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Restoring for Churchie

Once again, we are truly delighted to be involved in the furniture restoration process at Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane)

. Over the past few weeks during the school holidays, we have been diligently repairing and restoring to ensure that all of the beautiful timber work is in optimum condition for of Term 3.

The elegant and classic Darnell Doors, crafted from Silky Oak, are over 80 years old. Constantly exposed to the harsh afternoon sun, these doors require careful attention and maintenance to address the damaging effects of UV exposure, as well as to preserve and prolong their stunning high-gloss finish.

We carefully took the doors back to our workshop, where we meticulously removed the old finish and then sanded them down until the timber was perfectly smooth to the touch

We then applied a rich stain followed by a beautiful polish to enhance the natural beauty of the wood grain.

To further protect and preserve the doors' exquisite appearance, we treated them with a marine-grade epoxy finish, ensuring they remain stunning for years to come.

A stunning finish for these iconic doors.

Discover the wonderful world of Woodworking with us

If you’ve ever had a hankering to make something for yourself, learn a new skill, or get creative by engaging the left side of your brain, then it’s the perfect time to indulge in some well-deserved “me” time.

Join us for our immersive two-day introduction to woodworking class happening on July 19 and 25.

This hands-on course is all about diving right into crafting your very own table—whether it’s an entrance table, a coffee table, or a small desk. You will take the lead as both the designer and the maker, bringing your vision to life.

Throughout the class, we will carefully guide you through every step of the process, from initial design concepts to full construction, followed by sanding and finishing touches. By the end of the two days, you’ll not only walk away with a beautifully crafted piece that is uniquely yours but also gain a wealth of woodworking skills that will serve you for a lifetime.

We have only two positions left in our Winter Woodworking Workshop, so please get in touch now to secure your position in our very popular Brisbane Class

Restoring a Marble Washstand

We have waved our magic wand once again (well, not literally—but our dedicated and hardworking professional team certainly knows all the right moves) and carefully restored this rather elegant Marble Washstand.

This classic piece was in need of extensive repairs, particularly to the damaged and missing veneers that really detracted from the overall beauty of the item

Next, we meticulously repaired the drawers, ensuring they now glide effortlessly with every use. There is nothing more frustrating than stuck drawers, which can ultimately cause additional strain and damage to the rest of the piece over time

. After completing all the necessary repairs, we finished the washstand with a rich cedar stain and a beautiful semi-gloss finish, perfectly enhancing all those exquisite traditional features

. A truly gorgeous final result for our June restoration project.

Braving the elements for our Winter Surfboard Making Workshop

It was certainly a brisk and invigorating start to our June Hollow Wooden Surfboard Making Workshop…

The fine, cold mornings, paired perfectly with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, were just the right combination to ramp up the energy and enthusiasm of our dedicated surfboard making legends.

From Thursday through to Sunday (inclusive) our keen woodworkers diligently glued, sanded, and carefully shaped their way toward surfboard nirvana, crafting stunning, beautifully hollow wooden surfboards with skill and passion.

We are absolutely stoked about the beautiful outcome of these boards, and now they are in the glassing booth, patiently waiting for Stuart to weave his magic .

A second life in colour

A colour makeover can breathe new life into tired cane and timber furniture.

Whether its a bold black transformation , or a new crisp white look , or a dramatic royal blue the right finish can completely transform both the furniture and the entire look of the room.

From dated to modern, a new pop of colour can bring the wow factor back into the home.

Often the simplest of moves can have a dramatic impact giving new vibes for minimum outlay

We have chosen a few examples below of how a fresh exciting coat of paint can really change your world.

Be bold, be bright !

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