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Internationally acclaimed Australian Designer Maker, Jon Goulder, becomes Ambassador for Tasmanian Timber

Internationally acclaimed Australian Designer Maker, Jon Goulder, has become the ambassador for Tasmanian Timber. We spoke to him about why he has joined the campaign to support ‘buying local’, why Tasmanian timber is his material of choice, the rise of the Australian design industry and what he has on the agenda for 2019.

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Tasmanian Celery Top Pine shines at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival

A highlight of this year’s Australian Wooden Boat Festival is a handcrafted Celery Top Pine boat born of a collaboration between Tasmania’s Wooden Boat Centre and the U.S. based North West School of Wooden Boat Building. Celery Top Pine is a worthy jewel in the crown of the festival – the fine-grained, pale, honey-coloured timber is “incredibly durable and wonderful to work with.”

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The Seed House: Fitzpatrick’s timber monument

James Fitzpatrick has been designing buildings across Australia and Southeast Asia for the past 30 years. As the founding partner of Fitzpatrick+Partners, one of Australia’s leading architectural design studios, the firm has come to be known for pushing the boundaries on technology and building systems with every new build. When it came time to design his own family home on Sydney’s lower North Shore, Fitzpatrick curated the ultimate mix of materials. The design includes his signature combination of geometry, an engagement with the surrounding environment, and a dedication to sustainable and natural materials. The result is the staggeringly impressive Seed House.

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Reclaimed Tasmanian Myrtle furniture by Simon Ancher transforms Freycinet Lodge

Playing with space, volume and geometry, Simon Ancher’s Myrtle furniture designs are prevalent throughout Freycinet Lodge’s updated interior. Creating a collection of bar style benches, coffee tables, side tables and shelving units, the pieces spark intrigue as Simon’s use of deep shallow chamfers and triangular geometries seem to defy logic.

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Timber Certification Explained: What you need to know about FSC and Responsible Wood.

Consumers and professionals want to be assured that timber products are coming from responsibly and sustainably managed forests. But with multiple certification schemes available in Australia, how do you know what the best environmental choice is?

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Students create bespoke furniture from premium Tasmanian Timbers

Students at one of Sydney’s most decorated technical secondary colleges, Northern Beaches Secondary College (NSBC) Freshwater Senior Campus, had the unique opportunity to use premium Tasmanian timber as a part of their HSC Major Project, crafting Tasmanian Blackwood and Oak into fine custom furniture.

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Designer Spotlight: Anton Gerner lets his designs do the talking

Melbourne’s award-winning furniture craftsman Anton Gerner has been creating bespoke furniture pieces for nearly three decades. Anton is set to reveal his latest chest of drawers as part of his own exhibition in 2019. Showing off the dark and light tones from beautifully stained Reclaimed Blackwood, the chest of drawers literally tells a story of its uncommon history.

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Tasmanian Timber used to create refined comfort at MAP Architecture

As they say, first impressions are everything. And for one of Melbourne’s up and coming architecture firms, MAP Architecture, creating and designing a new office space that allowed clients to gain a sense of their thoughtful and refined architectural style was a must.

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A homecoming design: Franklin Square

Nestled within the heart of Hobart between the city and historic Sullivan’s Cove, sits one of Hobart’s classic parks, Franklin Square. A quiet refuge for office dwellers on their lunch breaks and a sanctuary for tourists and families alike, this iconic park has maintained its existence since the 1860’s and has just undergone an award-winning revamp featuring Tasmanian Celery Top Pine.

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Rockpool: where grandeur and homeliness blend seamlessly

Despite the grandeur of this seven-bedroom, three-bathroom (plus powder room) resort-like “shack”, the interior design brief was to create a space that exudes both warmth and comfort where friends and loved ones could walk in and didn’t feel the need to remove their shoes at the door.

