Why we choose hardwood for our floor beds.
A love letter to Blackbutt, messes, and making things that last.
When we first started making beds for children—starting with one for our daughter—we didn’t just think about how it would look in a room. We thought about what it would live through.
Because life with little ones is beautiful, chaotic, and full of moments that happen close to the floor. There are milk spills, bare feet, crayons gone rogue, and the occasional jump from the edge of the bed. And through all of that, we wanted something that would hold up—not just in strength, but in safety and simplicity too.
That’s why we build our children’s beds from solid Australian hardwood—specifically, Blackbutt.
It handles the mess without stress
From our own experience with our daughter, we know: mess happens. Water cups get tipped, milk gets splashed, tiny hands leave traces. What we’ve found is that Blackbutt wipes clean with almost no effort. It doesn’t stain easily and doesn’t hold onto marks the way softer timbers (like pale pine) often do.
And the best part? We leave our wood raw. No varnishes, oils, or waxes—just smooth, untreated timber. That means it’s not only easier to clean, but also completely free from anything that could off-gas into your child’s space.
It keeps its natural beauty for years
Blackbutt is one of those timbers that just ages well. Its colour and texture stay beautifully consistent over time—even with daily use. It doesn't fade unevenly or stain quickly like some softwoods. It holds its own, gracefully.
What you see when you get it is what you’ll likely see years down the line. That’s something we really value, especially when we’re building something designed to grow with your child.
It’s strong enough to grow with them
Children’s furniture should last—not just in theory, but practically. In real homes, things get moved around, taken apart, reassembled in a new room, passed on to a younger sibling.
With softwood beds, you often get just one good assembly. Take them apart once and the screw holes start to wear. But with dense Australian hardwood, like Blackbutt, you can assemble and disassemble multiple times without damaging the integrity of the piece. It’s just built to last, the way things used to be.
Safe, natural, and free from chemicals
We know parents today care deeply about what goes into their children’s environment—and
so do we. One of the reasons we love Blackbutt is that it’s naturally termite-resistant, which means it doesn’t need to be treated with chemicals or preservatives.
By leaving it completely raw, we avoid any varnishes, oils, or coatings that could release fumes into your child’s space. What you get is real, pure wood—safe for little hands, lungs, and curious mouths.
It’s sustainable and locally sourced
All our Blackbutt is sourced from certified sustainable forests here in Australia. Choosing local hardwoods helps reduce the environmental footprint of imported timber, and it supports ethical forestry practices at home.
Whenever we can, we also upcycle and reuse offcuts—especially when it comes to our slats. It’s one of the small ways we honour the material and reduce waste.
When we build with hardwood, we’re not just building furniture. We’re building something that will stand up to family life, carry memories, and maybe even be passed on someday. It’s more work, but it’s worth it—for your child, for the planet, and for the beauty of a material that asks for nothing but to be itself.
Thanks for being part of this slower, simpler way of making.
Not without its trade-offs
As much as we love Blackbutt, we know it’s not perfect for every situation. Like all hardwoods, it comes at a higher cost compared to softwoods like pine. It’s also heavier, which can make it a bit trickier to move or handle during assembly—especially for larger beds.
But for us, these are trade-offs worth making. The durability, safety, and lasting beauty of hardwood more than make up for the extra weight or investment. We choose to build fewer things, but build them better—and we think that’s something children deserve.