Handmade timber looks better when the finish suits the object. Oil keeps a tactile feel, wax adds a soft sheen and a hard-wearing coating offers more protection where hands and spills are common.
Start with the material
Ask how the wood was prepared and whether the finish can be refreshed. A piece that can be lightly cleaned and re-oiled may age more gracefully than one that becomes difficult to repair.
A useful way to live with it
Keep direct heat and standing water away from timber. Use coasters, lift objects rather than dragging them and accept small marks as part of a material that is meant to live with you.
Small checks make a difference
Take measurements, leave room for maintenance and choose pieces that can be repaired. Handmade decor rewards attention because its texture and character become more interesting with care.