There's a barn door in Western Australia that is 12 foot by 12 foot! I kid-you-not.

Old wool sheds were famous for these magnificent structures, some of which are still standing. By the hundreds, sheep would cram themselves through, and out to the pastures where they would start growing their wool back.

At Timber Feeling we are inspired by these awesome doors. One of our favourite table designs is our barn door style table that is made in panels, unlike traditional tables that are made in straight boards.

These tables are like a pallet. We experiment with textures, colours and inlays, and mix timber species up in a way that is hard to do on a normal table. In the panels we play around with old floor boards, and fence palings, and even off-cuts from other tables that we are making.

And being so rustic, they are ideal for growing families. A few marks and scratches won't take anything away from the look. In fact, treating these tables with beeswax, will only blend the marks in, and become part of the table.

You can design your own table, and choose your own timbers and vintage features . We use wine emblem inlays to decorate the table tops, and play around with colours and textures. If you have some memorabilia that has significance to you, we could indent them into one of these tables. We can even use images and picture, and cover them in resin.

And of course, we can make BARN DOORS FOR YOUR OWN HOME , and advise you how to get them fitted.

In the fabulous 1989 film " Field of Dreams" Ray Kinsella, a corn farmer,[ played by Kevin Costner], is about to lose his farm to the bank. He starts to hear voices in the wind as he is walking through his fields: " If you build it he will come." He doesn't understand what this means, but he follows his intuition, and it leads him to understanding and freedom. It is a touching movie of hope and faith.

At the end of 2018, we were informed that our warehouse was to be demolished, to make way for new development. It was a time of uncertainty for us. But fortune was on our side. The property developers, were also proponents of recycling and repurposing, and they offered to relocate us to a warehouse that was only 100 metres away from our old one, just next to the Merri Creek. We were thrilled!

The new factory is a gem of the old world- "built like a brick shit-house" The roof is so high, that you can drive a semi-trailer in and out. The power sub-station could run the whole of the industrial revolution! and it's so vast that you can hear the echo of your own voice. We keep bicycles handy, because it takes so long to traverse the floor! And if there's no music playing, there is an eerie silence

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And best of all, it's just beautiful, in a rugged , industrial fashion.

It was astonishing to see how quickly the old building of 10000 square meters, was demolished. 200 years ago, it could have taken 100 men, 6 months to do what 1 man and an excavating machine did in 2 days. Man has probably progressed so far because of his use of machines: aeroplanes, cranes, computers, rockets, and all the other day-to-day contraptions make modern life so efficient.

We befriended the operator of the excavating machine. Amongst the rubble of steel and concrete, he was able to salvages an amazing fire-engine red barndoor that had lead into our old warehouse. It was chunky as all hell, and weighed a tonne. It was one of the last remnants that survived the demolition.

We were so inspired by the door, that we immediately started work on an experimental table. It would be a fond reminder of our old warehouse.

Building furniture from recycled timber, is an experience in itself. The timber takes shape in mysterious ways; we just facilitate the process. In a pack of recycled timber, each plank may look the same in a rough-sawn state. But in a finished piece of furniture, each board could tell a different story, with it's different tones, and features and textures.

Our furniture design is often experimental. It starts with a vision,however, the end product may take an unexpected turn. Our hope is that if we build furniture from the heart rather than the head, someone will love the piece for it's eccentricities, uniqueness. Production-line clones is not in our vocabularly.

A table named: " CHARIOTS OF FIRE" [ Rhymes with " A Streetcar named Desire]

Thank you so much to the lovely guys at Timber Feeling- our table is absolutely beautiful- a true work of art. It is the heart of our home and generates much admiration and conversation. Most certainly a 'forever' purchase. Kerryn & Rochelle

Kind Regards,

Kerryn Douglas

Wonga Park

When we bought our new home we knew we needed something really special to fill the space. The Timber Feeling Team built us the perfect dining table with matching bench. We loved it so much we also bought our TV unit. Our attention turned to a show case for our record player and they created the most elegant shelf that fits our rustic table beautifully.

