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:: 2012 ~ The International Year of Reading::

The worldwide web is a wonderful tool for learning and exploring  BUT you cannot compare it to holding  an actual book in your hands... To feel the pages, smell the newness of a just opened book and to flick through well worn pages is a booklover's joy.

In celebration of this wonderful year of reading we are going to share a few of our favourite books...

 

One of the most concise and informative historical books we have discovered is called (funnily enough)

FURNITURE ; - World Styles from Classcial to Contemporary  by Judith Miller ISBN; 1 4053 0654  8.

This exceptional book covers over 3,000 years of Furniture Design and incorporates over 2,000 colour pictures perfectly illustrating every style and form.

 

 

 From Ancient Greece, to the Shakers, Art Deco , to Pop Interior, 'Furniture'  takes you on a design journey through time.

This is a large book containing over 500 pages worth of informative reading and stunning pictures and illustrations. 

 As furniture designers this book  is a wonderful source of reference and information .

It is so fascinating to read and discover the wonderful talented makers from centuries ago...

This gem of  a book can be purchased /ordered through most good bookstores.

Happy Reading !

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A little too much rain ...

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  http://www.flickr.com/photos/66072291@N07/

Whilst the rain was lovely and well needed , the after effects of torrential downpours can and will play havoc with timber furniture.

You might have noticed in the last couple of days, drawers  and doors not opening properly/easily/ and they almost seem to have increased in size.

This is due to the increase in humidity in the air swelling the delicate timber fibres. 

 Timber acts like a sponge around water absorbing or releasing moisture at any opportunity.  Very few timber finishes will be 100 % water tight, and there will always be some form of water intake .

What to do about this ?? 

 One of the best things is to give it time to dry out; if possible turn on the air conditioning (not on extreme cold) and not directly in front of the furniture  ] this will encourage the drying process.  

Never ever expose the furniture to direct sunlight as this will just compound the problem ! (drying out  not only on the surface but aslo  being hit by the sun causing it to cup or bow and even split  ) 

With a little patience your furniture should return to normal, but if the problem does persist, please do not hesitate to call us on Ph;  07 3256 9000 and we can help you …

 

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Lord of the Forest...

The Kauri Tree is one of the most  hardy and enduring  tree species known to man.  It  is native to Australis (Aus and NZ) This pine tree is an excellent source of timber and is used extensively throughout New Zealand in both residential and commercial projects.

On a recent trip to New Zealand we were lucky to visit the  Waipoua National Forest, on the westcoast of Northland, home of  the oldest known kauri tree in existence.

This ancient beauty is known as Tane Mahuta 0r Lord of the Forest.   This tree is said to be between 1500 and 2000 years old .

It stands at an enormous 51.5m or 169 feet

The width is; 13.77m or 45.2 feet

Diameter is 4.38m or 14.4 feet

Height of first branch: 9.45m – 31 ft

Total height: 51.51m – 169 feet Girth: 13.77m – 45.2 feet Diameter: 4.38m – 14.4 feet

 It is an Agathis Australis of the Araucariaceae family, a variety of tree that is second in height only to the Sequoias of North America. Its massive smooth, grey-white trunk rises 31feet before a branch appears.

 The gigantic specimen is a remanent of the tremendous ancient subtropical rain forest that once grew there, a survivor of 2000 years of intensive logging.

 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
When we visited and took these pictures it was evident that this tree is slowly   dying, there was only a few branches that showed signs of green live foliage.

 When this tree does eventually fall it will severely impact the surrounding flora and fauna but will also allow a lot of sunlight into the forest encouraging saplings to grow skywards

And so  the cycle continues ...

 

 
 

 

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Some TLC for your Timber Furniture...

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Timber furniture is known for its durability, longevity and above all its beauty.  If you treat your timber furniture with a bit of  tender loving care it will reward you for many years to come.. We are often asked for care and maintenance tips for furniture and we would like to share our knowledge ,know how and experience in maintaining your precious timber furniture...

 

First of all  today we will highlight  Some Dont's !

These are easy to remember and are important  factors to remember; -

Please keep away from....

*Furniture can fade and age prematurely so please keep furniture out of direct sunlight !

Keep furniture away from temperature extremes; those blasts of cold air may be refreshing but not so healthy for your lovely dining room table.

Always always remember to use a placemat, tablecloth, magazine etc before using your table as a workbench or beauty bar.  These sorts of spillages can be difficult and costly to repair !

Candles are a wonderful addition to any room creating ambiance and warmth but please have all candles supported by either a sturdy glass holder or something similar that prevents heat and wax from spilling onto the wooden surface.

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*For specific advice on repairs to your furniture we are happy to help you

PH; 3256 9000  or drop us an email

We would love to help !

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Making a Statement with Upholstry

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Designing a lounge suite that is classic, yet modern, stylish but would not date and most importantly be very comfortable to spend hours reading,  were the important aspects required for our lovely clients. In collaboration with Stuart a design evolved that worked well with their decor, a design that would be enhanced by striking upholstry . Using recyled Tasmanian Oak these gorgeous lounge room furniture pieces now take pride and place in a very happy  home.

