(07) 3256 9000 | enquiries@bywaterdesign.com.au
Whats happening lately
When a piece of furniture comes into the workshop it often tells a story of years of use and love.
With careful attention to detail and skilled hands we restore to its orginal glory
Today Stuart is putting the final touches onto this most magnificent Mahogany dining table
Just look at that shine
#lovewhatwedo
This Mother’s Day we’re simply taking a moment to say thanks - for the quiet influence , the strong hands and the eye for detail that shaped many of us
A subtle but beautiful restoration of this classic Tall Boy
Made from Solid Maple we have restored in such a way as to bring back that elegant blonde hue that is synomous with Maple timber …
A wonderful repolish to enhance longevity and this tall boy once again stands proud
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.
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
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
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
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
From all of us here at Bywater Design we wish you beautiful Easter filled with love laughter and a little extra chocolate !
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
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!
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
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
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 !
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!
One of the many many (oh we could go on ) joys and advantages of custom making is that you will have exactly what you want and that includes the dimensions of the piece you are having made…
A beautiful example is this hoop pine console unit. Our client who is downsizing no longer needs the big entertainment unit and so a new piece was needed that would beautifully fill her new lounge room and accommodate all her media/tv requirements.
This classic style unit has been stained ( expertly colour matched to blend effortlessly into the existing furniture) to a deep rich mahogany
An elegant new addition to the home that provides function and style
Whilst we have been dodging cyclones , our workshop has been awash with productivity completing some beautiful restoration projects.
This stunning silky oak sideboard stands out as a versatile piece that fits beautifully in any room throughout the home.
In the dining room, it elegantly serves as a sideboard for displaying cherished heirloom dishes, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space.
In the bedroom, it offers much-needed storage options, especially in classic Queensland homes that often lack built-in cabinetry, thus adding an element of charm and functionality to the area
In the entrance way it transforms into a stylish storage solution for keys, sunglasses, and hats and whatever else we deem necessary when we are flying in and out of the home.
An elegant workhorse of the home this beautifully restored silky oak sideboard is going to look magnificent wherever it is placed in the home .
beautiful results for our silky oak sideboard
Sometimes we just don’t want painted timber furniture anymore, and that’s quite okay! For a myriad of reasons, the white finish just isn’t cutting it anymore, and it’s time to return to the natural beauty of the timber.
That’s where we can definitely help.
This beautiful white hat stand has certainly seen better days, so we carefully removed the old paint finish, made the necessary repairs, and completed the restoration with a stunning finish that truly enhances that gorgeous patina
A truly beautiful and elegant addition to the entrance of the home.
how fabulous is this hat stand
As we all navigate through the next couple of days together, please remember to keep yourself safe and secure, and let us take a moment to truly look out for one another while remaining strong and resilient in these challenging times that we are facing.
We’ve got this !!
We have completed some incredible transformations/ restorations with desks that were once bound for the tip becoming stunning focal points of home offices.
These beautiful desks full of character have been carefully restored and brought back to a new glory giving their owner a wonderful new exciting space for their home office
The beauty of a makeover
When our clients request a full gloss finish - we say why not !!
A beautiful (professional) high gloss will definitely add to the wow factor of timber
Done correctly a well applied finish will highlight the beautiful patina of the timber as well as act as a protectant to the timber ensuring longevity of the finished piece
We recently completed this beautiful Jarrah table top for a funky outdoor area - and our client was ecstactic with the result
A classic square table has now become the focal point of this beautiful outdoor sanctuary
