How a Piece of Fine Furniture is Born: The Craftsmanship Behind

Solid wood furniture-making at Oak Furniture Store is a meticulous craft—turning raw timber into functional pieces with lasting beauty and character. From selecting the right boards to the final protective finish, every stage contributes to strength, stability, and the natural warmth Australian homes love. Here’s a closer look at the key phases behind our solid timber furniture.

Material Selection

What types of wood do we use?

Around 90% of the timber we select is high-grade imported hardwood sourced from North America and Europe. The choice of material is the first step in creating great furniture—because the quality of the wood affects durability, appearance, and long-term performance.

We prioritise FAS-grade timber, chosen for long clear surfaces, minimal colour variation, and fewer knots. Depending on strength, grain, and tone, the best solid wood—oak, walnut, cherry, or pine—is matched to the right design.

Different timbers bring different strengths. For example, oak is highly resilient and known for its pronounced grain, making it a popular choice for everyday essentials like dining tables in busy Australian households.

Nourishing

After the right timber is selected, it needs to be properly dried to reduce internal moisture. This step is critical for helping prevent future cracking, warping, or other deformation. Well-dried timber holds its shape far better over time, giving owners long-term value and lasting stability.

Cutting and Panel Joint

What makes our timber preparation so strong?

Once selected and dried, the timber is cut into boards, strips, and blocks based on the design. This is a core step that forms the base structure of each piece. Panels are carefully processed and prepared to support strength and durability, helping ensure joints stay stable and the furniture performs well in everyday use.

After fine processing, the timber is smoothed and refined so it’s ready for treatments and finishes. Where larger panels are needed, multiple wood pieces are joined using traditional joinery or carefully selected modern adhesives, creating strong, visually seamless connections.

Assembly

This is where all components come together to form the structure of your furniture. Precision matters—both for durability and a clean finish. Frame components may be secured using mortise and tenon joinery, screws, or glue depending on the design and the performance required. For example, many of our bedroom pieces use strong mortise and tenon joints for long-term stability.

Next, panels are fixed to the frame with careful alignment to create a smooth, seamless look—important for both appearance and strength. Finally, functional hardware such as drawer slides and door hinges are installed so everything runs smoothly. At this stage, attention to detail is what separates “good” from “exceptional.”

Decoration and Detailing

Decoration and detailing are where furniture becomes art. Hand carving, inlaying, and other fine work can elevate a piece from functional to truly distinctive. From subtle engravings to more intricate patterns, these touches give each item its own character.

Edges are carefully chamfered, sanded, and treated for safety and comfort, ensuring every surface feels refined while still showcasing the natural personality of the timber.

Finishing & Packaging

Four Rounds of Sanding

We use a combination of machine and hand sanding across four rounds to achieve an exceptionally smooth surface. Each pass removes imperfections and progressively refines the timber’s texture. The balance of machine consistency and hands-on craftsmanship helps deliver a finish that looks clean and feels luxurious to the touch.

Finishing and Painting

Our finishing process involves four rounds of open spraying, typically including two coats of primer and two topcoats. After each application, the furniture goes through a 72-hour drying and ventilation period to allow the finish to properly cure. This supports a durable surface and a consistent look.

This process is designed to enhance both the appearance and longevity of the furniture, while also considering indoor comfort. We prioritise eco-friendlier, low-VOC materials to help minimise lingering odours and support healthier indoor air for Australian homes. Surface treatment is the final major step before a piece is ready for daily life—protecting the timber while highlighting its natural beauty.

What high-quality finishes do we use?

We use custom eco-friendly clear coats with strict standards, designed for minimal odour and long-term protection. We also offer plant-based wood wax oil finishes made from ingredients such as linseed oil and Brazilian palm wax. These options are chosen to help keep harsh chemicals to a minimum, making them especially suitable for premium timber ranges like black walnut.

Quality Inspection & Packaging

Before leaving the workshop, each piece goes through a strict quality inspection to confirm it meets our standards for finish, function, and durability. Any imperfections are identified and addressed so the furniture is both beautiful and built to perform.

It’s then carefully packaged to help prevent damage in transit, so it arrives in excellent condition and ready to use. For tips on looking after your new furniture, you can refer to our Furniture Care Products. 

From careful timber selection to final surface treatment, solid wood furniture-making reflects a high level of skill, patience, and attention to detail. Every step is done with purpose—to create pieces that are not only durable and practical, but also rich in character and crafted to be enjoyed for years to come.