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The 19th Century Tasmanian Oak barn bought back to life by Whisky

Over 100 years ago a magnificent Tasmanian Oak barn was built on the Lawrenny Estate, a valuable swathe of land 80km north of Hobart. Thanks to a deep desire to drink superb whisky for the rest of his days, the current owner of the Estate embarked on a new venture – restoring his 100-year old, somewhat tottery, barn into Tasmania’s best whisky and gin distillery.

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Made from Nature’s Finest Timber, emerges Woodsmith – a new range of Tasmanian Oak Engineered Flooring

A new Tasmanian Oak engineered flooring product, Woodsmith, has been introduced to the national marketplace. The product is receiving outstanding feedback and interest from architects and designers.

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Rockpool: where grandeur and homeliness blend seamlessly

Despite the grandeur of this seven-bedroom, three-bathroom (plus powder room) resort-like “shack”, the interior design brief was to create a space that exudes both warmth and comfort where friends and loved ones could walk in and didn’t feel the need to remove their shoes at the door.

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Tinderbox’s private retreat AERIE gives visitors a true Tasmanian outlook with a global twist

Tucked away thirty minutes south of the bustling streets of Hobart sits the historic and scenic Tinderbox suburb. Perfectly situated atop a densely forested hill overlooking Bruny Island, Storm Bay, D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the Iron Pot Lighthouse at the mouth of the Derwent River, these advantageous views offered the perfect site for a military fort and training grounds during WWII. While some evidence of the area’s history can still be seen, the suburb now offers its residents a place of peace and solace, and for visitors of the private retreat AERIE, a chance to literally soak in the views from a Tasmanian Timber clad hot tub.

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RACT’s new vessel combines luxury and sustainability to offer an immersion into the wild

Tasmania’s wild west. The natural wonder and pristine beauty of this corner of the state has remained somewhat of a mystery to many due to its remote location. Wanting to reveal this UNESCO Wilderness World Heritage Area to more people while respecting the sanctity of this remote land, RACTs Gordon River Cruises has recently launched the maiden voyage of the ‘Spirit of the Wild’, the newest vessel in their fleet of public cruises. Paying homage to local designers, builders and artisans to create the crown jewel of their fleet, Tasmanian materials were also chosen where possible making Tasmanian Timber an obvious choice.

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Hot soup, inviting design

To expand into a second location in Melbourne, owner of Laksa King Restaurant, Esmond Wong, sought out Urbourne Architecture and Crown Shopfitters to create a stylish and warm new interior. To achieve this inviting new look, Tasmanian timber dowels were used in a unique and stylish way throughout.

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Hella Good Design

For more than forty years Melbourne diners have been flocking to ‘Stalactites’ to get their traditional Greek cuisine fix. Serving its patrons mouth-watering traditional dishes based on what would be found on dinner tables across the Peloponnese region of Greece, the restaurant and Konstandakopoulos family have been on the receiving end of dozens of awards and media attention. While they continue to serve up traditional Greek dishes they have now created a low key and hip spin off to the Melbourne restaurant scene, having opened the doors to Hella Good in 2018. While the food produced by the Konstandakopoulos family is usually in the spotlight, this time the focus lies on their newest establishment’s design featuring Tasmanian Oak.

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Where aesthetics and sustainability collide: The Surrey House renovation

On the fringe of Hobart’s CBD, clad in brown brick and cement slabs, stands Surrey House. Built in 1978 the exterior is still reminiscent of the time and style in which it was built. But forty years after its doors opened, hidden behind this boxy and retro façade, is the new Surrey House featuring three new state of the art office fit-outs for Pitt & Sherry, Aldanmark and Ray White, where aesthetics and sustainability collide. Unknowingly paying tribute to the building’s beginnings, Tasmanian hardwoods are featured beautifully throughout.

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Breathing life and luxury into one of Tasmania’s untouched pieces of history

Nestled amongst the pristine wilderness in the heart of Tasmania rests a magnificent piece of architectural history that sat dormant for decades. It is now one of Tasmania’s most exclusive and sought-after accommodation sites.

