The Timber Whisperer's Blog

Wine Cellar and Cigar Room

February 3, 2022
by Matthew
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Working with Kco Designs on initial concept designs and then working with the owners on the final designs we created two amazing rooms, that compliment each other beautifully and are stunning.

The Wine cellar needed to be kept at a control temperature of 14.8 Deg , so we had to design our panels for this Dry area. We used an American Walnut timber in both solid and veneer panels. The owner wanted an old worldly feel and American Walnut was the perfect fit. Along with aged brass mesh for the lower cabinet doors.

All the spacing for the red wine was worked out with the owner, as he wanted certain places for each bottle. We added LED Lighting behind each section of racking, and the light flows though each bottle and creates beautiful colours and effects. A real bonus in this space.

We were asked for a fully functional kitchen, to include a glass washer, small fridges for champagne and wine. We installed glass holders, a sink and a tv. As the wine cellar also houses an exquisite Maple dining table to be able to discuss wines with clients and friends. 

We all decided that the wine cellar will age like a fine wine,  with the timbers holding an aroma of tastefulness.

The brief for the Cigar Room was developed with Kco Designs and fined tuned with the owners. The Cigar Room leads into the cellar and there is a view of the wine room, through the glass entrance door.

We added plaster board to all walls and ceiling to allow for a feature moulding. With the addition of LED lighting within the 2nd ceiling, creating a room within.

We created a mantel piece with carved woodwork and installed a gas fireplace. We installed a TV above and at the back is space for coats and hats to use as you enter. We needed to house a very rare book in the side cabinet, which required lighting and a book display. The display unit has side by side book shelves and we used the aged brass mesh for the cabinet doors for continuity.

We included two small wall nooks with LED lighting, that house display bottles which frame the wall painting, which it lit and all three make a feature wall.

All of the doors that lead to the Cigar Room are made from American Walnut with long custom handles.

Our clients Scott and Jenni love their new rooms to relax and entertain friends and enjoy a drop and a tasty Cuban cigar.

Wine Cellar in the hills

October 25, 2021
by Matthew
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This wine cellar is made from Solid Spotted Gum and Veneer.

The storage is 925 Bottles of Wine, 

The timber brings a warm feel and design a clean look , we added shelves for the wine boxes. There is also an added space for a artwork in the middle framed section.

“Our experience of creating our wine cellar with Finer Living was wonderful: we’re exceptionally happy with the result. They went out of their way to research and work with us on the design to create a gorgeous and very functional space with a real eye for detail, and exceptional craftsmanship. I would highly recommend them.”

Kind regards and many thanks to the whole team for doing such a great job on our cellar project! From David  (The Gap) 

Mahogany Buffet Restoration – they said it couldn’t be done!

August 9, 2021
by Matthew
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An English C 1810  Flame Mahogany buffet which we had to replace a lot of missing solid timber and Veneer to bring this Buffet back to life. The top was very badly water damaged and other restores said that it couldn’t be fixed. Our high skilled team decided it could be done, they removed the old veneer and dried it out, and made a press to evenly re-glue the top onto the base.

This piece will stand proud back in the family home for many years to come, some times the old ways are the best ways, and our customer is over joyed with the restoration, work of miracles.

Queenslander Renovation

June 23, 2021
by Matthew
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We Have just finished a large renovation for a Queenslander in Mitchelton. The Client wanted a Modern feeling in the home, and a kitchen that had clean lines and plenty off bench space. 

After a few meetings we came up the final design,, all the internals are finished is a soft Black finish, and the outside is finished in a painted oak , with a custom grey. The main oven tower has two larger storage areas with a foldaway door. The under benches are finished in a black oak, the upper cabinets are finished in French Oak natural finish. The whole kitchen is finished off with a 12 mm white no stain porcelain top, which makes this kitchen absolutely stunning. The internals are finished off with natural birch ply, and we even designed a solid timber curve to soften the corner. This kitchen will give many years off enjoyment.


For the living room the client wanted a bookcase/Tv unit which would hold a very old core sample from the Pilbara region, so we designed the cabinet around this, they also wanted a fireplace and a frame TV. After a few design consultations we designed this wall hanging unit with lighting on the top and underneath. We made a special place for his core sample, which is held in with brass rods. There is a space for a sound bar, and the new frame tv sit well inside the space, the fireplace sits below the TV. This unit is made from Tasmanian Black wood and is finished in a clear 2 pack coating,to give it a soft feel and look. At night with the fireplace on and looking at Art from Belgium Art Gallery you are taken to another place.
The Clients are very happy with their new home.

New Kitchen, Front Entrance with Divider

June 22, 2021
by Matthew
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We approached Matthew from Finer Living to give us some fresh ideas on a kitchen renovation in our home.

Matthew not only came up with some amazing kitchen ideas, but he also gave us great ideas on remodelling the whole living areas of the house.

