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

OUR APRIL WOODEN SURFBOARD WORKSHOP

What a wonderful 4 days …

Our budding woodworkers had an amazing time learning and developing new skills, making new friends and creating their very own wooden surfboard.

Prior to class our students chose the specifications of their board ie height and design - single fin, thruster pattern for the deck etc etc

There are many and varied considertations when it comes to making your own Surfboard.

A lot of these decisions are based on surfing experience, surf fitness and location of the surf hence each board is unique to the rider , thats what we love so much.

There is no cookie cutter board - the surfboard is made specifically for the rider (lucky them !!)

The end result on Sunday afternoon was a stunning array of hand crafted boards, made lovingly with the surfer’s own two hands

a testament to their love of the surf…


Our first Wooden Surfboard Workshop for 2024

We are excited !

Tomorrow heralds the beginning of our first Surfboard Making class for 2024

During the next 4 days our students will live and breathe woodworking and surfboards

They will be emersed in an atmoshpere of learning, fun, creativity and challenges.

Making new friends, discovering a new passion and basically forgetting that the outside world exists

We cant wait to share our passion and knowledge.

Be sure to keep up to date on our socials for all the fabulous footage as our amazing students create their own wonderful wooden surfboard.

Some happy snaps from previous Surfboard Making classes.

The Making of a special Hoop Pine Desk

Growing up, our client has countless memories of tree climbing adventures with the old hoop pine tree in the backyard,  sadly due to not one but two instances of lightening strikes the tree had to be cut down and consequently milled.

As a result we were able to create two beautiful hoop pine desks for the family home ( as well as provide timber to a wonderful recycled dining table project last month

Apart from their beautiful ambience these desks provide essential office space and storage for the home.

We have used steel legs as per our client request and finished off with a beautiful polish to bring out the wonderful patina of the grain.

A wonderful legacy to childhood memories continue

We were so pleased to be a part of this fantastic timber recycled iniative .

In prep for our first Woodworking class for 2024

We cannot wait !!

Our first class for woodworking will begin in earnest this Saturday !

Our timber masterclass , will see 6 eager students begin their journey of woodworking this weekend .

During the workshop our budding woodworkers will learn the fundamentals of woodworking .

They will become educated in timber and design , gain essential hands on knowledge in a professional workshop and craft their own timber salt and pepper shakers in a morning of fun and productivity

Brisbane woodworking

Restoring family heirlooms

The importance of preserving our history cannot be underestimated and it is for this reason that we impart so much pride and satisfaction in the process of restoration.

For a much loved family heirloom the role of restoration is an important one ; it gives the special piece longevity so that it is able to be kept in the family and passed on for generations and generations.

Our case in point is this lovely travel blanket box

A special piece that has seen many a mile and many a story

We repaired and restored this and kept the integrity and authenticity of the box to keep all the wonderful markings of time

Welcome to a new Season

Happy First day of Autumn.

In what feel like one of the longest ( if not most humid) summers for a long time, we can hopefully soon ( but now now - because well we are in Brisbane) turn the page on some beautiful days.

When the mornings will have just the tiniest bit of freshness about them.

When the days will become a little shorter and that glorious morning sun will rise a little later.

It will become one of the loveliest times of year…

When the seasons change …

When the morning light looks a little different

Mother Nature has a beautiful way of showing off

A very special Jewellery Box

With its rich dark chocolate hues, Ebony timber is a visual delight . An exotic hardwood that we have used for the top of our very special jewellery box.

Its beautiful patina and grain are the feature of the box lid making a wonderful first impression .

Coupled with rosewood, we have designed and made a classic keepsake

The beautiful richness of Ebony

A visual delight

With its many details our special Jewellery Box has a myriad of storage options for rings, necklaces , bracelets and other special tresures that will keep them safe and free from dust and other elements.

With its many and varied compartments, there is a place for every special keepsake.

Little things matter, our attention to detail is second to none

An exercise in craftsmanship our jewellery /keepsake box would be a beautiful addition to your home

Timber Master Class - a new Bywater Design woodworking workshop

We have been sharing our passion and knowledge of woodworking for well over 15 years in our classes.

