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

Lets restore some water damaged Tannoy Speakers

Restoring flood-damaged furniture comes with mixed emotions.

While we're thankful for the opportunity to help our clients' furniture return to its original glory—or even surpass it—we can't ignore the unfortunate circumstances that bring us to this point.

Despite that, our resolve remains firm, and we eagerly tackle the challenge that water damage presents.

Take, for instance, these beautiful Walnut veneered Tannoy Speakers that required significant care.

Once they had thoroughly dried out, we crafted new side panels to blend seamlessly with the original structure. It's a delicate balance; sometimes, a piece can end up looking too "new."

Our team meticulously cleaned the speaker's body, ensuring the exquisite walnut veneer was preserved. A thoughtful sanding brought smoothness and evenness, setting the stage for the final repolish. The result? Restored elegance that complements excellent sound.

For those passionate about audio and furniture restoration, these are the transformations that truly resonate

More gorgeous Heritage Door Restoration

Welcome to part two of our Heritage Door Restoration .

These 100 + year old doors have taken a considerable amount of wear and tear , not withstanding the harsh outdoor elements but when you stop and think of all the times they have been opened and closed each day - the mind boggles …

We took a mulitpronged approach to the repair of these doors - being mindful that they are indeed heritage and to keep their beautfiful authenticity and integrity was paramount to us.

Reglueing was a vital component of our process - regaining stability and structure hence safety was our prority.

In addition repairing missing broken beading, cracks and other signs of age brought us to the polishing stage.

For this stage we applied several/many ( a lot) of resin coats, after each application each door was sanded to remove any unevenness and promote a wonderful flat surface….

The end result is nothing short of fabulousness, these beautiful silky oak doors will now happily be ready for the next century .

A wooden surfboard is many a splendid thing ...

At our workshop, we understand that the ideal wooden surfboard is a deeply personal choice. What works for one surfer might not work for another, and that's perfectly okay

A truly tailored board takes into account where you surf, your surfing fitness level, how often you hit the waves, and countless other factors. That's why we offer a stunning collection of surfboard styles and deck patterns—there's something here for everyone.

If you haven’t yet explored our exquisite range of wooden surfboards, now's the perfect time to do so. Our boards are anything but one-size-fits-all; they're crafted with uniqueness in mind.

Speaking of crafting beauty, we're excited to announce that we have only two spots left in our exclusive

2025 Tasmanian Surfboard Workshop. This is your chance to get hands-on experience and create your own masterpiece. Don't hesitate—take this as your sign to enroll today!

For more information or to secure your spot, please email us to request our Tasmanian Surf Info Pack. We can't wait to help you bring your dream board to life

So many beautiful designs to choose from

Custom Making lately ...

As we busily make our way through November (gosh how can we be half way though the month already) our team have been working tirelessly on beautiful restoration pieces as well as exciting custom made projects

Our custom made Red Oak handrail gives its staircase a modern uncluttered look with its custom made wall mounts and with the addition of led strip lights , the ambience in this lovely home is really ramped up.

Our Rosewood Entertainnent unit is a classic piece providing both essential storage and a wonderful anchor to this lovely warm living room .

The beautiful grain highlights the wonderfu components of this piece, comprising of a slide out drawer for the turntable and customised storage. This is a wonderfully curated piece that our client is absolutely wrapt with

Restoring heritage Doors

The overarching advantage of restoration lies in the delightful ability to preserve a cherished part of yesteryear—capturing its inherent beauty while imparting longevity so that it may endure for many years to come. This is exactly what we aimed to achieve with these stunning Silky Oak Heritage Doors.

Being exposed to the outdoors and vulnerable to the elements meant that they were showing signs of "their age," necessitating some essential repairs and care.

Our focus is on ensuring they can live their best life for generations ahead

. Congratulations to our dedicated team, who painstakingly repaired them, and a special shout-out to Stuart, who undertook the intricate task of repolishing to restore them to their original glory.

