How Do I... Commission a Piece of Timber Furniture?
Can't find the perfect piece of furniture for a room in your home? Have one custom-made instead – here's how
Georgia Madden
25 November 2017
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, Ben Purchase, director of Melbourne-based sustainable-timber furniture company, Ingrain Designs, reveals how to order custom timber furniture with confidence.
What’s so special about bespoke furniture?
Commissioning a custom piece allows you to play a role in the design process and have it made to your exact specifications, including style, dimensions and choice of material.
Custom is a great option if you have a specific design in mind and can’t find what you’re looking for. You might need different-sized drawers and doors, unique storage options, an out-of-the-ordinary table height, shape or length, or you might just be particular about aesthetics such as timber type, colour tone and finish. And of course, by choosing custom, you’re supporting Aussie makers.
You can have just about any piece in your home made to order in timber, from bathroom vanities and dining tables to chairs. Everything, including timber species, size, shape and height can be specified to suit your needs.
Commissioning a custom piece allows you to play a role in the design process and have it made to your exact specifications, including style, dimensions and choice of material.
Custom is a great option if you have a specific design in mind and can’t find what you’re looking for. You might need different-sized drawers and doors, unique storage options, an out-of-the-ordinary table height, shape or length, or you might just be particular about aesthetics such as timber type, colour tone and finish. And of course, by choosing custom, you’re supporting Aussie makers.
You can have just about any piece in your home made to order in timber, from bathroom vanities and dining tables to chairs. Everything, including timber species, size, shape and height can be specified to suit your needs.
What are the main options in materials?
Timber furniture can be made from solid wood, timber laminate or timber veneer. At Ingrain Designs, we mainly use solid timber. But there are some great makers out there doing amazing work with veneer – it’s an art form within itself.
When it comes to trends, we’re seeing a shift away from the light-toned Scandi look and a move towards darker timbers such as blackwood, which plays to the mid-century look that’s so popular right now.
Timber furniture can be made from solid wood, timber laminate or timber veneer. At Ingrain Designs, we mainly use solid timber. But there are some great makers out there doing amazing work with veneer – it’s an art form within itself.
When it comes to trends, we’re seeing a shift away from the light-toned Scandi look and a move towards darker timbers such as blackwood, which plays to the mid-century look that’s so popular right now.
How does the cost compare with off-the-shelf furniture?
There’s less of a cost difference than you might think. This, of course, depends on the piece of furniture, the material it’s made from and the labour involved. But you really are comparing apples with oranges when it comes to the product itself. When buying a custom piece, you’re paying for something that’s been handcrafted, with individuality, just for you.
There’s less of a cost difference than you might think. This, of course, depends on the piece of furniture, the material it’s made from and the labour involved. But you really are comparing apples with oranges when it comes to the product itself. When buying a custom piece, you’re paying for something that’s been handcrafted, with individuality, just for you.
How do I find the right maker?
Do your research. Makers all have different styles, work with different materials and have different design approaches. You might be wanting to invest in a one-off heirloom dining table, a bathroom vanity, or even a beautiful timber chopping board. By doing some research you’ll find a maker suited to the piece you have in mind.
Do your research. Makers all have different styles, work with different materials and have different design approaches. You might be wanting to invest in a one-off heirloom dining table, a bathroom vanity, or even a beautiful timber chopping board. By doing some research you’ll find a maker suited to the piece you have in mind.
What are the main things to consider when ordering?
- What is the purpose of your piece? Asking yourself this question at the outset will help you narrow down the options when it comes to designs, finishes and materials.
- Measure up carefully: Don’t be tempted to skip this bit – it’s the most important part of the process. If you’re after a sideboard, measure the depth from the wall as you want to ensure that it won’t jut out into the room. If it’s a table, measure the area the table will occupy on the floor with masking tape.
- What is your style? Take photos of your room, bookmark photos on Houzz or create moodboards and show them to your maker so he or she can get a feel for your style. Also think about what other finishes and colours you have in the room, as you’ll want your custom piece to sit comfortably alongside them.
