What a makeover !!

These beautiful dining chairs came to us in less than ideal conditions …

They had been in storage for many a year and over time they have literally and figuratively fallen apart ( and not just at the seams )

They hold high sentimental value for our client and so we undertook this restoration process with care and attention to those beautiful carved details in the chairs.

Keeping with a similar upholstery to really keep the original look and feel of these chairs was a wise move as the final result is nothing less than amazing …

Restoring a 100 year old Bookcase

This 100-year-old bookcase came into our workshop carrying decades of stories. Worn edges, softened timber, and the quiet marks that only time can create told of years of use and care. Our role wasn’t to make it new again, but to restore it with careful attention and respect for its history. The process focused on stabilising the structure and repairing tired joints while preserving the character that makes a piece like this worth saving. Our client specifically requested a lighter look feel to give it a subtle, refreshed look while keeping its beautiful patina and unique details.

Restoration is always a balance between craftsmanship and restraint; done well, it allows old furniture to keep doing what it was made for without erasing its past.

This bookcase is now ready for its next chapter with solid, functional, and full of quiet charm.

Leopard is always a neutral

A lovely and thoughtful revamp on this classic silky oak footstool.

Our client wanted to keep the striking leopard-themed fabric (and why not — when you’re onto a good thing, stick with it, we say!).

With a fresh new fabric, combined with some beautiful new upholstery and webbing, alongside careful restoration repairs and expert repolishing, this project has culminated in a wonderfully updated yet still “me” look for this cherished footstool.

Restoring Heirlooms - its what we love !

Here at Bywater Design, we believe every heirloom carries a story worth preserving. Our recent restoration of a stunning ebony box is a perfect example of how careful craftsmanship can revive a piece’s beauty and functionality while respecting its history.

  The original ebony veneer top had suffered significant damage, but we salvaged every usable piece to create a new, perfectly matched veneer. Stabilising the outer veneers ensured the box’s structure was secure, while missing sections of ebony were skillfully repaired or replaced for a seamless finish.

  We removed the worn felt insert and replaced it with a vibrant green felt—true to the box’s character but refreshed for longevity. The brass insert was stabilised within a new front panel, and every piece of hardware was cleaned and polished to a full gloss. A custom-made hinge replaced a missing one, and all hidden drawers were tested, adjusted, and fitted with new handcrafted pulls to ensure smooth, effortless movement.

  Polished to Perfection

  Every part of the box was lightly sanded, cleaned, and polished, enhancing the rich ebony grain and the gleam of the brass hardware. All original pieces removed during the process were saved to return to the client, maintaining the box’s complete history and integrity.

  A Piece Reborn

  The result is a pristine, functional, and visually striking ebony box—ready to continue its story for generations to come. Restorations like this not only protect treasured items but also honour the craftsmanship of the past.

 Looking to restore your own heirloom or bespoke piece? Our workshop in Brisbane specialises in fine timber restoration and custom furniture, giving your treasured items the attention they deserve.

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 !

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.

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

Breathing new life into yesteryear

It is always our utmost joy and genuine pleasure to undertake the careful restoration of loved and cherished items of furniture that hold significant meaning for their owners.

The joy and satisfaction our clients receive from our work is something we truly never take for granted.

This particular box, which is nearly a hundred years old and has been treasured for generations, required us to take great care in restoring it while ensuring it retained its character and did not end up looking too new.

Careful and meticulous repairs, along with a fresh new lining and a stunning repolish, culminated in the creation of a wonderful heirloom piece that will be cherished and appreciated for many generations to come.

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

Restoration this Summer

The last few months has seen us busy in the workshop restoring some beautiful pieces for our clients …

All of these items have a beautiful ‘back story’ a history of bygone days.

We have great joy and satisfaction in restoring these treasured pieces , so they can once again be back or if not better than their glorious original self .

Gorgeous 1920’s credenza

This 1920’s credenze , made from Cedar and has such beautiful features. Its looking ok but it could be better …

Beautiful restoration

We repaired where necessary and repolished to bring out that beautiful grain …

Our client was absoluetely thrilled with the end results.

Classic pine writing desk

Elegant pine writing desk, with so many beautiful features, but was needing some repairs and some love .