A behind the scenes look at our Wooden Surfboard Classes

If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at our wooden surfboard classes, look no further! Our friend Gary Tischer recently took the time to chat with our students, diving deep into their thoughts and experiences as they crafted their own hollow wooden surfboards. These classes aren't just about building something beautiful and functional; they’re about discovering new skills, challenging yourself, and connecting with like-minded enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainable craftsmanship.

Many of our students come in with little to no woodworking experience, yet by the end of the class, they leave with a profound and newfound appreciation for the intricate art and science behind the meticulous process of creating a surfboard from scratch. Gary’s engaging conversations with the students revealed not only the pure joy of working with natural materials but also the unique personal connection that develops from building something thoughtfully and intentionally by hand.

It truly becomes a pilgrimage, a meaningful personal journey that resonates deeply with each individual.

 

A behind the scenes look at our classes - thanks Gary

A simply beautiful entrance table …

We’ve been crafting some stunning pieces in the workshop lately, and this gorgeous console entrance table is no exception!

Made from rich Tasmanian oak, it seamlessly blends elegance with intricate fretwork, adding a unique touch of distinction.

 

The table features expertly crafted dovetailed drawers for durability, paired with smooth soft-close runners, ensuring a flawless finish both inside and out.

A perfect balance of style and functionality!

Latest Restoration and repairs - The September Edition

Reviving Treasures: Recent Projects in Our Workshop

The workshop has been humming with excitement this month! We've had the pleasure of breathing new life into many beloved pieces, demonstrating that repairing cherished items is not only eco-friendly but also immensely satisfying.

Having your favorite furnishings professionally repaired adds years to their lifespan, contributing significantly to sustainability. It's a win-win situation—prolonging the life of your cherished pieces while reducing waste.

From Our Workshop

Our professional reglueing processes have brought these charming occasional tables back to their former glory. They are now ready to serve again, adding both function and beauty to any room in your home.

And that stunning dining table? It's once again the centerpiece of the kitchen, ready to host many more years of joyful gatherings and family dinners.

Repairing what you love isn't just about fixing an item; it's about preserving memories and making sustainable choices. Thank you for trusting us with your treasures—each project we undertake is a step towards a more sustainable and beautiful world

beautiful results in our table restoration

tables now ready to function - as tables :)







Transforming Beginners into Skilled Woodworkers

For the last two Saturdays, our woodworking students have been hard at work, learning new skills and putting them into practice

. In a hands-on environment, they've learned essential techniques such as gluing, sanding, routing, and shaping. They've also embraced key design principles that allow them to create pieces tailored to their personal style.

The result? Stunning tables, each one uniquely crafted by the students to suit their individual preferences. Using beautiful rosewood timber known for its excellent durability and aesthetic appeal, these novice woodworkers have produced remarkable works of art.

We’re incredibly proud of their accomplishments. This is what woodworking should be about—not cookie-cutter projects, but unique creations that reflect the maker's vision and effort.

If you’ve never picked up a chisel or held a piece of sandpaper, don’t worry. Our classes are designed for complete beginners and aim to transform enthusiastic amateurs into skilled woodworkers. Join us in 2025 and and create something truly personal and beautiful.

the journey of a woodworker is a rewarding one

Sawdust and seabreezes ...

 Remember our epic road trip to Hobart in 2023 for the Wooden Boat Festival?

What an unforgettable adventure it was!

From hosting our handboard workshops to showcasing our stunning wooden surfboards, we immersed ourselves in the rich maritime culture and explored some of Australia’s most breathtaking landscapes.

 We’re beyond excited to announce that Bywater Design will be back at the 2025 Wooden Boat Festival—this time with not one, but TWO incredible workshops.

Our iconic Hollow Wooden Surfboard Making Workshop and the very popular Boat Festival Wooden Handboard Making workshop.

Whether you're an experienced woodworker or just starting out, these sessions are designed to inspire and engage everyone. Hone in on your bodysurfing technique with your very own mini surfboard or for the ultimate surfing experience create your very own Hollow timber surfboard .

