There is something quietly satisfying about looking after the things we choose to live with.
Our first workshop welcomed Stephen Leporati of FNESTRA into the back of the shop for an afternoon spent talking timber, waxes and the small rituals that help furniture age well. It wasn't about chasing perfection. It was about understanding the materials around us, slowing down, and learning that good furniture is cared for rather than simply owned.
Stephen reminded us that every piece of timber has its own story. Different species, different finishes and different histories all ask to be treated a little differently. The more we understand those differences, the more connected we become to the objects we live alongside. Rather than hiding age and character beneath synthetic coatings, we can choose to nourish the timber and celebrate its natural idiosyncrasies.
THREE THINGS WE LEARNT
1. Know your timber.
You don't need to become a wood expert, but it helps to understand what you're working with. Different species and finishes respond differently to oils and waxes. For example, linseed oil can turn pine an undesirable orange, while a dark wax can soften the appearance of scratches on mahogany.
2. Hold your horses.
Always test a product on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the whole piece. It's advice we've all heard before, but one that's surprisingly easy to ignore.
3. Buffing is where the magic happens.
Carnauba is the hardest natural wax known. Harvested from the leaves of a Brazilian palm, it is also found in confectionery, cosmetics and automotive finishes. After applying wax, allow around ten minutes for the solvent to evaporate before buffing. The warmth created through buffing brings out the carnauba, creating both the lustre and the durable finish.
ONE GOOD TIP
Waxing furniture isn't a Victorian-era chore reserved for special occasions. Do it when your furniture needs it. You won't get it wrong.
Texture is one of life's quiet pleasures, and caring for timber is simply another way of practising stewardship over the things we already own.
WHAT WE USED
- 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper
- Leporati Workshop Wax (available at The Hub General Store)
- Leporati Reviver (available at The Hub General Store)
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first workshop. The room was full, the questions generous and the conversation exactly what we had hoped for.
These afternoons are about more than learning a new skill. They're about sharing knowledge, meeting the people behind the products on our shelves, and keeping practical craftsmanship alive.
We'll be gathering again next month, and we'd love to have you with us. Subscribers receive first invitation to each workshop before places are released more broadly.
Stephen Leporati
Principal Curator & Founder
FNESTRA
489 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy North VIC 3068