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!

LETS GO ! 2025 WOODWORKING CLASSES

Woohoo !!!

Mark your calendars and don't miss out on these incredible opportunities to elevate your woodworking skills. Reserve your spot today and join a community of passionate woodworkers ready to support and inspire you.

Ready to craft your future? Learn more or sign up now!

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!

Some more beautiful furniture transformations

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

We are so proud of our gallery , heres why !

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

Winter is a great time to make a Wooden Surfboard

Caring for our timber furniture in winter isnt complicated.

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

Family vibes; Restoring Grandpa's table

A much loved , much used gorgeous round cedar table has been in the family for years and has seen many lunches play dates and craft endeavours , but it was not time for some care…

We repaired and repolished to bring back this highly sentimental family favourite back into the now, ready for many many years of play dates fun and good times

Baby you can drive my car ....

Classic never goes out of style

Timber possesses the remarkable ability to elevate a variety of surfaces.

Consider a classic automobile dashboard as an example

. Besides its functionality, timber contributes significantly to the atmosphere, charm, and unique appeal of any surface it adorns.

In the restoration of this vintage hot rod, our choice fell upon Zebrano timber, renowned for its exquisite aesthetic.

Meticulously crafting precise templates ensured a flawless fit for the dashboard cover

. Upon confirming its perfection, we intricately cut, shaped, and meticulously sanded the piece.

The final touch of a lustrous polish brought forth its beauty and elegance. The installation, skillfully carried out by Stuart, marked the exquisite culmination of this Hot Rod's construction journey.

Our Introduction to Woodworking Workshop

For the last two Saturdays , our eager students have been diligently working away - fine tuning their design skills and learning from the ground up - the fundamentlals of woodworking.

They have got their hands dirty and experiences life as a woodworker

Our enthusiastic team have made us proud - creating their beautiful tables , designed specfically for their own homes …

And the results speak for themselves

Congratulations to our graduates !!

Winter is a great time to make your Wooden Surfboard

With our beautiful sunny days and mild temperatures, Winter is the perfect time to make your own surfboard.

In our 4 day class July 18 - 21 inclusive you will master the art of creativity and be guided in all processes on making your board.

Whether this is your first foray into making a board or you are expanding your quiver - our classes factor in every possibility .

We have only a few spots left in this class - so best to act now and enrol to make the surfboard of your dreams.

And as for the end result - we will just leave these here…

But dont take our word for it …

Actions speak louder than words

Our July Wooden Surfboard Making Workshop is on July 18 and runs for four days , finishing on a high note of surboard completion on July 21

For all the good deets , contact us today