Restoring an Eames Chair

It was our delight to provide the restoration of these Eames Designed Herman Miller Chairs

Some quick Background Info;

These chairs in particular were designed by Charles and Ray Eames during the period 1950 to 1959

Year of production was 1955

Mid Century Style

Materials used

Metal and Wood

Eames chair prior to restoration and repairs

Eames chairs are not meant to look like this

The Processes we undertook to restore these chairs

Included

Carefully removing the old finish

Repairing and regueing where needed

Repolishing

And re chroming

The classic lines of these iconic chairs lends itself across the generations and is a much sought after furniture item.

Restored and ready to be a part of the the family home for many years to come

The Making of Hoop Pine Cabinets

Purpose built, these cabinets made from solid hoop pine, reflect the classic taste of the home owner as well as offering ample storage.

What a wonderful use for under the stairs

With plenty of storage, these cabinets blend seamlessly into the original decor

Custom Making Hoop Pine Cabinets

The over riding advantage for custom making is that it solves problems and provides solutions.  Furniture is tailor made for each individual circumstance. As each family is different so are their furniture, storage  and lifestyle requirements, there are  no cookie cutter solutions.

Our current project provides ample storage, reducing clutter and is classically designed to enhance the existing decor.

We are in the final stages of completion of Hoop Pine Cabinets with an accompanying wine rack.

sketch of timber cabinet

concept drawings for timber wine rack

Making a hoop pine wine rack

The team in action, custom making a timber cabinet

Once initial sketches are approved by the client tech drawings are made to ensure accuracy ,precision and a smooth production process.

After production, the polishing begins, once again our polishing is colour matched to existing client pieces to ensure a seamless transition into the home.

We also offer gloss, satin and various sheen  options to our clients so once again each piece is an individual and is specifically made to the clients wishes right down to the last detail.

Custom polishing of timber shelves

Timber detail in the grain

With polishing nearly complete, the next step is assembly where we get to put all the beautiful pieces of the puzzle together ...

Stay tuned !

Woodworking Student restores a wonderful Silky Oak Chest of Drawers

We have been running our popular woodworking classes for well over 10 years now and they are a great source of joy and satisfaction for not only our students for us as well.

To see our students learn new skills that are so different from their everyday life and careers is so rewarding.

Sally a Monday night student recently completed all the restoration and repairs on her "old and forgotten " chest of drawers.

Sally undertook all the repairs, modifications, sanding and polishing all by herself.

This was a lot of work, a lot of hours involved and a lot of patience to achieve a wonderful finished result.

Congratulations to Sally !

Sally our woodworking student and her wonderful restored chest of drawers

Restored Silky Oak Chest of drawers

Mogens Lassen Scandinavian 3 legged Stool Restoration

We are currently in the midst of restoring some wonderful mid century Scandinavian furniture.

The clean aesthetic lines , the blonde timbers the ease of design are synonymous with this era of furniture design.

The 3 legged stool designed by Mogens Lassen in 1942 was inspired by the stool used by shoemakers, functional and simplistic in design, it evolved into an elegant 3 legged stool smooth of surface and understated in design.

3 legged stool by Mogens Lassen read for restoratation

The restoration process involved carefully removing the white paint, regluing the legs, sanding and re-polishing to bring out the beauty of the natural grain.

Beautifully restored 3 legged stool by Danish Designer Mogens Lassen

Restored to enhance its classic lines this Mid centruy Oak stool was designed my Mogens Lassen in 1942

Re purposing old furniture

We love makeovers!! Instead of throwing this silky oak dresser to the curb, a Brisbane client came to us to organize a stunning modification.

We repaired, modified to house new copper sinks and repolished to the match the existing decor.

The results are nothing short of amazing and the best thing is that we have re purposed a wonderful piece of furniture where it will now go on for many years to come

Silky Oak Bathroom vanity

Silky Oak Bathroom Vanity

Restoration of an old Locker

There is so much satisfaction gleamed from restoring a wonderful piece of furniture to its former glory.

For both the restorer and the recipient

This old timber locker was in dire need of some TLC.

Locker just begging to be restored

Using time honored traditional woodworking techniques and hard work

this locker was transformed into something wonderful yet highly practical for this busy family...

restoration of locker

IMG_3091

restoring old locker

Art Deco Coffee Table Restoration

We love restoring old forgotten pieces of furniture , items from the shed, under the house, a garage sale... This gorgeous Art Deco coffee table is one of our projects completed this week

Wow what a transformation

Art Deco table in need of some professional restoration

How amazing does this very funky art deco table look now

Highlighting the wonderful veneers on this restored art deco coffee table

Chair Restoration...

One of the most hardworking items of furniture ... the humble chair sometimes just needs a bit of TLC. With our restoration and upholstery services, we bring old, neglected, broken chairs back to life

fuchsia upholstery makes these restored dining chairs pop

Subtle cream colours give a sophisticated lift to these elegant chairs

a touch of glamour to the dining room with these restored and reupholstered chairs

October 2015 Surfboard Making Class

The October Surfboard Making Class was a wonderful success. A great bunch of guys shaped, planed, sanded their way into making their own individual boards all ready to be fibreglassed and then hit the water.

Our sincere thanks to our wonderful workshop manager Dave and Surf Technician Michael for their ongoing support...

