Why recycled timber?
Simply put, because it is the best.
“Back in the day”, the loggers simply cut down the best trees from the best forests, in order to mill the best timber for construction. These trees weren’t grown in plantations like today, but simply lived wild and free, with dozens of different species growing together as part of a natural and healthy ecosystem.
As the grain in timber serves as a natural imprint of a tree’s life, it is essentially a photographic record of its journey. We believe that by using recycled timber we are opening a time capsule, offering a glimpse into a wilder, healthier world that has long since disappeared..
With a bit of grit, determination and experience, we are able to bring this timber back to life, and imprint it in modern creations that speak to us on a deeper level.
Some of the main benefits of using recycled timber:
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Recycled timber was often milled from old growth forests that aren’t possible to find today. Due to the trees natural slow, growth the timber is of a very high quality, producing enduring and long-lasting furniture.
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We’re not only preventing new trees from being cut down, but we’re reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. For those who care about the environmental impact of what they buy, recycled timber is unmatched.
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When we talk about character in timber, we are talking about the story a piece has to tell. Slower, and wilder growth produces a deeper, more intricate grain that tells stories of a time long gone. Seasoned over the decades of its life as a building, this grain is as beautiful as timber gets.
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Drying wood is a slow and expensive process, mostly done today by mechanically powered kilns. Recycled timber has been naturally air dried over the decades. Not only is this more sustainable but it produces timber that is more stable meaning it is less likely to move, warp, cup or bend out of shape.
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The timber that we salvage from demolitions in the Northern NSW and southern QLD area is often very dense and hard. These native dense timbers allow the furniture and joinery to take on plenty of wear and tear that comes with living and still continue to look better with age.
OUR TIMBERS
We sort the timber into groups based on colour, density and species to curate mixes that work best for a range of uses and schemes. These mixes are a guide only and part of the beauty of recycled timber is that every piece is unique.
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The most common and most affordable mix. The benefit of working with recycled Australian hardwoods is that all the species are of a similar strong density, weight and grain. Blending the species together creates a classic Australian look that warms any space.
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Mix of lighter blonde and brown toned hardwoods suitable for a wide range of spaces. Our most versatile mix with a golden undertone. Species are mostly Blackbutt and Tallowwood. Expect to see a fairly straight grain and natural gum features.
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Mostly all Spotted Gum, occasionally with other well matched species mixed through. Spotted Gum has a large colour variation from blondes to deep brown to red browns. Expect to see a definitive wavy grain with lots of shimmering fiddleback. A versatile and classic Australian hardwood.
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A dark reddish brown mix that is very rich and atmospheric. The main species is Australian Red Mahogany (Stringybark) with other dense dark hardwoods that blend well, including Spotted Gum, Brush box and Ironbark. This mix works particularly well in a natural finish.
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An extremely dense and heavy hardwood, ideal for structural or outdoor uses. The colour of Ironbark ranges from sandy brown to deep red brown and the grain is generally quite straight.
Our Timber Species
Coastal Browns
Spotted Gum
Mahogany
Ironbark
FINISHING OPTIONS
DRESSED: We plane the pieces back, to reveal the colour and grain within.
A “clean” finish, perfect for benchtops, detailed furniture and cabinetry. Dressing removes the original “skin” of the pieces, revealing the unique grain patterns and definitive black contrasting nail marks.
Finishes:
Natural hard wax oil. This finish will enrich and darken the timber, highlighting the grain. It is food safe, hard wearing and easy to maintain.
Two-pack polyurethane. Extremely durable two part chemical finish only reccomended for the most demanding table tops and benchtops in commercial settings.
NATURAL: We leave the weathered skin of the timber, only lightly working the wood to remove splinters.
The effect is highly organic and feels natural to touch, full of texture and deeply defined character. The markings from the original milling saws are still able to be seen and felt. We can build most pieces with a natural finish, opting for more minimalistic, pure designs that let this unique finish stand out.
Finishes:
Natural hard wax oil. This will enrich and darken the timber, highlighting the sawtooth marks and grain of the timber. It is food safe, hard wearing and easy to maintain.
“Invisible” Water based finish. The water based finish creates a “raw” effect, giving the illusion of no finish at all. This is best when a lighter look is desired.