Dive into the world of woodworking with us and create something truly special.

 Stay tuned for more details, and get ready to join us for a unique hands-on experience in beautiful Hobart. See you there!





Role call for our Last Furniture Making class for 2024

 Last Call for Our Ever-Popular Introduction to Furniture Making Workshop for 2024

 

We are excited to announce the final opportunity to join our highly sought-after Introduction to Furniture Making Workshop. This hands-on experience will take place on September 14th and 21st, offering participants a unique chance to dive into the art and craft of furniture making.

Good no make that GREAT ! wood working begins and ends with proper and correct techniques , so embarking on our course is the best way to know the “professional and safe” way to use woodworking handtools and most importantly machinery.

 Under the guidance of our professinal team you will learn essential techniques and gain practical skills that will set the foundation for your future projects.

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your existing skills, this workshop is designed to cater to all levels of expertise.

 Due to the high demand for this workshop, we only have 2 positions available. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, create, and connect with fellow woodworking enthusiasts.

 Secure your spot today and embark on a journey of craftsmanship and creativity!

Scenes from our woodworking classes

We

Enrolling is super easy !

Simply send us an email and we will forward you the registration form with all the wonderful details

Be sure to enrol quickly as we only have two positions left

#lovewhatwedo

Our Winter Surfboard Making Workshop

Despite the rather brisk winter temps (yes even for Brisbane ) our workshop was humming with energy and enthusiasm as our students diligently worked their way through the making and shaping of their amazing wooden surfboards.

Local legend Michael and Hobart expat Ed (and a massive kudos to Ed for making the trip up to Sunny Qld for this event) bonded over glueing , sanding and shaping their boards.

It was a productive yet fun four days where once again we were able to share our passion and knowledge of woodcraft and surfing.

These boards are in the polishing booth now , where Stuart will work his magic and resin coat these magnificent creations of stoke

Timber furniture repairs - why it just makes good sense

Lately we have have been completing a myriad of furniture repairs and our clients have been overwhelmingly delighted with the outcome !

Why ?

Because more often than not the items we are repairing are the most used

A classic example of this would be the humble kitchen chair - the workhorse of the home, often our clients think they are beyond repair but in most cases a good reglue undertaken by our professional team is all that it needs to bring these chairs back to excellent working order.

It doesnt end with the chair reglue.

Life happens and so do accidents and mishpas - broken table legs , chipped tables ,missing or crumbling veneers etc etc

But with professional repairs our adored existing timber furniture can be brought back to its original wonderful working order and go on for many years to come.

Good for the family and great for the planet - as existing furniture is given a new lease of life

The Retro restoration continues ...

You may remember our beautiful retro restoration a few years ago

Beautiful 1940 ,s era kitchen classics, for a little refresher head over to the blog post here

Well we have been able to restore a few more of these classic pieces.

These gorgeous kitchen chairs have seeen their fair share of wear and tea

Our gorgeous retro chairs in need of some tlc

We carefully restored where we needed to and that included the all important glue up - to cement their longevity

Then once all repairs were made , Stuart repolished using a perfect colour match to their original beauty and carefully encapulated all that fresh colour in a final clear coat

The end result is nothing short of stunning

Our beautiful restoration is complete on these wonderful iconic chairs

Its all in the detail

Our June Timber Masterclass

On a cold winters day ( well for Brisbane anyway ) we welcomed 5 new budding woodworkers into the workshop to enjoy a morning of learning , productivity and of course morning tea

Thats what our Masterclass is all about - a little taste into the wonderful world of woodworking, but its not just all cake and coffee our students learn fundamental skills during this time.

Integral skills such as shaping and sanding , using the drill press are all aspects of woodworking that our woodworkers learn and experience first hand .

Culminating in beautifully crafted timber salt and pepper shakers which our students take home with them.

Not bad for a blustery winter morning