Once again we made drawer and door repairs including the top …

The power of restoration . Using what we have , taking some time to care and repair and the end results provide many more happy memories

#lovewhatwedo

Restoring Heirlooms

The past month we have been restoring some beautiful pieces of furniture for our clients …

Perhaps one of our favourite pieces has included this beautiful inlay treasure box.

Beauty in the detail

Dated from the 1900’s this gorgeous box comes with history and character.

Our Client was wanting to pass it to her grandson and wanted it restored back to its former glory.

So we happily obliged

before restoration

beautiful finished results

After carefully repairing the veneers and the mother of pearl, Stuart applied a new lining (whilst keeping the original underneath for posterity) and polished to a bring out the gorgeous detail in the inlay

The details in this box are just exquisite

Projects like these give us so much joy, where we are able to help a family carry on their traditions and heirlooms

#lovewhatwedo

Furniture Restoration

It has been an absolute joy to complete some beautiful restoration projects over the last few months.

We love providing a source of joy to our clients when they receive their recently restored piece of yesteryear.

Needing some love

Beautiful end result

Beautiful silky oak table restored

This gorgeous 1920’s Silky Oak Dining Suite with its classic shapes had “good bones” and needed some love to bring out its orginal glory.

We repaired, sanded and Stuart colour matched the finish of these to match the clients existing decor, so these pieces would blend seamlessly to their surrounds and not look new.

Our client then chose some bright floral fabric for the chairs to give a beautiful contrast to the silky oak timber.

A glorious end result to this wonderful era of furniture.

Beautiful blanket box

Blanket boxes are a wonderful practial addition to any home. Our Silky Oak friend here was in need of some TLC and we happily obliged.

Our restoration process included some major repair work to both the internal and external surfaces of this gorgeous 1920’s piece.

Our client once again chose exquisite fabric to complement the warmth of the Silky Oak Grain.

A beautiful old yet new addition to this family home

Some mid week restoration

Going about our day to day work in accordance with strict social distancing of course, is what we are doing at the moment.

Completing wonderful work for our clients gives us such a sense of purpose and pride even more so lately.

We have just completed restoration on this Classic 1920’s Silky Oak Dining Table

ready for the makeover

We repaired, sanded repolished to match our existing decor in our lovely clients home

Beautiful results in our restoration of silky oak dining table

Colourful furniture makeovers

Never underestimating the power of bright beautiful colours, we completed these fabulous makeovers to some classic rattan furniture , with fabulous results

Classic shaped rattan chairs in dire need of some repairs and colour

These chairs are just perfect for outdoor or front deck living. They have such great shape and character.

We were keen to repair what was needed especially around the arms and prepare for the colour.

Big on the wow factor

Our clients chose a dramatic blue to really accentuate the wonderful features of this lounge. We used 2pack high gloss for longevity

We undertook the same process for the accompanying table

Restoration just makes good sense especially with impressive results such as these. What could have been destined for the rubbish bin is now beautifully repaired and restored and ready to begin a wonderful new life

The timely process of restoration

Restoration or refurbishment is the process of repairing, fixing , modifying, repainting and repolishing an item of furniture.

It can often be a lengthy process, as repairs especially to antique pieces that are hundreds of years old require skill, patience and craftsmanship to ensure every detail is completed successfully whilst often keeping the delicate infrastructure intact, especially the case with veneers, paper thin and fragile, the successful repair of these can really make or break a treasured heirloom.

The argument for restoration is a strong one, sustainably wise and of great sentimental value, the journey of restoration is often an emotional one.

The adventure of restoration provides us with such a sense of satisfaction . Being involved in our clients’ family history and being able to restore a much loved item of furniture for them is one of the best things about our work. Being privvy to such an evocative journey reinforces our love of why we do the things we do.

There is so much history in each and every piece, a tapesty of lives interwoven and we are honoured to be able to enrich each and every piece of furniture, albeit it a tiny child’s chair, or grandmother’s dressing table, a great great grandfathers chair or a favourite aunty’s dining table .

Restoration is a gift for now and the future

A forgotten dressing table , some would say has seen better days …

An old dressing table is now a gorgeous new bathroom vanity