The Made-to-Order Proces
The Made-to-Order Process
We do not hold stock. Nothing sits in a warehouse waiting for a buyer. Your piece is built after you order it, in the material and colour you selected. This page explains what happens between your order and your delivery, and how long each stage takes.
Why we work this way
Holding stock means guessing which colours will sell, producing in volume, and discounting whatever is left. Building to order removes that guesswork. It lets us offer over 100 material and colour combinations instead of the three or four a stockholding retailer can carry, and it means no piece is ever produced that nobody wanted.
The trade-off is time. A made-to-order piece takes weeks, not days. Everything below is designed to make that wait predictable.
Step 1 — You choose your configuration
On each product page you select your material and colour from the options available for that piece. Dimensions, construction and care details are listed on the page itself. If you are unsure which material suits your room, email us before ordering and we will advise.
Duration: as long as you need. We are available throughout.
Step 2 — Order confirmation
You receive a confirmation email immediately after checkout, listing your piece, your material and colour selection, and your order number. Check this email carefully. If anything is wrong, reply within 24 hours and we will correct it before production begins.
Duration: immediate.
Step 3 — Order review and material allocation
Our team reviews every order by hand. We confirm your material selection is available, allocate the fabric or hide to your piece, and schedule it into the workshop. If your material is temporarily unavailable, or if your piece will take longer than the standard range, we email you before starting.
This is also the last point at which your order can be modified or cancelled free of charge.
Duration: 1 to 2 business days.
Step 4 — Production
Your piece is built. The frame is assembled and reinforced, foam is cut and shaped to the silhouette, and the upholstery is cut, sewn and fitted by hand. Curved shells are laminated and pressed. Metal bases are finished and fitted.
- Sofas, armchairs and seating: 2 to 3 weeks
- Larger or more complex pieces, including coffee and dining tables: 2 to 4 weeks
Duration: 2 to 4 weeks depending on the piece.
Step 5 — Quality control and packing
Before your piece leaves the workshop it is inspected: frame stability, seam alignment, upholstery tension, cushion fit, and the finish of bases and legs. It is then wrapped in protective layers and boxed for transit.
Duration: included in production time.
Step 6 — Shipping
Your piece ships DDP, meaning all duties and import taxes are paid by us in advance. You receive a tracking number by email as soon as it leaves the workshop, and you can follow it on our tracking page.
- Lighter pieces in suede, corduroy, chenille or bouclé: 9 to 14 business days
- Heavier pieces such as leather sofas and stone tables: 30 to 35 business days
Duration: 9 to 35 business days depending on the piece and destination.
Step 7 — Delivery
The carrier contacts you to agree a delivery window. Delivery is made to your door at street level, and someone aged 18 or over must sign for it. Inspect the outer packaging before signing, and note any visible damage on the carrier's document.
Duration: one appointment.
Total timeline at a glance
| Piece | Production | Delivery | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric sofa or armchair | 2–3 weeks | 9–14 business days | Approx. 4–6 weeks |
| Leather sofa or armchair | 2–3 weeks | 30–35 business days | Approx. 8–10 weeks |
| Stone or marble table | 2–4 weeks | 30–35 business days | Approx. 9–11 weeks |
What handmade means for your piece
Because each piece is built individually by hand, small variations occur between one example and the next: minor differences in dimensions, in the position of a seam, in the exact tone of a fabric batch or the grain of a hide. These variations are inherent to handmade furniture and are not considered defects. Structural faults, faulty seams, damaged upholstery and transit damage are defects, and we resolve them at our cost under our Returns & Refunds terms.
Changing or cancelling your order
You can change or cancel your order free of charge within 24 hours of placing it, provided production has not started. After that, once materials have been cut, changes are no longer possible. Full terms are on our Returns & Refunds page.
Trade and volume orders
For hotels, designers, retailers and staging companies, production is scheduled separately and timelines are agreed per project. The minimum trade order is 5 pieces. See our Pro page.
Questions
Email Contact@dreamoa.com or message +33 7 80 02 55 10. We reply within 48 hours.