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Candid Company: A Q&A With Wood Melbourne's Founder and Designer
Meet Oliver MacLatchy, creator of unusual bespoke bathroom fittings in timber, concrete, brass and stone
Julia Fairley
25 December 2018
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
Natural and tactile materials such as timber, stone, concrete and brass have been enjoying something of a resurgence in the past few years. But for Oliver MacLatchy, the founder of Wood Melbourne who trained as a carpenter, these materials have always been king. What’s different about MacLatchy’s work is the surprising ways he uses these materials. When was the last time you saw a concrete spout and tapware or a timber showerhead and bathroom fittings? Houzz caught up with the founder of this novel business for a peek behind the scenes.
What do you do?
I design and make tapware and bathroom fixtures and fittings from ‘real’ materials: including timber, concrete, brass and stone.
I design and make tapware and bathroom fixtures and fittings from ‘real’ materials: including timber, concrete, brass and stone.
What distinguishes your work?
The materials I use. Before I started, I don’t think anyone was making taps out of the materials I make them from.
The materials I use. Before I started, I don’t think anyone was making taps out of the materials I make them from.
How did you enter this field of work?
I fell into it. I have always had a passion for real materials and, being a carpenter, my natural tendency was to design things from timber. I made my first set of taps and outlet when I was building a little place and couldn’t find any tapware that I liked, so I made some from timber and it just snowballed from there.
I fell into it. I have always had a passion for real materials and, being a carpenter, my natural tendency was to design things from timber. I made my first set of taps and outlet when I was building a little place and couldn’t find any tapware that I liked, so I made some from timber and it just snowballed from there.
When did you start Wood Melbourne?
I have been running Wood Melbourne for nearly five years. It’s gone so fast but it’s funny to think back and remember that I ran the business solo for the best part of two years, from a shed with just three walls.
I have been running Wood Melbourne for nearly five years. It’s gone so fast but it’s funny to think back and remember that I ran the business solo for the best part of two years, from a shed with just three walls.
How has your business changed?
It’s changed so much. I was very green when I started, I knew very little about business. I worked as a carpenter at the same time to fund Wood Melbourne; I think I must have been doing 60- to 70-hour weeks for two years until the business really got going.
My wife helped with a lot of the admin side of the business and I had a lot of people help out after the first two years: friends would give me a hand until I put someone on full-time. This was a smart move, business-wise, as I was able to spend more time focusing on new designs.
It’s changed so much. I was very green when I started, I knew very little about business. I worked as a carpenter at the same time to fund Wood Melbourne; I think I must have been doing 60- to 70-hour weeks for two years until the business really got going.
My wife helped with a lot of the admin side of the business and I had a lot of people help out after the first two years: friends would give me a hand until I put someone on full-time. This was a smart move, business-wise, as I was able to spend more time focusing on new designs.
Now I have four employees, a showroom, and a big workshop with four walls. This has helped the business push forward with shorter lead-times and a much more manageable work schedule. Although I still do big weeks when we need to, having extra hands means we get a lot more done.
I also have systems and processes in place for nearly every part of my business. Getting Wood Melbourne organised with planning and processes has been a game changer.
I also have systems and processes in place for nearly every part of my business. Getting Wood Melbourne organised with planning and processes has been a game changer.
Can you identify a turning point for your company?
I had great publicity from the start but I think it was in the second year that things really started to take off for a mix of reasons: I had a larger range of products, I displayed at the 100% Design fair at London Design Festival and that seemed to really get the business going with European sales.
When I returned, things started to heat up back here, too. I think it was a combination of a larger range of products, and the addition of the Melbourne showroom.
I have been a fan of Instagram since Wood Melbourne started and I feel we have a good connection with our followers, which I really like.
I had great publicity from the start but I think it was in the second year that things really started to take off for a mix of reasons: I had a larger range of products, I displayed at the 100% Design fair at London Design Festival and that seemed to really get the business going with European sales.
When I returned, things started to heat up back here, too. I think it was a combination of a larger range of products, and the addition of the Melbourne showroom.