Our introduction to Woodworking 2 Day Workshop is a popular option for many budding and experienced woodworkers, with coursed dotted through out the year.

This year we have added another class to our calendar

The Timber Homewares Masterclass

This little gem of a class is a half day event that packs a lot into the morning.

In this half day workshop, students will learn proper use of woodworking hand tools from master craftsman, gain knowledge and confidence in the woodworking workshop as well as hone in shaping skills - crafting their own timber salt and pepper shakers as well as be able to competently identity certain timber species - not bad for a few hours of learning and fun.

Once again we like to keep these classes small ( 6 students maximum) to ensure a productive yet relaxed learning environment.

Our March 23 class has sold out and so we are pleased to add an additional date to the 2024 calendar

Saturday June 22.

If you would like to dip your toes into the woodworking obsession journey, please email us for more information on this fabulous workshop

Hand crafted Salt and Pepper Shakers

there is nothing as wonderful the joy of creating something yourself

Restoration Projects of late

We have had the privilege of completing some beautiful restoration projects in the last few months and as always we are proud to share the wonderful results.

Our team pride themselves on their attention to detail and their quality craftmanship on all work

Albeit a chair reglue or a more complex chest of drawer restoration.

We love what we do.

This unique ladder has been restored into a beautiful object d’arrt for our client. We are loving the brass details

How cute are these little silky oak stools - a beautiful keepsake restored to bring out that stunning grain.

A truly unique heirloom, this 1920’s miner’s couch has definitely seen better days but with some extensive repairs and a beautiful repolish this couch is waiting for its upholstery to complete its magnificent makeover

Paulownia - the other Balsa

With its funny sounding name , you would be forgiven for not knowing about this homegrown hardwood.

Paulownia tree in all its flowering glory

A native from Asia and with its name derived from Queen Anna Pavlovna of Russia (1795-1865), Paulownia timber is fast becoming one of the most versatile hardwoods in Australia.

Lighter than Balsa and able to be used in all manner of aquatic sports and activities , including our very own Bywater Surf Timber Surfboards, Paulownia timber is a hardwood that is a pale blonde in colour and with a straight grain making is ideal for woodworking use over a wide spectrum of projects.

Paulownia is the main timber we use for our beautiful hollow wooden surfboards. Paulownia wood is known for its high strength to weight ratio, dimensional stability, and hardness, making it ideal for Bywater Surfboards.

In addition to surfboards, Paulownia is an excellent timber choice for any aquatic adventures including canoes, stand up paddle boards and alaias.

This wondeful timber work just as well on dry land and is used by many hobbyists for train making, bread boards, coasters, decking and flooring and even carving, paulownia lends itself to so many projects.

At Bywater Design , we are proud to stock Australian grown Paulownia so no matter the size of your project albeit it rough sawn or dressed all round we are more than happy to help you.

For the latest prices head over to our Paulownia Page and for more information dont hesitate to email us with your paulownia requirements .

Here’s to happy woodworking !!

Beyond the dining table - exploring the joy of the buffet table

One of the hardest-working pieces of furniture in a home, second only to the dining table, is the buffet or sideboard. This essential furniture item houses a range of cherished possessions—from the "for special occasions only" dinnerware to the festive platters brought out during Christmas, and the handcrafted tablecloths that were made by a great aunt.

These timeless treasures elevate any celebration by their mere presence.

 

Each of these gems deserves a dedicated home, which is why a buffet table, sideboard, or even an entertainment unit plays such a crucial role in your home

 

When designing and crafting a buffet, we aim to create a true reflection of the owner's personal tastes and preferences.

The design possibilities and material choices are virtually limitless when it comes to custom-made pieces. We’ve highlighted below a few pieces we've created in recent years that exemplify the timeless beauty of timber and its transformative potential.

And we welcome in a brand New Year ...

Happy 2024 !

Here we are already in the throes of January, Christmas seems a distant memory now as we head into the second week of the new year.

We hope you managed to “carve out” some restful time during the Christmas and New Year period, things can certainly get frenetic in the lead up to the festive season .

We are rested and recharged and all the team are back in the workshop beginning new and exciting projects for 2024 !