I was looking for a table for a client who wanted something unique and with a story for their main Client Meeting Room. It was a pleasure dealing with the Timber Feeling team who proposed the table and material. The client liked it so much they ordered a second to match the original. Hope I can work with Timber Feeling again

This table is a reminder of the majestic refectory tables that were once found in monasteries and boarding schools from an era long gone.

Often seating 30 or more people, they were places of communion, and laughter

This table of ours is almost 4 metres long.

The timber top is a beautifully textured Tiger- striped Stringybark- named so for its heavy grain patterns. The triple criss cross base, recessed under, allows for seating all the way from one side to the other.

We see a table as an entity, a unique creation that springs from our imagination. These pieces don’t come off a production line. In fact they can’t be replicated- however one table may inspire the making of another.

We can put all our energy into creating a table, but essentially it creates itself, as a piece of consciousness. Sometimes we are astounded when a table takes shape right under our very noses, and surpassing all of our expectations.

A theme of ours is the preservation of the history of our city. We try to recycle and rejuvenate timber that was once part of the city’s urban infrastructure. And we are inspired by the provenance of this vibrant city, and like to use memorabilia, embedded in our table tops. We also use images of iconic Melbourne in the same way; The Victorian architecture, our public buildings, wharves, piers and stations etc.

Melbourne”s growth during the 1850’s gold rushes, instigated a rush of urban activity- roads, railroads, schools, libraries, etc This table has been inlayed with the image of an old map of Brunswick as it was in 1868.

At one point Melbourne was the second biggest city in the world, after London. And in 1880, Melbourne was proclaimed to be “ The richest city in the world"

We also have other maps of Melbourne that are waiting to became part of a dining table.

I cannot thank Timber Feeling enough for the beautiful table they created. They inlaid wood from my late parents home into the most spectacular table. They have created such a special piece of furniture for my family. These guys are seriously talented. Not only do they understand the history and value of old wood, but they absolutely listen to their customer.

Not everyone can house a monster table. But people tend to gravitate towards them. It's probably a primal thing. It's not just the length and the width- but also the thickness that gives a feeling of solidity, and permanence- like bricks and mortar.

Anything over 40ml, is thick. This one is 60ml- a real monolith! This is a 6 person lift.

Families who plan to lay down their roots in a house for prolonged periods often go for statement pieces like this, that become part of the house, the family, the home.

This timber was sourced in Coburg, from a recycled building material yard, that specialises in demolishing old industrial buildings. Called in old builder's terms, 4b3, in our language this timber would be classed as 4inch by 3inch. It is a light Messmate, with gum-vein highlights. A soft light seems to emanate from the surface. The top is not perfectly flat- one can feel the grain; but it is still silky to the touch.

The industrial steel criss-cross base is recessed under the table top, to give it a floating look. Don't do a DIY job on the welding! We have a highly skilled metal worker who fabricates our steel legs, and also gets them expertly powder-coated.

We love our new dining table from Timber Feeling. It's a one of kind piece that's absolutely stunning. If you're after a unique, hand made piece of furniture it's a must visit. The whole team was a pleasure to deal with and highly recommend them.

We spent a long time looking for our new kitchen table, and we are so glad we found Timber Feeling. We were shown us every piece in the showroom, with the story behind each one. We now have an amazing and beautiful table in our new home, which has become a focal point.

We went to see the guys at Timber Feeling because we were looking for a special piece of furniture for our new home. We had a rough idea of what we wanted but , the guys helped us realise this unique piece of furniture and just as we hoped our island bench / bar table has become the centre piece and the heart of our home. While we were there working on the design of the kitchen bench, we feel in love with this TV unit!! We wouldn't hesitate to revisit Timber Feeling for some more beautiful pieces.

.." we work as a team, and share our thoughts, and feelings.."

It is our differences that keep us together.

A common love- beautiful furniture.

