(07) 3256 9000 | enquiries@bywaterdesign.com.au

From worn to wonderful - breathing new life into a cedar table

 

There’s something special about a beautiful cedar table — the rich tones, the delicate grain, the timeless presence it brings to a space. But even the most cherished pieces sometimes need a little love to shine again.

 Recently in the workshop, we took on the restoration of this classic cedar table circa 1950..s that had seen better days.

 We began by carefully reglueing the tabletop and underframe, ensuring the structure was strong and stable once more

. Then came the removal of the old, tired finish — stripping it back to reveal the raw cedar beneath. A thorough sanding followed, smoothing out the surface and preparing it for a fresh start.

 Next, we applied a stain to bring back that traditional cedar color — warm, rich, and full of character. Finally, the magic touch: a semi-gloss polish that enhanced the timber’s natural glow without overpowering it, leaving the table looking elegant, revived, and ready for its next chapter.

 Restorations like this remind us why we love what we do. It’s not just about fixing furniture; it’s about honoring craftsmanship, preserving history, and giving beloved pieces a second life.

Honouring the past - The Restoration of 100 yr old chairs ...

These Melbourne Chair Co. chairs, crafted around 1910, are truly a work of art — each one beautifully handcrafted with intricate details of emus and foliage carved into the backs over a century ago.

Time had certainly left its mark on these stunning pieces, and they arrived at our workshop in need of some serious tender loving care.

 We were thrilled to take on the challenge of restoring them to their former glory. The restoration process involved a full reglue to strengthen the frames, careful repairs to the delicate rattan, and crafting a new slat back that seamlessly matched the original design.

Once structurally sound, we turned our attention to the finish, removing the old layers and polishing the timber to achieve a rich black semi-gloss that truly brings out the depth and beauty of the details.

 What a remarkable transformation it’s been — and such a joy to give these magnificent chairs another chapter in their long story.

What a beautiful transformation for these gorgeous chairs

Restoring Retro Charm , A charming 1930's revival

We can’t stop loving on our iconic retro kitchen restoration!

These iconic pieces from the 1930s have been well loved, well used, and naturally showed the signs of time and wear. But now, it was finally time to breathe some fresh life back into them.

 

With great care, we sourced the original colours to ensure every detail stayed true to the era’s charm. We then carefully repaired, restored, and repolished the surfaces, paying close attention to preserving the character while giving them a renewed, vibrant finish.

 

There’s something truly special about bringing history forward — blending nostalgia with craftsmanship to make sure these treasures keep shining for years to come.

LAST CALL; ONE SPOT LEFT FOR 2025 IN OUR SURFBOARD MAKING WORKHSOP

Only one spot left for 2025

Yes, we are just half way through the year and already we have had a massive repsonse to our Hollow Wooden Surfboard Making workshops and as a consequence we have only ONE position left for the rest of this year.

Only one spot left for our October 9 - 12 Surfboard Making Workshop.

Four days in the workshop - shaping your very own hollow wooden surfboard from start to finish: its hand on , all in and something youll be proud of for life.

If youve been thinking about it , now is the time

Get in touch now to secure your spot before it goes

Restoring Elegance - The restoration of a most beautiful FlameMahogany Table

There’s something undeniably captivating about the rich, deep glow of a beautifully restored mahogany table. This particular piece, crafted from stunning flame or curl mahogany, recently came through our workshop in need of a love and attention. Time had taken its toll, leaving the surface looking dull and lifeless, but with the right care and craftsmanship, it’s now shining once again with that signature mahogany warmth.

 

Restoring a table like this is more than just a simple polish. It involves carefully assessing the condition of the timber and meticulously sanding the surface to remove imperfections, and applying a finish that brings out the natural depth and character of the timber.

Our goal with every restoration is to honor the original craftsmanship while breathing new life into the piece.

 In this project, the table underwent a detailed repolishing process.

After extensive repairs to the veneers was completed we began the lengthy and time honoured process of polishing followed by a gentle sand and then repeating this process until a most satisfactory finish was achieved.

The final step involved hand buffing the surface to achieve that flawless, glass-like sheen – a true hallmark of quality restoration.

