturing wood furniture for more than 40 years.
• Portland's mix of creative design culture and appreciation of skilled craft aligns with Altura's approach to furniture-making.

Products

Altura specializes in high-end wood furniture, including (but not limited to):

• Dining tables
• Occasional tables
• Bedside and cocktail tables
• Consoles and desks
• Chairs, benches and stools
• Casegoods and beds

Each piece is made to order, with an emphasis on refined detailing, proportion, and finish.

Design Philosophy and Craftsmanship

• Altura is known for the timeless simplicity of its modern classic designs.
• Showrooms have referred to the partners as "masters of subtlety," reflecting their focus on nuanced details and balanced proportions.
• Designs are developed to balance visual appeal with functionality and superior structural integrity.
• Every line, joint and surface reflects an ongoing quest for precision and quality.
• Many designs are offered in a wide variety of sizes and configurations to suit different projects.

Founding Partners

Jeff Behnke

• Trained in woodworking and furniture design (BFA from the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology).
• Apprenticed with sculptor and furniture artist Wendell Castle.
• Founded Altura Studios, a boutique cabinet and furniture-making shop, in New York City in 1983.
• Draws inspiration from period styles, natural forms and discoveries made during the manufacturing process, often working directly with wood to develop first editions.

Roland Zehetbauer

• Comes from an Austrian family woodworking tradition.
• Formally trained at HTL Mödling, a school for woodworking and interior design in Vienna.
• Holds the title of "Tischlermeister" (master furniture maker) from the Austrian Woodworkers Guild.
• Known for turning design concepts into buildable furniture through careful planning, drawings, processes and detailing.

How Altura Works With Clients

• Altura primarily serves design trade professionals, such as interior designers and architects, through a network of showrooms across the United States.
• Each piece is made to order to the client's specifications, often with options for size, configuration and finish.
• The company emphasizes thoughtful, sustainable manufacturing practices and attentive customer service throughout the design and fabrication process.

Access to Pricing

Altura's products are highly configurable and made to order, so accurate pricing depends on the specific product and options selected.

• A specific product description (model, size, configuration, finish and any special options) is required to provide accurate pricing.
• Trade professionals:
• Contact your regional Altura showroom to request pricing.
• If there is no showroom in your region, you may contact the nearest showroom or contact Altura directly via the website registration form.
• Direct clients (not in the trade):
• If you wish to purchase Altura products but are not a design professional, complete the registration form on the website.
• Altura will help connect you with a designer or buying service that can assist with specifying and purchasing the furniture.

Designer Net vs. Retail Pricing

• Designer net price is a discounted price offered to design professionals.
• It reflects the expertise of design professionals in accurately specifying custom furniture.
• Altura strongly recommends that non-trade clients work with a designer or buying service to ensure the correct product is specified for the intended space.
• Because pieces are made to order with many options, Altura products typically cannot be returned and orders cannot usually be cancelled without charges if the product is not what was expected.

Registration for Design Professionals

Altura offers a separate registration process for members of the design and building trades.

• Design professionals can register on the website to:
• Access pricing information.
• Request catalogs and tear sheets.
• Receive updates and stay informed about Altura products.
• Registration fields typically include:
• Name and business/contact information.
• Role (e.g., purchaser, specifier, showroom).
• A valid business website/URL (required for trade registration).
• Trade registrations may require up to 24 hours for verification before full access is granted.

Registration for Direct Clients

• Individuals who are not in the design trade but wish to purchase Altura furniture may also complete the online registration form.
• After registration, Altura will assist in locating a designer or buying service to help manage the purchase.

Catalogs and Tear Sheets

• The full catalog is available as a downloadable PDF from the Altura website.
• Printed catalogs are available for designers or architects who fill out the registration form.
• Catalog tear sheets for specific items can be obtained by:
• Requesting them from a showroom.
• Printing directly from the product page on the website.
• Requesting them via the registration form.
• Using the "email this" feature on a product page to send a tear sheet by email.

Mailing and Email List

• You can join Altura's mailing and email list by completing the registration form on the website.
• Registered users may receive periodic updates about products, catalogs and company news.

To request pricing or place an order, clients (usually through their designer or showroom) should:

• Choose a specific product.
• Confirm size, configuration and any specialty options.
• Select a standard finish or discuss custom finish requirements.

Customization

Altura can customize its standard products to meet project-specific needs.

• Custom options can include changes to dimensions, configurations and finishes, among others.
• A custom quote is required and is typically arranged through an Altura showroom.
• If there is no showroom in your region, you can contact Altura directly.

Approval Steps for Custom Orders

Custom pieces generally follow a defined approval process:

1. Shop drawing approval

• A custom piece requires a detailed shop drawing.
• The client/designer must approve this drawing to confirm that all requested changes are correct.

2. Finish sample approval (for custom finishes)

• If a custom finish is requested, Altura will provide a finish sample for approval before applying it to the piece.
• The designer may also provide a sample for Altura to match. Altura must approve the finish match before proceeding.
• Typically, custom finish matches are done using Altura's standard satin open pore finish. If the sheen or grain porosity on the supplied sample differs from Altura's standard, that must be communicated so expectations are clear.
• Altura may decline to match certain types of finishes if they are not compatible with its processes.

How Custom Items Are Priced

• Pricing for custom pieces depends on:
• The number of changes made to a standard design.
• The complexity of those changes.
• Even making a piece smaller than a standard size can be more expensive than the standard price because it requires new shop drawings, approvals and cutting lists.

Lead Times

• Standard lead time for fabrication is approximately 12–14 weeks from order placement.
• Rush orders may be possible and are quoted on an individual basis.
• Because each piece is custom-made to order, lead times reflect the careful selection of materials, craftsmanship, advanced construction methods and finishing.