May it be a healthy and happy year for all :)

Beautiful Makeovers this month

As we begin to embrace a new month ( and a new season!!) we take a look at some of the wonderful restoration projects we have had the joy of undertaking this month …

With its delicate tapestry, this quaint occasional table was carefully repaired and then repolished to bring this cute piece back to its beautiful original glory.

This beautiful rather grand Oak sideboard, was rescued from the 2021 Brisbane floods, as you can see from the watermarks .

We carefully repaired all internal and external damage and gave it a beautiful fresh polish to make this spectacular piece “Pop” !!

This beautiful 1920’s miners couch, hold high sentimental value for our lovely client, and we were only too happy to restore and really enhance the rich grain of the timbers, as you can see the results are just beautiful and all ready for the upholster to work his magic …

There is an entertainment unit for everyone ...

The not so humble entertainment unit really has a tough gig . It has to house important components, maybe not so much the “old school” dvd and blu ray equipment ( with thanks to the endless streaming platforms now available) but our cherished hi fi components along with the sacred and highly sentimental and often questionable vinyl collection , it may also house various cables and also give a stylish home to objects d’art as well as those wonderful family portraits that showcase the fabulous family milestones.

So no biggy right , when it comes to the often central point in the lounge room/media room/sitting room /tv room or the common room.

The entertainment unit is more than likely an extension of our decor preferences so that it can blend in effortlessly with its surrounds, and so the choice of design let alone timber or material choice is limitless as that proverbial piece of string .

Sleek and elegant, this classic style entertainment unit is a stylish home for a well curated vinyl collection.

So where does one start

Wel,l narrowing down the essential elements of the unit is a good start -

taking into consideration but not limiting yourself to these factors

  • tv and associated components , what do you have or what will you be adding in the future

  • are you a stereophile - will there be need for a turntable, speaker , amplifier etc etc

  • vinyl - are you an avid collector )( with a growing need for more ) or does the collection stop

    at one or two essential classics ?

  • for the love of art - is adding your favourite collectibles an essential part of the unit or strictly business


Once you have narrowed down your non negotiables , its time to look at practicalities

  • the space allowed for the new unit- how much room do you really have ?

  • will it be flush against the wall - if so which wall ?

  • window treatment - will the unit be receiving lots of natural light -

  • lighting - good lighting from above , or a fabulous table /floor lamp can really elevate the ambience of a piece

  • foot traffic - is it going to encroach on walkways or be in the road of something else

Simplicity is key, our black classic entertainment unit is a wonderful companion to the adjoining bookcase

Once the essentials are compiled then the fun really begins…

But it all boils down to “what do you really like?”

Classic, retro, edgy, ornate, mid century -, painted , not painted the options are endless, and although the options are endless it can be an exhausting exercise drilling down the final choices for a design

But making a list of suitable designs, leaving it for a few days then trimming one off , followed by a rest and then repeating the process can make the final choise a well thought out considered exercise

With a nod to art deco - this beautiful entertainment unit, features stunning silk to enhance the bold front design


Once the final choice/s ( we suggest up to three) is made then its time to talk

Stuart it is a wizard at taking a concept and turning it into a drawing that can really make sense to the untrained eye of how something will look in real life.

Budget considerations are of course paramount to any project and is the first priority in undertakingany project.

Alternatives can be given or modifications suggested so that the dream piece youve been wanting can become a little more attainable .


Simplicity at its best - our cantilver entertainment unit ,ticks all the style and practicality boxes

The epitome of minimalism, our grey tpac entertainment is perfect for apartment living.

Whatever your vibe, whatever your style , there is no right or wrong (trends will always come and go ) - it boils down to what you really love , and we have no greater wish than creating forever pieces that our clients fall in love with .

Family heirlooms that are not just a joy to look at , but at a beautiful functional part of everyday life

#lovewhatwedo

Spring things ...

When the weather decides to make up its mind, spring can be the most beautiful time of year.

With those crisp blue skies and those perfect temperature days , and purple reigns …

the perfection of spring blooms

mother nature in all her beauty

And we are awash with the magnificence of Jacarandas.

The elegance and the joy a tree can impart

It really is the simple things in life

The joy of restoring a '77 Streur Racing Kayak

Its not everyday we have the opportunity to restore a beautiful racing machine.