Robert, Ravi, Neel. They say that 2's company, 3's a crowd. For us, 3 is harmony.

And our customers; it is the greatest privilege to help them make a house a home.

The reactions when people see our pieces: tears of joy, raptures of disbelief, the silence of awe.

And for us- humbling, gratitude.

2019 A new, larger space, the same team- and who knows, what more...

Our good friends have a beautiful handmade table by Timber Feeling so I knew the quality of their work and the authenticity of the pieces they create. I wanted something a little different for my new kitchen, I wanted some real timber to be used. I explained to the guys exactly what I was after and they made me the most beautiful shelves for both my kitchen and living area. And they made me a gorgeous wine rack to finish it off. I am thrilled with what they created for me, it gives my kitchen that unique finish that I was after. People always comment about the Timber when they come over. I know the guys are very busy creating beautiful tables but they can also create other pieces if you have a vision. Thanks Timber Feeling.

Many thanks again for the speedy work on our benches. I'm still in shock that it was finished so quickly. We had the family over for dinner last night and had nothing but positive comments. Excellent and just perfect in all ways. My children already found it featured on instagram.

Love your work.

Thanks Timber Feeling. Best experience. So happy with the table and benches. Thanks for your advice regarding size to fit our area.

The whole team were passionate about timber. They delivered the table to me even though I was 2 hours out of Melbourne . The table was a great find, and so was the Timber Feeling team.

We popped into Timber Feeling this arvo, and WOW! They have some absolutely beautiful pieces. I wanted to buy everything! They were all so helpful and passionate about what they do. No one was ever pushy for us to buy anything, but they were enthusiastic and gave us advice about our own projects. I highly recommend checking this place out.

Timber Feeling have a passion for designing spectacular and unique tables. After much brain-storming, and discussion, the end product was a splendid refectory style table made from a lovely Oak wood. They are meticulous in their work, and have a lot of knowledge about various species of timber. The craftsmanship is just outstanding.

Teena

The desk you made looks beautiful our home. It is a perfect fit and as you can see it enhances the room. Thank you for making it so quickly.

We recently acquired some old hardwood, that was delivered to us by the company that was developing an old industrial site. On the delivery day, the tip-truck driver, an elderly Italian man, told us that the site was part of an old Footscray market plaza. He commented that the warehouses were built at least 30 years before the Melbourne Olympics.

When we polished the first boards, we found a mixed-species of Eucalyptus Hardwoods. The timber had a mellow, light blondish pinkish hue, in it’s natural state, and a light chocolatey brown when treated with Japan Oil. We were so taken by it’s tone and lustre, that we decided to investigate further, and visited the site. The old Italian man’s reckoning was on the money.

We started to sort through the timber, and found that under the rough-sawn skin, the timber was intact. It was a mammoth task processing the timber- nails, screws, sheet metal, tacks, etc. It was a never ending affair. But we persisted because we had the feeling that we were onto something.

These planks were mainly part of the extensive roofing structure, consisting of trusses, purlins, and beams. Because the timber had air-dried for so long , that it was well suited for timber joinery.

“Melbourne” is our theme, and a rescue like this, awakens our spirit, despite the toils of working with reclaimed timber.

We still have plenty of the timber left. It is amazing to see the huge piles of the timber all tangled up, full of nails and tacks, and splintery as all hell. But, it becomes so beautiful, after it is processed. This timber is ideal for all kinds of furniture, and bench tops. It is worth coming down to our warehouse to see what comes to us before it goes to land-fill!

I visited the Timber Feeling warehouse in Coburg. On the showroom floor I saw an elegant Mountain Ash dining table sitting atop a black powder-coated metal frame that jumped out at me. I also ordered a tv unit.

They were happy to spend half an hour discussing dimensions, joint types, and timbers.

Thanks so much for our entertainment unit and dining table; they work so well with our new home, and we love it that we can have a bit of local history in it.

Sean & Harriet

We wanted to say thank you for taking the time to work with us and create this beautiful piece that works perfectly in our home. Your workmanship, materials and final product are exceptional.

