This week in our Sunday Chats, we talked about timbers.
Not just how furniture looks — but what it’s actually made from, and why that matters.
Because once you start to recognise timber, something shifts.
Furniture stops being “just a piece”… and becomes something you can read.
You notice the weight.
The grain.
The colour.
The way it has aged.
And suddenly, you understand why one piece feels ordinary… and another feels like it belongs in your home.
Before mass production and flat-pack furniture, furniture was made from real wood — selected, shaped, and built to last.
Each timber carries its own story.
Some were chosen for strength.
Some for beauty.
Some simply because they were available locally.
And over time, those choices have become clues.
Timber can tell you:
- where a piece was likely made
- the era it comes from
- how it was used
- and how well it might last
Good timber doesn’t just survive — it improves.
It deepens in colour.
It softens in tone.
It develops that quiet, unmistakable glow.
Australian Timbers — A Story Close to Home
Blackwood (Victoria & Tasmania)
Warm, golden to deep brown with a soft flowing grain.
Widely used in Australian furniture and often mistaken for walnut.
Queensland Maple (Queensland rainforests)
Smooth, even grain with warm reddish tones.
Common in mid-century furniture — a quieter timber, but deeply appealing.
Huon Pine (Tasmania)
Pale, fine-grained and naturally resistant to decay.
Used for smaller pieces and even boats — and still incredibly durable today.
Hoop Pine (Queensland & Northern NSW)
Light in colour and often hidden beneath painted finishes.
A practical timber commonly used in Queensland furniture.
Silky Oak (Queensland & Northern NSW rainforests)
Striking, lace-like grain that catches the light.
Popular from the late 1800s into the early 20th century — particularly as furniture production moved north into Queensland.
Red Cedar (Eastern Australia — NSW & Queensland rainforests)
Rich, warm reddish tones with a softer, flowing grain.
Widely used in colonial Australian furniture — often cut from large, old trees, giving wider boards and a more even, “blanket-like” appearance compared to newer timber.
Camphor Laurel (Queensland & Northern NSW)
Soft golden tones with a flowing, slightly busy grain.
Popular in the 1950s–70s, often used as veneer on cabinets and sideboards — and known for its distinctive camphor scent.
Timbers That Travelled
Walnut (Europe & North America)
Warm brown tones with a soft, flowing grain.
Popular in finer furniture, particularly early to mid-20th century — valued for its elegance and ability to be shaped into more detailed forms. Used mainly as a veneer in Australian furniture, especially in the 1930s and 40s.
Teak (Southeast Asia)
Dense, durable and moisture-resistant.
A staple of mid-century furniture — practical and beautiful.
Mahogany (Central & South America / Africa)
Rich, deep reddish-brown with a smooth, even grain.
Widely used in English and colonial furniture — valued for its warmth and timeless, formal look.
From the Workshop Floor — With Nick
This week, I was joined by my friend Nick, a furniture restorer.
And what he brought wasn’t theory — it was experience.
Furniture Changes Over Time
A tea trolley that now looks dark and heavy…
“It probably would have started off much lighter.”
Over time, polish, handling, and age deepen the colour.
What we see today isn’t always how it began.
It’s Not Just Timber — It’s Hardware
“It’s not always just the timber — it’s the hardware.”
Handles. Hinges. Screws.
They often tell you more about age than the timber itself.
Where to Look — Marks, Stamps & Hidden Clues
“Don’t just look at the front — look underneath, inside, and around the back.”
Check:
- inside drawers
- underneath
- back panels
- under tops
You may find:
- maker’s marks
- labels
- stamps
- pencil markings
These are often hidden — but incredibly valuable.
European Labour Stamps
“Sometimes you’ll find a European labour stamp…”
In Australia, they connect to a broader historical context — including the White Australia policy era, when goods marked as “European labour only” were promoted as more desirable than those made by non-European workers.
. Part of the White Australia Policy era, this measure intended to promote white labor over Chinese competitors, who were accused of "sweated labor".
Today, these marks remind us not just where something was made…
…but the attitudes of the time.
Furniture carries history — all of it.
Not All Timber Is the Same Within a Piece
“They wouldn’t use the same timber on the sides as the front.”
Visible areas were often higher quality.
Hidden areas were practical. Often made of cheaper timber like pine.
When Pieces Have Been Altered
Looking inside furniture can reveal:
- replaced timber
- modern repairs
- removed joinery
Even good pieces change over time.
This piece has had a new kick board added, and the drawer sides have been replaced with pine and simpler joins.
When Restoration Goes Too Far
A blackwood table told this story perfectly.
“They’ve sanded the life out of it.”
That darker tone in the legs?
That’s patina — built slowly over time.
Once it’s gone, it doesn’t truly come back.”
Stripping vs Sanding
- Stripping removes finish
- Sanding removes timber
Nick spoke about red cedar in particular. Sanding opens the grain too much and “You’d never seal it again. That’s how you end up with that bright, almost burnt pink timber.”
Filling the Grain
Some timbers — especially cedar — were filled with a chalk-like powder to smooth the surface before polishing.
Usually invisible…
unless later sanding exposes it.
Old Cedar vs New Cedar
Older cedar:
- wider boards
- softer, more even grain
Newer cedar:
- more joins
- stronger grain patterns
The age of the tree matters just as much as the age of the furniture.
This cedar desk made in the 1950s used three boards along each side (older furniture would have used two wonder boards) and one board has cracked probably because of the way the timber was stored after milling.
Why Pieces Age Differently
Two pieces can be:
- the same age
- from the same place
- made from the same timber
…and still look completely different.
Because of:
- environment
- use
- restoration
I've even had a pair of bedside tables look different because one was closer to the window for fifty years and had sun damage,
You Can’t Change Timber
“You can change the colour… but not the grain. A red cedar piece will never become silky oak, or vice versa. It’s hard to explain that to some clients.”
And that’s part of its beauty.
Veneer, Laminate & Solid Timber
We looked at:
- Silky oak veneer — real timber, thin layer
- Camphor laurel veneer
- Modern laminate — not timber
Understanding the difference changes everything.
When It’s Not Worth Restoring
“We’re not going to restore chipboard.”
Even if it has a story.
“Just because it was Grandma’s… doesn’t mean it’s antique.”
Thats when chalkpaint comes into play!
When Styles Overlap
Looking at original brochures, we saw:
- Queen Anne details
- Art Deco lines
- early modern forms
All at once.
Furniture evolves slowly — not all at once.
What We Took From this chat
Understanding timber changes everything.
You start to see:
- quality
- age
- craftsmanship
- and story
Not just old things…
…but things worth keeping.
🧡🍃Deb
Head to the YouTube channel for the accompanying video