Hollow Wooden Surfboard Class Brisbane

board class 15

wooden surfboard class brisbane qld

wooden surfboard class brisbane

Hollow Wooden Surfboards at Mitchell Ogilvie

Our Wonderful Collaboration with Mitchell Ogilvie for their Summer Range in Brisbane CBD.  

wooden surfboard display

hollow wooden surfboard

The Entertainment Unit - The focal point of the Loungeroom

The Entertainment Unit,  often the focal hub of the living room . The Entertainment Unit must be multi functioning, not only providing storage for the TV, Stereo and other media components, but it must also provide the perfect viewing platform , blend and harmonize with the existing decor but not overpower the room and allow for the myriad of seating requirements each home needs.

By choosing to custom make your entertainment unit, you are investing in not just a quality piece of furniture that will outlast mass produced inferior products but infesting in your lifestyle, but in your home, making your viewing and listening experiences a richer experience.

High on Function and Style this Art Deco inspired Entertainment Unit is a classic style statement

Coastal Classic Entertainment Unit rides the waves of style

Sleek and sophisticated add some bold colours for dramatic flair

Casual understated yet chic this entertainment unit enhances its surrounds.

2015 Wooden Surfboard Day -- Gold Coast Australia

The 2015 Wooden Surfboard Day at the Gold Coast was held on what was most likely the most perfect winters day .  

IMG_0497

A clear blue sky and warm winter sun was the perfect backdrop to highlight the amazing and varied collection of Hollow Wooden Surfboards handcrafted in Australia.

We were extremely proud  to be displaying our extensive range of boards... from the sleek pin to the traditional and ever popular ma using paulownia and western red cedar.

Our boards were met with delight and enthusiasm.

A very big thank you to everyone who came, enjoyed an early morning surf with us and for all the wonderful positive feedback :)

A panoramic view of Wooden Board Day Gold Coast 2015

Photoshoot worthy

Smiles all round at the Wooden Board Show

Hollow wooden surfboard day gold coast 2015

Bywater Design Hollow wooden Board day

Wooden Surfboard Classes for 2015

Stuart Bywater Design Bywater Design is proud to offer the following  styles of wooden surfboard making classes to their 2015 Learning calendar

2 DAY SHAPING CLASS

Weekend of October 17th and 18th 2015  

Each day from 9am-4pm

This 2 day shaping class is where all the assembly work is done for you.

You come in and shape your board to your individual requirements, rail shaping and fin placement, and it is ready for glassing after the two days.

Of course Bywater Design offers you the choice of timber, deck patterns, and various board sizes from our catalogue so you are still getting the timber board of your dreams; just the messy assembly work is done for you.

4 DAY MAKING CLASS

 October 15 - 18 2015

Each day from 9am-4pm

Full assembly and gluing of frame,  shaping board, fin placement, and sanding (ready to glass).

For more information or to secure your position please contact us

wooden surfboard classes brisbane

wooden surboard classes

The Global Surfer and Making a Hollow Wooden Surfboard

We were thrilled to be able to give a global traveller and avid Surfer 'E' the opportunity to make his own hollow wooden surfboard. During the week, E who in his words, has no woodworking experience apart from sharpening a pencil, learnt basic woodworking skills such as sharpening  a hand plane, shaping, sanding of his board and fin placement.  We then went on to fully glass the board.

But don't just take our word for it ... Have a look at our very first YouTube

Qld Maple Display and Storage Unit

The Qld Maple Display and Storage Unit is the the final  accompaniment to the stunning Qld Maple Desk and Entertainment Unit , just previously made for one of our wonderful clients.

With subtle curved sides , mirror back and glass shelves, this classic yet highly functional cabinet will provide wonderful storage solutions yet highlight all the wonderful accoutrements that will be contained inside.

Image Gallery Blog Post

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A stunning Makeover -English Oak Sideboard Restoration

There is so much satisfaction gleamed from restoring a wonderful piece of furniture to its former glory. This quaint English Oak Sideboard was in dire need of some attention.

Using traditional techniques, this exquisite piece of history will now take pride of place in the family home and will be enjoyed for many years to come

Queensland Maple Desk and SideBoard

A very happy client took ownership of her new Qld Maple Desk and TV Unit. Featuring Curved legs, arched rails, these classic designs will work beautifully into the new build home.

All custom made furniture from Stuart Bywater Design includes dovetailed drawers and soft close runners.  One of the many advantages of choosing a custom made product.  The quality inclusions add to the longevity of our furniture, ensuring peace of mind and backed by our 20 year guarantee on custom made pieces, you can be assured of value and quality.

Caring for your furniture in Winter...

Winter is a wonderful time in Brisbane, hot chocolates, comfort food,  doona weather but with a drop in temperature there is also a  rapid decline in humidity. With these changes, timber furniture can dry out and possibly split in various places...

You can avoid this by using a suitable furniture wax to promote and keep moisture in the grain.  Simply wax on with a clean dry cloth  and  then wax off any excess, doing this a few times during winter will noticeably enhance your furniture and keep it in pristine condition.

If you are unsure of which wax to use, or you would like to purchase some of our furniture wax please call us on

PH:  3256 9000 or e;  enquiries@bywaterdesign.com.au  and we would love to help you .