The result is an amazing functional bespoke kitchen, a feature bookcase in our lounge room with matching partition screen in the newly created entrance way to the house.

Even the new front door stands out as a work of art.

The quality of the work is amazing and has inspired us to redecorate the whole house from floor to ceilings.

Finer living handled all of the contractors required for the whole job and came in within our budget.

Our home now has more features than a new home and a lovely warm feel.

Nice Job Matthew

New Entrance Door and Divider

June 22, 2021
by Matthew
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Bar Cabinet, Creating Spaces that Serve

May 24, 2021
by Matthew
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Our Client wanted to bring a unique bar cabinet into their dining room space, that leads onto the deck. This cabinet doubles up to serve the dining and deck dining spaces.

Our client, came to us and asked for a bar with character and style. They selected this timeless style, that works with all other styles of decor.

We used Am Walnut timber , with a leather insert in the pull down section for serving. The inside of the cabinet is also Am Walnut, with solid brass supports and we added two leds lights in the display area, to give this section a soft glow at day and night.

Our client’s words: Matthew and his team have created something unique that could not be bought from a store at any price.  With exceptional quality displayed in the construction, finishes, and details, I look forward to enjoying my dry bar with friends and family for many years to come.  To complement the end result, the design, construction and installation process was hassle free.  Would recommend Finer Living to anyone who is looking for that special piece. ( Wesley Cummins, Yerongapilly)

Apartment Renovation by the River

February 5, 2020
by Matthew
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We offer a full apartment renovation service, we take care of everything.

We were approached by Anju Designs to renovate an 80’s apartment by the river. We transformed this four bedroom, three bathroom apartment into a fresh new look and feel, that the owners are very happy with.

The kitchen had a large pole on the edge that needed to be integrated into the open living space and we came up with a reshaping solution using timber pieces, that creates a lovely transition into the kitchen from the living.

We completely renovated all the bathrooms, bedrooms, including joinery, tiling, painting, lighting plan and installation to create the look of a new apartment.

The owners were very impressed with our work and the final result.

Anju Designs were great to work with and we often collaborate with designers and between us we find good design solutions for many of the problems that often arise with renovation.

Our Clients Testimonal:

We were first introduced to Matthew by our designer Penny from Anju Designs, as we wanted to do a complete renovation on our apartment in Kangaroo Point.

We selected Matthew to do the work as his quote was acceptable compared to others, but he was able to do the complete renovation from demolition right through to the finished product, including all joinery. This proved to be the best solution for us.

We have been totally happy with Matthew and his team throughout the whole process, and the quality of the workmanship is second to none.

Thank you Matthew and your team for making our project go so well and we are absolutely delighted with our finished apartment. We highly recommend Matthew and Finer Living.

Paul & Lesley Langdale-Hunt

Watermark Residences

Apartment Renovation by the River

February 5, 2020
by admin
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beforeWatermark3 beforeWatermark4beforeWatermarkbeforeWatermark2

 

 

 

 

We offer a full apartment renovation service, we take care of everything.

We were approached by Anju Designs to renovate an 80’s apartment by the river. We transformed this four bedroom, three bathroom apartment into a fresh new look and feel, that the owners are very happy with.

The kitchen had a large pole on the edge that needed to be integrated into the open living space and we came up with a reshaping solution using timber pieces, that creates a lovely transition into the kitchen from the living.

We completely renovated all the bathrooms, bedrooms, including joinery, tiling, painting, lighting plan and installation to create the look of a new apartment.

The owners were very impressed with our work and the final result.

Anju Designs were great to work with and we often collaborate with designers and between us we find good design solutions for many of the problems that often arise with renovation.

 

 

 

Complete New Farm Apartment Renovation

October 17, 2019
by admin
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Anju Designs contacted Finer Living to carry out a full transformation of a very tired looking 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Apartment in Arthur Street New Farm.

Penny (Manger Director) From Anju Designs arranged a meeting with the owners and myself (Matthew Hunsche) to discuss  how we could open up the space and create a very modern but timeless feel.

Anju Designers and Finer Living worked very closely together throughout this project, every detail was taken into consideration, from lighting, to extra storage under the bed to even considering the water filter. Every room had to fit into the brief from the owners, from Sarah’s bathroom to Craig’s office.

Since there is no room for a dining room table, Anju Designers took the risky move of making the stone island bench larger and longer, which fitted into the space beautifully. The kitchen design with builtin LED lighting, works wonderfully with the stone material.

We also created a new feel in the bedroom by way of new joinery furniture, with LED lighting and more storage space in the upper cupboards.

New BBQ Area , with a pop up Tv  makes the courtyard a really relaxed atmosphere to sit and unwind.

Everyone is overjoyed with the success of the project and the apartment now looks like new, breathing a fresh life into the space and creating a living environment that works perfectly and compliments the lifestyles of the owners.