Client Story

Favourite Bespoke Projects of 2016

We sure were keeping busy. With hundreds of project commissions undertaken in 2016, it was no wonder why collating our favourites took us some time…

Each of the commissions undertaken by our independent makers are held dear to our heart. They each hold their own and certainly don’t shy away from elegant yet inspiring design.

From bespoke furniture made using blackened American Oak to a desk with legs sculpted like those of a fawn, you’ll want to discover what our makers had in store.

Here are our Top 10 favourite custom furniture projects commissioned via Handkrafted during 2016.


1. Fawn Desk

by Michael Hoffman

Fawn Desk by Michael HoffmanFawn Desk by Michael HoffmanA masterpiece! The organic details and inspiration from nature are awe-inspiring and almost unbelievable in design. Made from Cypress Macrocarpa & Holly.


2. Art Deco Table

by Tim Noone

Art Deco Table by Tim NooneArt Deco Table by Time NooneDesigned by Sophie Vander of Curatorial+Co, Tim Noone‘s eye for detail and focus on only the highest quality craftsmanship were a perfect match for this Art Deco inspired blackened American Oak dining table with brass feet.


3. Banquette Seating

by Erne Carpentry

Banquette Seating for Brick Lane Double BayDesigned by AZB Interiors for new venue Brick Lane Double Bay, these Oak & Rattan banquette seats were beautifully produced by Niall Little at Erne Carpentry. We’d recommend stopping by for a cocktail and a bite to eat and secretly checking out the bespoke rattan and hardwood banquette seating.


4. Narrow Table & Tram Seating

by Wilder Coyle

Wilder Coyle Narrow Table & Tram BenchWe received a brief from a Melbourne client to design a table and bench seat for an extremely narrow space in a newly renovated home. Sunny and Nick from WilderCoyle took on the project and designed a table only 800mm wide yet able to fit a full length bench under it when pushed up against the wall when not in use to make best use of the space. The bench also needed to have a back rest for comfort. With a nod to Nakashima in the table base they produced a very elegant solution, together with very beautiful “tram” style seating to match. Top made from Birds Eye Messmate and the base and bench from Yellow Stringybark.


5. Shaker Meeting Bench

by Bern Chandley

Shaker Meeting Bench by Cern ChandleyCustom made-to-order for a Sydney client’s new apartment in Bondi Beach, each and every chair produced by Bern Chandley is a work of art made entirely by hand. You can watch the process unfold via Bern’s Instagram account @bernchandleyfurniture via some beautifully captured process shots: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight.


6. Mid Century Sideboard

by Tescher Forge

Tescher Mid Cenutry SideboardA classic mid-century inspired sideboard designed, crafted and loved by Kyle, Luke and the team at Tescher Forge in Abbotsford, VIC.


 7. Walnut Bar Cabinet

by Weld & Fathom

American Walnut Bar Cabinet American Walnut Bar & Liquor CabinetHandmade by Steven Manos of Weld & Fathom in Melbourne, the grain on this American Walnut is sublime. Incorporating silky oak and 9,600 year old blackened redgum pulls that Steven turned himself.


8. Black Metal Dining Table

by Porktown MFG

MattTables_02 Porktown Black Metal Dining TableMatt Ropiha of Poktown MFG joined Handkrafted during 2016 and we’ve been in love with his designs since. With one of his signature black metal dining tables custom made to order for a Handkrafted client we had to include it in our list of favourite projects. How good is the timber inlay detail on the steel legs! Photography by Annette O’Brien & Styling by Beckie Littler.


9. Handkrafted HQ Office Fitout

by Erne Carpentry, Like Butter, Ben Percy, Relm Furniture, Dezion Studio & More

Handkrafted Office Fitout Handkrafted Office FitoutWhere would we be (sitting) if it weren’t for this project? We were lucky enough to bring a select number of pieces from our makers into our own home. All Australian made, we couldn’t be happier with our office fitout.


10. Vanity & Shelving

by Curious Tales

Concrete Basin & Timber Bathroom Vanity by Curious TalesWe’ve only got an in-progress shot of Pete Bollington’s concrete and timber vanity for Architekt Grüne Hauser in Canberra – yet this design is certainly one of our favourites of 2016.


11. Created with Care Collaborations

by Various Makers

Created With Care(We couldn’t exclude these from our list of favourites!). One of our initiatives last year involved collaborating with Bluethumb to raise funds for charity. We paired a selection of Australian makers and artists to come together for the greater good and collaborate in designing and crafting one-of-a-kind pieces to be auctioned. Each had generously donated their time and talents to create these masterpieces plus showcase the incredible talent that Australia has to offer.


These are only a handful of the projects produced from 2016. There were many more which we feel could have made the list as they had a unique story to be told in each from both our makers and clients.

Feel like you’re ready to bring your own idea to life? Post a brief to let us know what you would like made and we’ll match it to a selection of the most suited makers.


About Handkrafted:

Handkrafted is a community marketplace connecting people with passionate makers to commission custom goods. We have brought together hundreds of Australian independent, bespoke craftspeople and artisans who specialise in producing high quality, sustainably made pieces.

Our makers can help you realise your own idea or collaborate with you on a new design. Many also feature a range of original designs that can be made to order or customised to suit your specific needs. Whichever option you choose, we’re here to help make it happen. Support local makers and kick-start your own project today.  

Sign up for our newsletter to receive all of the latest updates… and a bit of fun.

You Might Also Like