The solid timber construction coupled with professional upholstry ensures that these pieces remain in excellent condition for many lounging  years to come

 

 

 

 

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Designed and Made...By Students

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The students  of Bywater Design School of Fine Furniture continually make us proud with their ongoing achievements.  We love sharing their journeys , their finished pieces as it is inspiring for both teacher and students... The recently completed Qld Maple Entertainment Unit by Bruce, highlights the construction techniques, dovetailing and finishing methods that Bruce has learnt in class...

 

Congratulations Bruce on Designing and Making your Entertainment Unit !

If you would like information on Creating your own beautiful furniture Have a look here .

 
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~~Tree Life ~~ Jarrah ~~

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Stuart was thrilled and proud to be a part of the Great South East  Channel  7 feature on Recycled Timber  - September 4.  When asked  by presenter Martin Bowerman what was his favourite timber species, Stuart was quick to reply ..

".Jarrah ; -   for its many wonderful properties. It does everything right." 

A big statement, with so many wonderful species out there - some we know many we dont know.

 So in the spirit of learning, of informing, entertaining and enlightening we shall embark on disovering the wonderful world of trees...

1)   Jarrah or Eucalyptus Marginata is one of the most important hardwoods of Australia.   "Marginata" relates to the light colored vein around the edge of the leaf.  Jarrah is one of many species of Eucalypt.  The flowers have a magnificent scent and pollinate every other year.    The Jarrah tree is adaptable, using its long complex root and tube  system to store carbydrates and other nutrients thus enabling a young Jarrah tree to grow back after a fire and to tolerate and survive in a harsh drought climate.

The Jarrah Tree can live to an amazing 500 years.

 It is found principally  in the south West of Western Australia.  This versatile hardwood grows to an impressive 30- 40  metres in height and a mammoth 2 metres in diameter.  Jarrah produces a valuable dark durable timber.  In recent years,  natural strands of Jarrah have suffered serious damage from a soil fungus which attacks and destroys the fine feeding roots. 

The gorgeous deep patinas range form red to deep brown, the texture is course and generally straight grained.  Is is for these reasons that we favour using Jarrah in many instances.  Its versatilty, ease of machining and adherance to adhesives and  polishes and lacquers make this Aussie hardwood a Bywater Design Favourite. 

Jarrah Dining Table provides a striking highlight to the Dining Room

Renew, re use, Recycle...

At the Bywater Design Workshop, we always endeavour to use reclaimed or recyled timber.  This option offers so many advantages...  Offsetting and minimising our carbon footprint,

Using materials that would otherwise be thrown on the scrapheap and offering our clients aged timber that has been weathered, dried and shows character, charm and deep patina that is synomous with recycled timber.

Recently, a client requested a hall table for their coastal home... The brief was that it had to be; aesthitcally pleasing to the eye, fit within space constraints,  and most importantly  the timber sourced had to be of a recycled nature.

After design finalisation, we were able to source some recyled hoop pine that was salvaged from a 90 year old home in Paddington... in this instance the rafters of said home were saved from the rubbish pile and proved to be an excellent material for this particular project. 

stunning in simplicity bywater design

 
 

The clients were ecstatic with their new Bywater Design furniture .   And new life was breathed into forgotten timber, giving further delight for generations to come...

The not so humble Ladder...

The Ladder is a practical yet stylish solution to many space/storage problems in the home.  With the clever addition of a solid ladder, additional space can be accessed from various floors. Practical yet solid - made by Bywater Design

 

Ladder of excellence by Stuart Bywater

 

Of course when your book collection increases , so does the need for a bookcase.  Solid bookcases are a masterful addition to any home, housing treasured collections, artifacts and antiques .  Coupled with a ladder for those hard to reach items ... the bookcase becomes the central point in the room

 

 

 

Of course, not all ladders need to be a big bold statement but no matter their size ladders ,create a style, a feel in a room that is truly unique...

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Flights of Fancy...

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As designers we love inspiration.  We love imagination.  We love things that are far flung from the realms of everyday life. Here are a few that have captured us lately...

The Astro Turf Chair The Asto Turf Chair - yes this chair has been covered with extreme precision with astro turf.  A definite statement.

 

 

Furniture made from a bale of hayMaybe not as comfortable as a regular chair but this lounge actually made from a bale of hay is certainly displaying individuality.

 

Perspex chair

Perspex chairs, a talking point definitely but their durability maybe in question...

 

 

Wow Not sure if this is real or an incredible illusion but what a striking visual impact this table makes.  the colour has a lot to do with the punch it makes.

 

We have had lots of fun acquiring these images.  If you have any pictures you would like to share with us we would love to hear from you ; email;  enquiries@bywaterdesign.com.au

 

Images; 1, 2 and 3 sourced from;  DesignMilk

Image 4;  Visual ID

 

 

 

 

 

 

>Coastal Ash Combinations.

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More Silver Ash Love...
Some lovely Coastal Clients requested Silver Ash for their furniture. What a stunning choice to promote the uniqueness of the designs and eccentuate that light coastal feel...
Silver Ash Display Cabinet
with Translucent Blue Doors.

Silver Ash lends itself to both modern and classic designs.
Silver Ash Chest of Drawers

To contrast well with the lightness of the blonde timber .
The Entrance Table was made from
American Cherry (prunus serotina)  and American Walnut (juglans nigra)~

By using contrasting timbers, our clients were able to achieve balance, depth and diversity
without compromising on their decor.