Payments and Terms

• Altura does not accept credit cards at this time.
• A purchase order and 50% deposit are required to place an order.
• The balance and shipping fees are invoiced when the product goes into finishing.
• The final balance must be paid before shipment.
• Due to the custom, made-to-order nature of the furniture, Altura products typically cannot be returned, and orders cannot usually be cancelled without charges once production is underway.

Why Lead Times and Processes Matter

• Altura emphasizes careful material selection, fine craftsmanship, advanced construction techniques and a detailed finishing process.
• The resulting quality, handmade furniture is built specifically for each project and is intended to offer long-term value and satisfaction.

• Telephone: +1 (503) 288-2228
• Email: info@alturafurniture.com

For general inquiries, product questions or assistance with locating a showroom or designer, clients can contact Altura using the phone number or email above, or by using the contact form on the website.

Showrooms and Trade Representation

• Altura sells primarily through trade showrooms across the United States.
• Design trade professionals (interior designers, architects and related trades) typically work with these showrooms to review products, obtain pricing and place orders.
• If there is no showroom in your region, you can:
• Contact the nearest showroom listed on the Altura website, or
• Contact Altura directly using the registration or contact forms.

Online Contact Form

• The website offers a contact form where you can submit:
• First and last name
• Company
• Email address and phone number
• A brief message about your inquiry
• An option to join Altura's mailing and email list

Messages submitted through the contact form are directed to Altura for follow-up.

Catalogs and Tear Sheets

• The latest Altura catalog is available as a downloadable PDF from the website.
• Printed catalogs are available for designers and architects who complete the registration form.
• Tear sheets for specific products can be requested from showrooms, downloaded or printed from product pages, or sent via email using the "email this" feature on each product page.

Mailing and Email List

• Clients and design professionals can request to join Altura's mailing and email list by using the registration or contact forms on the website.
• Subscribers may receive updates about new products, catalogs and other company news.

Everyday Use and Protection

To help preserve the finish:

• Avoid dinnerware and accessories with sharp, gritty or uneven bottoms, which can scratch surfaces.
• Use felt pads under table accessories and objects placed on furniture surfaces.
• Objects left in the same position for long periods may create lighter spots beneath them, as the surrounding area develops more color from light exposure. Moving the object will allow the lighter area to gradually blend in over time.

Cleaning

Daily Cleaning

• Wipe surfaces with a water-dampened cotton cloth, followed immediately by a dry cotton cloth.
• Do not use strong chemical or abrasive cleaners or ammonia-based products on wood furniture.
• Avoid oils and waxy polishes that can leave a greasy or smudgy surface.
• For more challenging cleaning, you may add a small amount of mild liquid soap to the dampened cloth.

Monthly Care (Especially for High-Use Tabletops)

• Altura recommends a monthly cleaning of high-use surfaces with a silicone-free spray polish such as Endust or an equivalent product.
• Altura also recommends "The Original Bee's Wax" polish, which is available online or from local dealers.
• To use:
• Lightly mist the entire area with polish.
• Wipe thoroughly with a 100% cotton cloth, flipping the cloth for a final pass.
• This process cleans, lightly lubricates the surface and adds a soft sheen. It can also help reduce the visibility of light surface scratching.
• Avoid over-polishing, which may make fingerprints more noticeable.

Maintenance and Minor Repairs

Removing Scuff Marks

• For non-tabletop surfaces, light black scuff marks can often be removed by using polish and 0000 steel wool, applied very gently and directly to the marked area.
• This is not recommended for tabletops or highly visible areas, as it may highlight the treated spot.

Filling Small Nicks and Indentations

• Small nicks can be filled using a colored wax stick, available from most hardware stores.
• Color can be adjusted by mixing wax stick colors.
• Rub the wax into the damaged area, remove excess with a firm-edged plastic card, then buff lightly with a clean cloth.

More Complex Repairs

• For more involved touch-ups or repairs, Altura can refer you to a qualified specialist.
• Call 1-800-332-2747, provide your ZIP code, and the operator will share contact information for the nearest touch-up specialist.
• Your designer or showroom may also have recommended repair professionals familiar with fine wood furniture.

Following these guidelines will help maintain the beauty and performance of Altura's wood furniture over time.

Packing and Pre-Wrap

To minimize freight damage, Altura applies a protective pre-wrap process for blanket wrap shipments. This may include:

• A skid platform (if required)
• Foam wrap
• Heavy-duty cardboard corners
• 1/8" hardboard sheets

This level of packing has resulted in very few freight claims over the years.

Approximate Shipping Costs

• For standard blanket wrap service within the continental United States, shipping typically costs around 10–12% of the price of the item or order.
• Items that require crating and trucking usually cost more to ship and may need to be delivered to a receiving warehouse.
• Smaller single items may cost more on a percentage basis, particularly if delivered directly to a residence.

Actual shipping costs can vary based on order size, destination and specific service requirements. Exact freight charges are quoted as part of the order process.

Direct-to-Client Shipping

• Altura can ship directly to residences or receiving warehouses.
• Delivery to locations that require special access or handling (such as certain residential buildings) may affect shipping arrangements and cost.

Damage and Claims

• The use of blanket wrap carriers and extensive pre-wrap is intended to reduce the likelihood of transit damage.
• Any freight damage or shipping-related issues should be documented upon delivery and reported promptly through the appropriate showroom or Altura contact so that a claim can be addressed according to carrier and company procedures.

International and Overseas Shipments

• For overseas projects, Altura typically crates items for protection and arranges shipment to an appropriate warehouse or freight forwarder.
• Transit times and costs for international shipments vary significantly and are provided on a case-by-case basis during quoting and order confirmation.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.