These bespoke timber furniture pieces are locally handcrafted

Written by

06 October 2024

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4 min read

A bespoke furniture item can be the perfect final touch to an interior. This local maker can work with you to create a design that suits your space.

The craftsmanship behind Bespoke Timber Design has been perfected by Dylan McKay for over a decade. Having previously worked on high-end luxury yachts and launches as a boat builder and cabinet maker, these skills saw him explore new ways of making, designing and creating custom furniture pieces – the enjoyment of taking an idea and bringing it into a physical, finished piece still a highlight for him today as the managing director of Bespoke Timber Design (BDT).

“In 2022, I decided to turn this passion, hobby and love for design into a business. Bespoke Timber Design was born out of a dream to work with others to create pieces that are special to my clients and their stories,” he says.

Specialising in custom timber work, using a variety of native and foreign timbers, BTD can work with homeowners and design professionals to craft one-of-a-kind pieces from both solid timber and veneer products.

“The timber that we use all comes down to what the client wants, but at BTD we try to stay true to all native timbers we can get our hands on.”

The coffee table is part of Bespoke Timber Design's Letsweave collection, alongside a dining table and side table.

Working with Bespoke Timber Design

“At Bespoke Timber Design, we will work with and communicate with you every step of the way – designing the perfect piece to fit into your home or office, just the way you want and need it to,” says Dylan.

No one job is the same as another, with each piece of furniture designed by BTD tailored to the client’s unique needs. The starting point is the development of three design options that have been customised to suit your requirements and budget, with any provided reference photos taken into account.

“By sending through an email with a description of what you want to create, including reference photos, any sketches and rough dimensions, we will respond with a quick questionnaire for you to fill out before we meet, giving us a better idea of the dimensions, design and budget you are wanting to work with,” says Dylan. “From here, we will work and communicate with you to complete a design that you are happy with, selecting the timber, accents and finishes you are after. After drafting your designs, we will be able to do up to three variations to the design of your choice, allowing you to make more customisations for a personal touch.”

Dylan has collected stunning timber slabs over the years, available to be used for the right project.

“The timber that we use all comes down to what the client wants, but at BTD we try to stay true to all native timbers we can get our hands on. We can also find creative ways to incorporate a piece of timber that you already have and are in love with.”

Reclaimed macrocarpa timber from an old table has been used to create a new table and accompanying bench seats that encapsulate the unique character and history of the wood. Each imperfection in the timber has been transformed into a striking feature, accentuated by stunning black epoxy infills.

The nature of timber means each project is unique.

Made from solid Tasmanian Blackwood, this vanity is crafted with precision and expertise – a stunning addition to any small bathroom.

A focus on traditional techniques and eco-friendly practices

Traditional methods and quality, eco-friendly finishes that preserve and celebrate the natural beauty of timber are front of mind at Bespoke Timber Design.

In particular, the integration of different textures and materials is something Dylan loves utilising to craft unique designs – think epoxy resin, brass coatings and traditional timber finishes such as the traditional Japanese method of wood preservation, Shou Sugi Ban.

“We are able to create the most unique, custom pieces – from resin-filled timber cabinets and furniture to architectural hand-sculpted timber pieces. We are currently working on a feature for a newly built residential home, sculpting large cedar boulders to create three posts in the living space; the boulders will be chiselled and burnt with the traditional Shou Sugi Ban technique,” says Dylan.

“Every project has its challenges, but we always work with the client to execute the job seamlessly. Working with the likes of architects and interior designers, we are able to create their design in a practical way, making the necessary tweaks and changes to the design so that the client gets the best result possible.”

This is all achieved with sustainability in mind. All products used by Bespoke Timber Design are eco-friendly and the timber is sustainably sourced from local sawmills. Reclaimed timber is also given new life. “We use a lot of reclaimed timber from houses where the timber is no longer suitable for structural components – we repurpose them to create something new.”

BTD has recently expanded to take on a wider range of projects including custom timber furniture, kitchen islands and cabinets, architectural features, bar units, wine cellars, staircases and full kitchen and commercial fit outs. Get in touch with Bespoke Timber Design if you’d like to learn more about collaborating to create a unique timber design.