The classic and very fast Streur K1 Lancer (for those playing at home) is a sleek and most beautiful kayak made in 1977 and was a favourite with Olympic contenders due to its finely tuned design that encorporated a lightweight body with excellent directional stability.

Made from Mahogany with a sleek Wenge pinstripe for added wow factor ,the K1 is the ultimate in kayaking sophistication and accelaration and rightly deserved some special treatment to bring it back to its 5 star appearance.

Our K1 ( we are just a little smitten) had a close call with a house fire and so her owner realised it was time to reignite the passion for kayaking and provide the K1 with some TLC.

With the main focus on sanding and polishing , who better than Stuart to provide the multi step process and bring her back to more than her original glory.

Taking pride of place in the polishing booth, Stuart patiently taped and prepped K1 for the ultimate pamper session …

Its all in the prep …


After careful sanding , Stuart then proceeded to apply several coats of polish to bring out the beautiful grain of the Mahogany and Wenge






Perfectly polished

 

Featuring Mahogany and those beautiful Wenge stripes

A truly stunning end result for our unique restoration project.

Our client was beyond thrilled with the outcome and really does promise he will get it in the water , once he gets over the thrill of that beautiful finish.




Preserving History ; rediscovering a timber masterpiece

In a world full of modern conveniences, there is something truly magical about unearthing a hidden treasure from the past.

Recently, our team had the privilege to work on a captivating project that involved a remarkable timber inlay created by a talented woman after the war.

Unveiling a Family Heirloom:

Our client was taken by surprise when she stumbled upon her mother's creation tucked away in long forgotten box at the family home.

It was as if time had stood still within the intricate patterns of the timber inlay.

During a time when there was a scarcity of skilled workers, women were encouraged to pursue "non-traditional" skills, and her mother's talent sprang to life on this forgotten piece.

 Embracing Sentiment and History:

Overwhelmed with joy and a desire to honor her mother's legacy, our client entrusted us with the task of restoring and preserving this exceptional treasure.

The sentimental value attached to the inlay made it even more important to bring it back to its former glory. Our team knew we had an extraordinary responsibility - not only to create a visually stunning piece but also to retain the emotional connection it held.

With meticulous attention to detail, we embarked on the restoration journey, carefully breathing new life into the timber inlay.

Made from a combination of Silky Oak, Silver Ash, and Qld Maple, the inlay's intricate designs came alive once more.

Each stroke was a tribute to the craftspeople of that era, a testament to their talent and dedication.

To showcase this exquisite work of art, we decided to fashion an occasional table around the restored timber inlay

Our choice of Cambia, a versatile and elegant material, complemented the inlay's timeless charm.

With expert craftsmanship, we brought together the old and the new, blending nostalgia with contemporary design.

It was an honour to be able to put into fruition this wonderful slice of history

 

Pre restoration. the Beautiful work of Pearl Moran

Prepping the beautiful inlay

That beautifully restored inlay . The sensational timber really pops after careful restoration.

The addition of cambia highlights the gorgeous grain and the intricate pattern of the inlay

A beautiful end result combining history and craft

Adored and Restored...

There is always a case for Restoration …

The act of preserving something (in particular something of high sentimental value) will always have so many advantages.

From a pure ecological standpoint , restoring and repairing existing furniture considerably reduces our footprint on the planet , thus reducing landfill. A win win situation

It is always a pleasure to restore and repair furniture for our clients - the immense satisfaction we garner through the process is only outweighed by the pure joy and happiness we see when our clients take hold of their furniture.

It truly never gets old.

The recent restoration of our 1940’s English Oak Chest of Drawers is a beautiful example of restoring somethng from the past and keeping the beautiful memories it holds alongside with it …

in need of some restoration and care

More than just costmetic repairs, those drawers really need some attention

Our repair process for this Chest Of drawers required extensive work to the the body of the cabinet, as well as working our magic on those drawers, so that they glide effortlessly every time .

The whole process was finshed with a clean and a beautiful wax finish to bring out the deep hue of the original stain

A beautiful end result

No more annoying stuck drawers .

Our beautiful restored Chest of Drawers is a wonderful example of keeping yesteryear alive.