James and Prue

From the start, you were patient and listened to what we had in mind for our table, and provided us with your experienced advice.

The result has more than hit the mark! The table is beautifully made, solid as can be, and adds a wonderful warmth to our space.

We love congregating with guests at our table, who all have admired the wonderful natural characteristics in the timber.

Many many thanks once again!

Just a thank you for the attention to detail and gorgeous workmanship that was put into our workbench. You captured our taste and ideas and used beautiful timber.

We will definitely recommend Timber Feeling.

All the best, Andrew & Flori from Reservoir

"Melbourne is a graceful city; one of a few places in the world that has retained it's Victorian heritage. The timber that supported the growth of this thriving commercial centre can still be rescued. It has seasoned and cured, and is now mature - perfect for timber joinery. I say, with some relief, that there are still old-school demolishers who take the care to retrieve this timber, intact. 
 Stunning native timbers, like Stringybark and Blackbutt were used indiscriminately before the 1960's for structural purposes. The inherent beauty of the Eucalyptus species has lain dormant as purlins, roof trusses, house stumps, floor joists and many other building applications, for decades, even centuries. Old Timber is a 100% renewable resource, and belongs in our homes as comfortable, warm furniture." Neel Dey February, 2018, Melbourne

Source: "Melbourne then and now"

Thank you so much for our tables, bench seats and bar. They all show outstanding workmanship. Everyone comments on the furniture and how beautiful it is.

You were a delight to deal with and nothing was too much trouble. Every time we walk into your showroom, we fall in love with something.

Thanks again.

The Mitris family

Our new table is perfect for our space and gives it warmth and character. Friends and family are so impressed with it being recycled timber from Melbourne."

Cameron and Vanesa

This 19th century mortising-machine is solid cast-iron, and "weighs a tonne."

Melbourne has a long industrial heritage, and relics like this still turn up from time to time. I found this at the Waverley Antique Bazaar, where we have a showroom at stall number D11.

This join requires no screws or nails; just glue and interlocking sections of timber.

Carpenters have been using this form of joinery for centuries. Japanese craftsmen used the join not just for structural integrity, but also as an art-form.

This may be the only one left in Melbourne. During my 20-odd years of fossicking I have never come across anything like this. The mechanical parts still work. All it needs is a motor.

It could still be used. But really it belongs in a museum.

Early timber workbenches were used in many different industries: woodwork, engineering, the rag trade, etc. They were often of large proportions, and unsuitable for homes. We can custom make a workbench from old industrial materials, and recycled timber, to suit your space. These custom made benches are an innovative idea as a hall table or entertainment unit.

Our photographer started to name our tables after famous singers. Her caricatures were so amusing that I couldn't help myself from giving it a go!

"...Mick Jagger, dark and moody with skinny legs..."

"...Neil Young, still edgy with all ages today..."

"I have named this table Rod Steward, as the legs and the table top remind me of the colour changes over the years to his hair (and he likes to drink)."

"Johnny Farnham, worn with lots of miles on the clock, but not looking too shabby with a face-lift."

"I call this one Rianna as it's one of a kind with gorgeous detailed wood grain and

very sleek legs to match."

Blondie: Stringybark and Wormy Chestnut - natural blonds, with streaks of sap-viens.

...He's got the moves...Michael Jackson:

Elvis: you ain't nothin' but a hound-dog.

Who is the greatest "Singer?"

Johnny Cash?

Cat Stevens: on the edge of reality

Cyndi Lauper - True Colours

"I was looking for the the perfect table to compliment my new house, and after an extensive search I found the one I was looking for.

Thank you for building me a beautiful piece of art that my family will enjoy for a lifetime..Kind Regards

Simon Watson.."

Following on from my post "Getting my hands dirty".

It was the silly season - Christmas 1999.

I was on my hands and knees, frantically polishing the concrete floor of a small shop.

