CONSTANTIA FURNITURE - tradition, passion & imagination carved to last

‘Dreams are journeys on which only the brave and visionary embark; they take us far from familiar shores, strengthen the heart and empower the soul.’ 

 

Bernie Koker was born in Constantia in Namibia, South Africa, leaving his home for Australia in 1970 to work as a draftsman for a United States exploration company.  He quickly developed a love affair with the Australian bush and combined it with his first love— designing and carving timber furniture. Some would say pursuing his life’s purpose, following his father’s death.

‘I could argue that there was an element of luck in that the only inheritance from my father was a moderately sized but immaculately kept box of hand wood-working tools, and a burning passion to continue an unspoken tradition and love for things beautifully and well made.’

Bernie started his business in 1977, in a shed on the outskirts of Port Lincoln, South Australia, which has the ideal climate for his beloved collection containing some beautiful and rare timbers. He has close to100 types of timber stacked in the workshop, from Queensland maple, blackbean and grey box eucalypt, through to Honduras mahogany and Macassa ebony from the Philippines, which can cost as much as $1000 a metre to import. Some of the collection has now been listed as an endangered or restricted species.

Bernie sealed his reputation in the mid 1980s by designing and building the grand Central Table and Hansard Desk for the House of Representatives for the new Parliament House, Canberra.

Constantia furniture meets the demands of the international market, with annual shipments to customers in the United Stated (the price tag for a dining suite is from $200,000).

Bernie’s daughter Summer Koker who works in the business says they never compromise on quality, ‘It’s our hallmark. Each piece, lovingly created, is built to last centuries, and each reflects the skill and traditions of past masters. It’s no surprises these pieces are gaining a reputation on the international market as collectable pieces among heavyweight investors.’

During my private tour of the workroom I spotted an enormous and incredibly detailed timber map of Australia, which was 10 years in the making. ‘There is no hurrying what we do here; patience and care is the difference’, says Summer.

Constantia’s position as an accredited member of the International Guild of Master Craftsman is a testament to Bernie’s level of craftsmanship.

Today, Bernie is semi-retired, but Summer has inherited her father’s (and grandfather’s) aspirations, passion, vision and energy for this ancient art form.

Not all pieces by Constantia are out of reach for more modest buyer; for example, collector’s boxes used to store everything from cigars to jewellery sell from around $1700.

Complementary to the furniture, Bernie has developed a range of non-toxic, organic, easy to use oils and waxes. The range is designed to enhance the naturalness of wood by bringing out its natural depth, clarity and lustre in a variety of applications.

Knowing the quality of the product, I introduced one of my interior design clients to the range. He is building a home in the coastal town of Coffin Bay, South Australia, taking upmost care with the environmental footprint in all aspects of design. We used a combination of waxes and oils in a variety of applications—from recycled timber floors to external metal finishes, which require protection from the strong salty ocean winds.

Building a sustainability eco-friendly home without compromising on quality is the aim and these products are a perfect fit and so easy to use.

‘Containing only the finest organic ingredients, the products offer genuine quality for the home handyperson, the environmentally conscious and professional alike’, says Summer.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For information/orders on Constantia oil and waxes click here


 

‘I could argue that there was an element of luck in that the only inheritance from my father was a moderately sized but immaculately kept box of hand wood-working tools, and a burning passion to continue an unspoken tradition and love for things beautifully and well made.’

Luck or passion?!? tell us what you think? 

  AGATHA O house of design – interior decoration & design is an award winning interior design Company in Adelaide, South Australia writing about lifestyle and WHAT’S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.

 

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