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Prahran’s Mount Erica Hotel restored to former glory with roughly polished edge

An institution in one of Melbourne’s most beloved neighbourhoods, Mount Erica Hotel is fully restored by renowned designers Bergman & Co, returning the hotel back to its former glory with a modern twist.

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The sentinel on the edge of a cliff: Captain Kelly’s Cottage

Perched atop a very large cliff on a remote island sits the cottage of mercantile adventurer Captain Kelly, looking out to sea. Untouched since the early 1830's a Tasmanian architect has

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Salamanca Building: a contemporary workplace that reflects the strong identity of Tasmania

With a 5 Green Star rating, Tasmania's new Salamanca Building serves as a benchmark for green building while showcasing the natural beauty of Tasmanian timbers, and the talent of Tasmanian designer/makers.

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Free Tasmanian Timber Masterclasses Available Online Now

Two free masterclasses, Working with Tasmanian Timber and Timber for Internal Applications, designed specifically for architects, interior designers, specifiers, builders, and joiners, are now available online to tasmaniantimber.com subscribers.

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Jon Goulder breaks the mould with his all Australian Innate Collection for Spence & Lyda

Fourth generation Australian furniture designer-maker Jon Goulder has pushed the envelope with materials and methods, creating the bespoke 'Innate' collection in collaboration with renowned Sydney design retailer, Fiona Lyda of Spence & Lyda. The first iteration of the Innate collection features moody dark tones and celebrates the use of Australian materials including the use of Tasmanian Oak and Blackwood.

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National Tasmanian Timber Masterclass Series: Book Now.

A series of Tasmanian Timber Masterclasses are scheduled to take place in late June in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart. The masterclasses are designed specifically for architects, interior designers, builders and joiners, and will provide information on Tasmanian timber species, their supply, characteristics and product range. Book now.

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Redefining Outside In: The Valley House in Tasmanian

Resting high on a hillside on Launceston’s rural fringe at St Leonards, Valley House is far from a stereotypical Australian bush dwelling. Its mix of cement sheet, steel cladding and local timbers immediately signals a fresh point of view that is a true celebration of place. Tasmanian architect Philip M Dingemanse redefines the clichéd notion of “outside in” through his clever design and respect for the natural surrounds. Inspired by the landscape, the award-winning house is bent around the contour of a valley as if to welcome it in. The use of locally sourced Tasmanian timber throughout the home conveys a tactile and natural warmth, where visitors seamlessly transition from inside to outside.

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Designer Spotlight: Furniture Designer and Master Craftsman Will Marx

For award-wining Australian furniture designer and master craftsman, Will Marx, there is no greater joy than a day spent in his workshop, building a piece of furniture with his bare hands. When you admire his creations, each of them honouring the tree from which it’s crafted in a true labour of love, it’s not hard to see why Will’s work has earned him the esteemed title of Master Craftsman.

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Restaurant Orana: Where innovative Australian design and cuisine meet

Grounded by a focus on the natural landscape and local ingredients, Adelaide’s highly acclaimed Restaurant Orana combines the incredible talents of chef Jock Zonfrillo and furniture designer-maker Lex Stobie, to create a unique, organic dining experience that pays homage to indigenous Australia.

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Simon Ancher on sustainability, non-standard public seating and pushing the limits

Sustainability is paramount to the objects created by Tasmanian furniture maker Simon Ancher. It is central to not only the materials he chooses, but his design approach to the object itself.

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Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions: taking their cues from nature.

The new RACT Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions offer an immersive accommodation experience within the coastal bush of the Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s East Coast. Designed by Liminal Studio, and built by Cordwell Lane, the Waterfront Pavilions take their cues from nature.

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Humanising Building: North Lakes Medical Centre, Brisbane

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Designer spotlight: Sydney's up and coming designer maker Ben Percy

There are two things immediately striking about Ben Percy. Firstly, he’s young - not only in years (he’s only just departed his 20s), but also in his youthful enthusiasm that is infectious.