A month ago, I had been on a tram to uni. As I passed the corner of Bridge and Burnley, I caught a glimpse of a vacant shop-front. Something compelled me to jump off the tram.

My interest in studying had been waning; I was spending much of my time collecting rustic and industrial furniture, with a vague notion of restoring them and selling them at the Camberwell

Trash-n-Treasure market. But I was reluctant to part with my collection. I had a vision of displaying them in a grander forum.

So I jumped off the tram with abandon, and loitered in front of the shop. It faced due North, which satisfied the Hindu mystics. The real-estate agent was right next door. I stuck my head in, and was greeted with looks of contempt.

I was the epitome of an under-graduate: dishevelled, slovenly, and impecunious. However luck was on my side. To cut a long story short, the owner was a prominent Melbourne antique dealer.

In a moment of altruism, he offered me the premises. He waived the bond, and the first month's rent, signed the papers, and roared off in his late model Porsche.

And Richmond Relics came into being.

I populated the shop floor with my quirky objects, and left-of-centre furniture pieces. There was no digital marketing, social media, or even digital cameras. I relied upon passing traffic.

The first month was grueling. Melbourne was going through a heatwave. The streets were like a ghost town. Occasionally someone would poke there head in for a moment, and sniff around. I could read their minds: " Not another junk shop!"

I passed my time the best I could: pottering, polishing, pricing. Walter came as a saving grace.

My partner at the time had been pestering me, "Get me a sausage, Neel, get me a sausage." The last thing I needed was more responsibility, but eventually I relented.

One evening I came home with the most adorable Daschund puppy on the face of the earth: endearing, gregarious, jovial, vivacious, with baby-eyes that could melt butter.

Few could resist his spruiking. He had a fiendish delight for ball-games, and would flick a tennis ball with his snout at passersby, to entice them into a game of fetch. He became my constant companion. I trained him not to wander past the kerb. Sometimes he strolled down Bridge road, to visit his numerous friends. He did not need a lead.

Things started to happen in August. Familiar faces started popping up. My first sale was a timber filing cabinet to an elderly lady who lived locally. My second was a set of plan drawers to a retired architect.

Soon there was a flurry of customers. I was astonished that many of my quirky, eccentric pieces were going to immaculate, manicured houses. My old workbenches, covered in nail-holes and tool marks, were becoming hall tables and entertainment units for the latest slim-line tv's. I delivered many old relics to rooms adorned with traditional antiques, and conservative decor.

Genuine, re-purposed Melbourne Industria became sought after. A new, edgy furniture style was coming into vogue.

I was in my element, gallivanting around Melbourne, attending auctions, and clearance sales.

Some of Melbourne's prominent companies were closing their doors: Ansett, APM [Australian Paper Mills], Kodak, etc.

The digital disruption age had begun.

I found spectacular workbenches, cutting tables, and heavy trolleys, that were begging for a new life.

The old member's stand pavilion at the MCG, was being demolished. Dozens of majestic old doors, that I was fortunate to acquire, inspired me to make "barn-door" style tables.

These tables lay the foundation for the panelled tables that I started making in Collingwood, with another craftsman, some years later, who shared my enthusiasm for old timber. These tables were a fusion of textures, colours, and caligraphy.

After one of these tables was featured on Masterchef, with Jamie Oliver sitting at it, the phone didn't stop ringing.

We threw the "furniture rule-book" out the window.

Our dining table fits into our home perfectly. It is unique in presentation, and charming.

A special part of our experience was learning about native timbers.

Thanks a million.

Claire and Neil Duncan

The table works beautifully - as we knew it would.

I hope your festive season was peaceful and meaningful Warm wishes, Anne and Tim

"It's not often that one encounters such comprehensive consideration for what a dining table means to a home. Before designing anything, they made the effort to visit our home and spend time with us, then designed the most suitable table for our family.

The table is expertly crafted.

Eleanor

"We are thrilled with our new dining table - it's unique, very elegant, great quality and the finish is excellent. They were courteous and easy to deal with, and we would definitely recommend the products from Timber Feeling."