I have been a fan of Instagram since Wood Melbourne started and I feel we have a good connection with our followers, which I really like.
Have you noticed a growing interest in natural materials the past few years?
Yes, timber has a very calming effect and I think people have always been drawn to timber and natural materials. It’s great to see the appreciation for timber. It’s so versatile, I love working with it. I also love the fact that no two pieces are the same.
Yes, timber has a very calming effect and I think people have always been drawn to timber and natural materials. It’s great to see the appreciation for timber. It’s so versatile, I love working with it. I also love the fact that no two pieces are the same.
What has proven the greatest professional challenge?
I honestly think the biggest challenge was handing over work responsibilities to colleagues. I know this would seem like a very easy and wise thing to do, but it took me such a long time to trust and let other people do things to give me more time to work on designs and business decisions.
I was constantly worried it wouldn’t be done properly, however after I saw it was working, I now know that it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
I honestly think the biggest challenge was handing over work responsibilities to colleagues. I know this would seem like a very easy and wise thing to do, but it took me such a long time to trust and let other people do things to give me more time to work on designs and business decisions.
I was constantly worried it wouldn’t be done properly, however after I saw it was working, I now know that it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
What have you learnt about your industry that you wish you knew when you started?
My industry, like most, is constantly moving and changing so I guess the best thing is to be flexible and stay true to what it is you do best.
My industry, like most, is constantly moving and changing so I guess the best thing is to be flexible and stay true to what it is you do best.
When choosing sub-contractors or clients, what do you look for?
The last few years I have been lucky enough to have great clients find me, people who understand and appreciate the time and skill that goes into each product. My products take time to make and this is something that needs to be known to make it work with the clients’ needs – it’s a real pleasure finding those clients and projects to work with.
The last few years I have been lucky enough to have great clients find me, people who understand and appreciate the time and skill that goes into each product. My products take time to make and this is something that needs to be known to make it work with the clients’ needs – it’s a real pleasure finding those clients and projects to work with.
What are the deal breakers that make you reluctant to work with clients?
Timing. Most of my products cannot be rushed.
Timing. Most of my products cannot be rushed.
What’s the best advice you can offer about managing a team?
Planning is key to my business. As things take a long time to make, I have to be super organised and plan a long time in advance. And communication – we put a lot of time into planning ways to communicate clearly with clients about what to expect from our products.
Planning is key to my business. As things take a long time to make, I have to be super organised and plan a long time in advance. And communication – we put a lot of time into planning ways to communicate clearly with clients about what to expect from our products.
How do you plan to grow or maintain your level of success?
I’m really happy with where Wood Melbourne is at right now – nice-sized team, great clients and we have a steady, strong workload that keeps us busy but not stressed – that’s where I want it to be. I have a fairly large new range coming out next year, so hopefully I can keep the balance.
I’m really happy with where Wood Melbourne is at right now – nice-sized team, great clients and we have a steady, strong workload that keeps us busy but not stressed – that’s where I want it to be. I have a fairly large new range coming out next year, so hopefully I can keep the balance.
Any recommendations for software or apps that help you run your business well?
I use Shopify for my e-commerce and I’m happy with it mostly because it’s not super complicated, I like the simplicity of it but I think the best thing any business can have is good accounting processes. I’m using Xero and I really like it because it’s simple, quick and gives ready figures, which is how it should be.
Tell us
Which points in this interview resonate with your own professional experience? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Missed last month’s Candid Company interview? Catch up here with the founders of BuildHer Collective, a novel enterprise run for women, by women, teaching them how to build
I use Shopify for my e-commerce and I’m happy with it mostly because it’s not super complicated, I like the simplicity of it but I think the best thing any business can have is good accounting processes. I’m using Xero and I really like it because it’s simple, quick and gives ready figures, which is how it should be.
Tell us
Which points in this interview resonate with your own professional experience? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Missed last month’s Candid Company interview? Catch up here with the founders of BuildHer Collective, a novel enterprise run for women, by women, teaching them how to build
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