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Our niche: to create projects that speak of this place

Architect Robert Morris-Nunn tries to use timber in every project. "The fact that it is a warm, living material means that people relate to it. If you think of Tasmania, it is the quality timbers that are here, and they should be used. It's a locally available resource. They're not used nearly enough, and they speak of this place like nothing else.

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Pizazz that’s Supernormal

Jason Stancombe, furniture designer and founder of Relm Furniture, was commissioned to design the dining furniture for Supernormal Natsu pop up restaurant, at the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) garden restaurant. The restaurant was temporary, part of Natsu, a 10-day festival held in January 2018. The Supernormal pop-up site was designed by Peter King – Senior Exhibition Designer at the NGV.

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Tasmanian Oak dowel: functional, decorative… art.

“This humble material is elevated to a higher level as it blurs the boundaries between the functional, the decorative and art,” says FMD Architects, Fiona Dunin of the Tasmanian Oak dowel in this incredible residential project. “The dowel establishes a consistent design approach through each space while varying its function in each instance.”

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Tasmanian Oak dowels deliver design flexibility and simplicity

The Noosa-based Australian furniture business began with their now-famous Babaneese stool, with Tasmanian Oak legs. Having now sold over 2000 stools, Green Cathedral co-founders and owners Sally and Tim Scarce have since become Tasmanian Oak devotees.

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Forty thousand reasons to choose Tasmanian Oak

Anna Gowen, architect at TONIC Design, has designed the most opulent ceiling you could imagine for the ten-pin bowling alley at Crown Casino in Melbourne.

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House for Compassion: the Tasmanian Oak floor saving lives

It’s not often that a floor can make a claim to be saving lives. But the Tasmanian Oak floor, laid in a new-build charity home in Tasmania, is helping hundreds of families in third world countries.

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From raw to refined: Pumphouse Point

Creating special places in spectacular landscapes is something Tasmanians have a knack for. And for visitors to the award-winning Pumphouse Point – a hotel like no other in the centre of one of the world’s most pristine natural environments – the experience is a truly remarkable one.

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Phat Fish – contemporary, timeless, quintessentially Tasmanian.

“Phat” is slang for cool. And in Hobart’s newest bar and seafood restaurant, Phat Fish, the owners have created a luxurious but inviting atmosphere that is just that - cool.

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Innovative timber structural solutions for mid-rise timber buildings

Timber’s capacity to store carbon and replace energy-intensive conventional building materials has driven a surging interest in wood as a structural material for tall timber buildings.

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Bringing in the light – the vast Tasmanian Oak ceiling exceeding expectations

When you get a man with a vision, and that vision is to create a tropical-themed 80sqm outdoor entertaining area at the back of his place, incredible things happen. Despite the grandeur of the lush space, it is the Tasmanian Oak ceiling that makes this renovation extraordinary.

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Landscape Restaurant & Grill – an interior steeped in history

Landscape Restaurant & Grill was inspired by the island of Tasmania. Every element of the design has been carefully selected, and embraces the history of the place. The timber selected for the tables and chairs has an incredible history of its own. It is literally steeped in history.

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Blackwood Has 'Wow' Factor at RACV Healesville

RACV's superb Healesville Country Club has drawn praise from around the country and its stunning design and use of natural materials has been a key factor.

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Blackwood: A timber that was perfect.

St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide, the obvious choice was Tasmanian Blackwood. Image supplied by Britton Timbers.

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How sensor technology is making Tasmanian Timber more valuable

CSAW are the national authority on the drying, processing, handling and installation of timber from the forest to the final application. They have determined a way to take their academic know-how into every timber yard in Tasmania.

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Hydrowood: a vast resource reclaimed.

Consumers are taking increasing interest in the provenance of products. As such, the brand story has become an essential and valuable component of the marketing mix.

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Tasmanian Blackwood makes a statement at Milan Design Week 2017

Australia’s homegrown luxury features on the global stage