Emma and Michael, Yarraville

We visited their showroom and fell in love with this piece made from recycled timber that was beautifully crafted together to create this one- of- a- kind, table. Every piece of timber had been carefully selected and came with a story.

Bill and Anne Mezzetti

My grandfather would say to me: "Work with your hands, not with your head."

He was professor of history at Calcutta University; and he was an avid sportsman. His physical prowess was unmistakable. I have nostalgic memories of him wading through the flood waters to the market. He would return laden with goodies: mouth-watering mangoes, delectable sweetmeats, and fresh fish.

My grandmother was a diminutive women; unassuming, but as sharp as a tack. She ran the household like clockwork, and lectured in poetry during the day. When I was an infant, she accidentally dropped me from a rickshaw, and I landed on my head . I attribute my many deficiences to this incident!

I arrived in Melbourne as a 3 year old. I was a placid child, and found it hard to assimilate at school.

My father was a pioneer at the "Camberwell Trash and Treasure Market". I was about 10 years of age, and on Saturday mornings, he would drag me from bed at 5am. We then gallivanted around searching for garage sales. The afternoon was for sorting through and cleaning our newly found treasures, in preparation for the market day.

The market instilled in me a fascination for re-purposing unusual objects. By my mid-teens, I was able to identify many timber species, and place antique furniture into different eras and categories. It was Rustic and Naive furniture, however that grabbed my attention.

My senior school years were checkered. My father continued doing the market religiously. But my attention wavered. I became engrossed in Tolkien's "Middle Earth" . Sherlock Holmes became my champion, and I discovered Bob Dylan. I started to wag classes, and developed a pathological fear of exams.

I passed matriculation with mediocre results; but enough to find a place at University.

Uni was a romantic notion: lounging in the quadrangle, smoking cigarettes, hobnobbing with fellow students, and flirting with girls. I took no interest in studying. To the utter dismay of my parents, I decided to abandon uni without a piece of paper, and took off traveling. I came back a year later disillusioned and afraid. I had no qualifications, no money, and no direction; reality bit. How was I to survive?

I tried a few menial jobs, with indifferent results. In desperation, I started doing the market again.

Around this time I was introduced to meditation. This helped me re-gain my poise. During one of our sessions, my teacher made an announcement : "Do business; It's in your blood."

My father's 5 brothers were business men. My mother's side were academics. But I needed to get my hands dirty.

I taught myself restoration and French polishing, and tested the waters on unconventional furniture pieces: I wasn't enamoured by the shiny, glass-like finishes of antiques, and I experimented with boiled linseed oil, shellac, and beeswax, in search of a different look.

It was late one night; I was working on an early carpenter's bench, that was gnarled and covered in scars and nail holes. I had applied the final coat of polish, and stood back to scrutinize the piece for flaws. It had a light lustre. As I ran my hands over it, I felt the grain, and the age-old patina; it was soft to the touch. There was nothing to change.

When I turned to Recycled Timber, I started off using similar polishing techniques, and found the timber responsive. But that's another story, for another blog.

So happy with the job. I'll be spreading the word.

Thanks again,

Lewis.

"We were instantly taken with their table designs." There was a broad range to choose from including traditional, industrial and retro styles. We love our table. Not only does it look amazing, but the quality speaks for itself. It is going to wear the trials of our young children very well and be part of our home for a long time. Justine, Malvern East

Old floors carry the impression, the history of the folk who have walked and danced, and stomped and stamped...

In the olden days, floors were solid timber. Now, the trend is towards engineered floating floors.

But at Timber Feeling we love our recycled floorboards: we put them in our panels to create colours and textures and . Some boards that we salvage have remnants of speckled paint.

Our favourite at the moment is old Jarrah from the floor of an old dance hall called the "Brunswick Club". The timber is worn and gnarled and you can see the dings and dongs of high-heels. The colour is a deep crimson that glows after polishing.