- Be clear on the timeframe: If you need to turn something around in a week, a custom piece might not be the answer. All makers work to different timeframes, so speak to your maker and find out the lead time right at the start.
What’s the ordering process?
Generally, you’ll need to make an appointment with the maker at their showroom or workshop. This allows you to see products in different stages, view timber samples, and see finished pieces. By visiting a maker, they can also design and draw up something with you on the spot. Bringing floor plans along helps. Makers may also come to your home after an initial consultation to measure up the space.
Generally, you’ll need to make an appointment with the maker at their showroom or workshop. This allows you to see products in different stages, view timber samples, and see finished pieces. By visiting a maker, they can also design and draw up something with you on the spot. Bringing floor plans along helps. Makers may also come to your home after an initial consultation to measure up the space.
How long does a custom piece normally take?
Generally, between four and twelve weeks. This, of course, depends on the specifics of the piece. A larger piece such as a bed frame or dining table will take longer than a smaller piece.
Generally, between four and twelve weeks. This, of course, depends on the specifics of the piece. A larger piece such as a bed frame or dining table will take longer than a smaller piece.
How do you know you’re buying sustainable timber?
Visit a maker’s website to check out which timbers they use and their sustainability credentials.
At Ingrain, 99 per cent of our pieces are made with reclaimed and recycled timber, and wholesalers can supply us with proof of origin whenever needed. We mostly use Australian species, including messmate, blackbutt and spotted gum. We also use reclaimed hydrowood timber dredged from the bottom of Tasmania’s Pieman Lake. This allows us to also offer reclaimed blackwood, celery top pine, Tasmanian oak and Huon pine.
Visit a maker’s website to check out which timbers they use and their sustainability credentials.
At Ingrain, 99 per cent of our pieces are made with reclaimed and recycled timber, and wholesalers can supply us with proof of origin whenever needed. We mostly use Australian species, including messmate, blackbutt and spotted gum. We also use reclaimed hydrowood timber dredged from the bottom of Tasmania’s Pieman Lake. This allows us to also offer reclaimed blackwood, celery top pine, Tasmanian oak and Huon pine.
Can you share a golden nugget?
Don’t make a decision on colour or tone based on seeing a natural, un-oiled timber sample – ask to see an oiled sample instead. This is how your finished piece would actually look colour- and tone-wise.
You can also ask to see your furniture in progress, before it’s built, when it’s still possible to make changes. Once the piece is built and oil is applied, there’s no going back.
Don’t make a decision on colour or tone based on seeing a natural, un-oiled timber sample – ask to see an oiled sample instead. This is how your finished piece would actually look colour- and tone-wise.
You can also ask to see your furniture in progress, before it’s built, when it’s still possible to make changes. Once the piece is built and oil is applied, there’s no going back.
Tell us
Have you ordered a custom piece of timber furniture before? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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Read more ‘How Do I… ?’ stories
Have you ordered a custom piece of timber furniture before? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more ‘How Do I… ?’ stories
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Randal Kohn makes innovative, technically brilliant and beautiful furniture. He recently won the design award at the Victorian woodworkers association. He can be found at http://www.designamax.com.au/ and http://www.randalkohn.com.au/about.html
After hunting fruitlessly for a dining table that would be beautiful and durable, I had my dining table made in granite. I had my previous table also made in granite, when I lived abroad and it was so totally childproof and spillproof, that I wanted something similar. It was really exciting choosing the material in a huge warehouse that left me in absolute awe as I saw the beauty and sheer variety on offer. I was referred by the granite stockist to a master craftsman to make my table. I knew the dimension, shape etc that I required and he really knew his craft, which made the experience painless (except on my wallet!!).
It's been a few years now and I've forgotten his name. My table looks as new and lovely as the day it arrived, after having countless meals; an engagement and a wedding and many other functions hosted upon it's gorgeous surface.
I wanted a buffet to match my designer jarrah dining table and had it made. I needed something narrower than traditional to ensure flow. It was a delightful experience. I got to select the timber from the pallet to keep consistency of colour and grain. The finished piece had rounded edges and black glass to my design. I also had the same firm create my jarrah bed frame after I despaired at all the particle board offerings.