Flame mahogany is special because of its unique grain patterns that look like flames or flowing water. This beautiful appearance comes from the fork at the tree's base, giving it a stunning finish that is ideal for veneered furniture.

Our Flame Mahogany table is a perfect example of this.

 At Bywater Design, we take pride in restoring timeless pieces like this one. Whether it’s a family heirloom or a cherished vintage find, our goal is to preserve the story behind every piece while ensuring it’s fit for many more years of enjoyment.

Seeing the transformation from a tired, faded surface to a stunning, polished centerpiece is what makes our work so rewarding.

#lovewhatwedo

This Mother's Day - skip the scented candle

This year, why not give Mum something a little different—something hands-on, a bit unexpected, and deeply rewarding?

At Bywater Design, we believe creativity is a gift in itself. That’s why our woodworking classes make such a meaningful present. Whether it's our relaxed Half-Day Timber Masterclass or the more in-depth Two-Day Intro to Woodworking, each experience is about more than tools and timber. It’s about making something real—with your hands, your focus, and maybe even your own design.

No experience needed. Just curiosity, good conversation, and the joy of seeing a piece of timber become something beautiful.

Give Mum the chance to try something new. Or better yet—book in together.

Crafting timber heirlooms by hand ...

It’s not mass-produced. It’s not rushed. It’s a beautiful jewellery box—but not just any. This one is made from rich rosewood and deep, dark ebony, joined by hand-cut dovetails, and lined with sage green macrosuede that feels as soft and quiet as memory itself.

There’s a secret compartment, too.

Not flashy or gimmicky, but thoughtfully built—a little hidden space for something truly precious. Maybe a letter. A keepsake. Something you’d want to pass down.

Every mark of the chisel, every polish of the finish, tells a story. These boxes aren’t just containers. They become heirlooms because they hold not just jewellery, but time.

A history of hands, both the maker’s and the keeper’s.

At Bywater Design, we believe the objects we live with should speak—of care, of craft, and of the quiet power of natural materials. Our rosewood and ebony jewellery box is one of those objects

. It's built to last, and to be loved.

We love creating timber heirlooms

A second chapter - Breathing life into a cherished writing desk

Some pieces carry more than just weight - they carry stories that span years and often generations. This particular timber writing desk came to us, much loved and well worn, and is now full of rich history. Scratches and dents, which mark the years of love and use, tell a story of its previous life, but beneath it all, the craftsmanship and unique character were still evident.

Extensive repairs were made to the drawers, which now fit properly and glide effortlessly, as well as repairs to the body of the desk. We also removed the old finish and applied a carefully chosen stain to bring back that deep, rich mahogany hue

. A glorious repolish has culminated in a wonderful rejuvenation of this beautiful traditional writing desk. It is truly wonderful to be able to complete a restoration such as this and bring so much joy and satisfaction to our clients.

A beautiful transformation for this gorgeous writing desk

Restoring the heart of the home - our Dining Table Restoration

A recent restoration in our Brisbane workshop saw a classic pine dining table transformed from tired and worn to beautifully refreshed.

This piece, with its traditional lines and solid construction is an integral part of the home.

.Years of use had left the surface dull and marked, and the finish no longer did justice to the quality of the timber.

The restoration process involved carefully removing the old finish, taking care not to compromise the integrity of the wood. Once cleaned and prepped, the table was sanded smooth to reveal the fresh grain beneath. A rich mahogany stain was added for a fresh new vibe and then folowed by a lovely polish by Stuart to highlght that beautiful grain …

The table (and those beautifully restored chairs which we talked about here) offer a whole new look for this elegant dining space

A wonderful examply of adored and restored

Bringing new life into a white hat stand

There’s something special about uncovering the natural charm hidden beneath the layers of paint

This hat stand is a great example …

Once we removed the old paint the beauty of the original timber shines through , showing that gorgeous grain texture and warmth

Letting the timber speak for itself is a rewarding process and culminating in a beautiful repolish this hat stand is now ready to be front and centre of the hallway

A beautiful revival

All about the last two Saturdays - an adventure in Woodworking

Once again, the rain certainly did not dampen the enthusiasm and energy of our newly minted woodworkers during the Introduction to Woodworking Workshop we held over the last two Saturdays!

