A Cabinet Built from History
The Echo Cabinet began its life not in a workshop, but on a basketball court at a school in Wangaratta VIC. The timber from the decommissioned court was marked by years of use. Rather than discarding it, the goal was to preserve that history and transform it into something lasting – a custom-made cabinet was the answer.
The Client Brief
The client was wanting a custom-made cabinet that would anchor the room visually, offer practical storage and carry a sense of story and material authenticity. They were drawn to the idea of reclaimed timber but wanted a refined, contemporary look. The client had images of pieces she was drawn to, but she wanted her own spin on the result. I worked with her to take inspiration from these images and to adjust the design and sizing to suit her needs.
We were wanting to tie in with some previous Blackwood pieces I’d made for her; a lovely bed side table and a glass-topped coffee table. To help link the pieces together, we selected a rich Walnut stain for the finish.
Timber Selection & Preparation
Working with reclaimed hardwood requires a careful balance. Each board was de-nailed, scanned with a metal detector and cleaned before being milled to make good for creating bespoke furniture. Finally, the boards were matched for tone and grain for consistency of colour.
What remained were subtle markings such as nail holes that hint at the timber’s past without overwhelming the final piece. Even with a dark stain, this natural character and prior history shows through.
Design Approach
The design needed to strike a balance between the clean lines and the natural variation in the timber. Having seen a cabinet that inspired the client, we had a good base to begin the design from. We made subtle design changes to better suit her specific requirements, identified the required size and selected handles to match.
A dark toned hard wax oil by Rubio Monocoat was chosen. We selected this colour to unify the different boards while allowing the grain to show through. As an added benefit, it also helped tie in with other pieces I had created for her previously. Want to know more about the finishes I prefer? Check out my finishes blog here.
The result is a piece that feels grounded, structured and bold enough to hold its space as a centre piece in the room.
The Result
The finished bespoke cabinet sits as both a functional storage solution and a conversation piece. From a distance, it reads as refined and minimal. Up close, the story of the timber begins to reveal itself. And the slide out tray provides the ideal spot to place your favourite beverage bottle.
I specialise in custom dining tables, bespoke cabinets, coffee tables and one-off statement pieces. If you’re interested in a custom timber cabinet made from reclaimed hardwoods, delivered and placed into your home in Australia, each commission begins with a conversation. Start yours here.
Echo cabinet in Walnut stain