Our eager students gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and invaluable skills over the course of the two days, ultimately completing their beautiful tables in record time.

We absolutely love their thoughtful choice of timber, and of course, our students had the freedom to choose the size and style of their tables, ensuring that each piece was perfect for them. Oh, the joy of custom making! If you are feeling inspired to dip your toes into the wonderful and rewarding world of woodworking our next class is July 19 and 26 - we would love for you to come and join us

Woodworkers in the making

Shop local , right from our gallery !

As well as creating and restoring beautiful timber pieces, we proudly curate an exclusive range of homewares made in our workshop and available in our gallery …

Our workshop takes pride in using ethically sourced timber, ensuring that each item is made with care and attention to detail. From stunning wooden serving platters , to exquisite solid chopping boards and unique candle holders our products are designed to be both beautiful and durable.

By choosing sustainable timber, we help preserve forests for future generations while offering you timeless, eco-friendly pieces for your home.

So, the next time you're looking to refresh your living space, consider shopping local. By buying directly from our workshop, you’re making a positive impact on the planet and supporting the craftsmanship that brings these pieces to life. Your home and the Earth will thank you!

Our First Timber Masterclass for 2025

Despite the torrential rain (yet again), our Timber Masterclass turned out to be a wonderful and incredibly productive day!

We were thrilled to see our enthusiastic woodworking students dive into the world of woodcraft with so much passion and determination. The weather may have been less than ideal, but that didn't dampen anyone’s spirits or stop them from enjoying the learning experience.

Throughout the day, our students were introduced to the essentials of woodworking, from selecting the right type of wood to understanding the tools needed to shape and transform raw timber into something functional and beautiful. The masterclass focused on teaching key techniques such as sanding, shaping, and fine-tuning—skills that are essential for any aspiring woodworker.

By lunchtime our budding woodworkers had crafted their beautifully hand shaped wooden salt and pepper shakers - a wonderfully unique addition to their dining table and something to be very proud of

An heirloom revived ...

This 1930s writing desk, a cherished family heirloom, had stood the test of time in a home for generations. However, after years of use, it had worn down, its surface scratched, its joints loose, and its finish faded. In need of extensive repairs and a repolish, the desk was ready for restoration to bring it back to life.

The repairs were extensive including repairs to the timber feet, the split in the dropdown and replacement of water damaged parts this followed by gentle cleaning of the beautiful leadlight replacing all the hardware and sanding before the all important finish.

Once the repairs were complete Stuart repolished and bought the gorgeous Australian Red Cedar back to it original glory

This restoration wasn’t just about fixing a piece of furniture – it was about preserving a piece of family history. The desk, once again sturdy and radiant, now stands ready for the next generation to create new

Restoring beautiful dining chairs

The amazing results from furniture restoration , never cease to amaze and delight us

The processes can often be long and time consuming ( but hey that’s what we are here for !) but the end results are worth it - every single time

The advantages of restoration as we have mentioned here and here are numerous but instrincially having something you love and cherish and having it at its absolute best is the smartest thing you can do for your furniture .

These gorgeous retro dining chairs are a beautiful example

Our clients were absolutely delighted ( to put it mildly) with the wonderful finished product

These dining chairs will are now back front and centre in the hub of the family home and will be so for many decades to come - love what we do !

Unleash your innerwoodworker

Ever thought about picking up a new hobby?

Curious about woodworking or wondering what a class is like?

If you’re ready to dive into the world of wood, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

We’re kicking off our 2025 Timber Masterclass this Saturday, March 29th, from 8 AM to 1 PM at our Boondall Workshop—and we’d love for you to join us.

No prior experience? No problem! This workshop is designed to introduce you to the basics of woodworking in a fun and relaxed setting. You’ll get hands-on experience shaping and sanding wood, learn how to use some of the bigger tools, and leave with your very own hand-crafted timber salt and pepper shakers.

It’s a fantastic way to spend your Saturday morning, don’t you think?

We’ve only got two spots left, so if you’re ready to take the first step in your woodworking journey, get in touch today and grab your spot before it’s gone!