Recycled Picture Frames & Homewares

Mulbury manufacture furniture, homewares and picture frames using recycled Australian hardwood timber, mainly Victorian Ash. So far they have saved over 20,000 lineal meters of Australian hardwood from going to waste. Joining our Sustainable Home Hub, the team at Mulbury only use recycled Australian hardwood timbers that would otherwise go to waste and landfill. “We hand rub natural waxes and oils into these beautiful hardwood timbers to nurture and moisturize them, giving these timbers a second chance to be admired once again” explains founder, Gerard Melder.

Open for 26 years, Mulbury has a dedicated staff of 6 passionate people who all share the same mission statement – to leave this planet better than we found it. “We stand for the environment and believe that recycling timer to handcraft products is one of the main sources to combat global warming. Our stand is our brand” says Gerard.  Gerard started Mulbury after becoming more and more disillusioned with the building industry and the amount of precious timber that was going to waste. After starting the business, whenever it got too hot or was raining, they leased a factory and would build furniture using recycled timbers from the worksite, or the houses they had deconstructed.

Fast forward to today and their frames have become their signature product, shipping them all over Australia and now, all over the world. “Today more and more people are considering the environment and using recycled materials when making lifestyle choices” says Gerard. When he started the business however, they were laughed at when they started to use recycled timber to make furniture, homewares and picture frames. Today they feel blessed as so many people now want to have some beautiful recycled hardwood timbers in their home, with the battle scars of another life served.

“People just seem to love the character and warmth of Australian hardwood timbers” says Gerard. With their picture framing, the team at Mulbury create harmony between the artwork and the hardwood frame, by selecting a species of timber that will complement the art piece or the décor. With recycled timber furniture there is always a warmth and feel of a handcrafted bespoke piece that works well for people who want to have something special, or an heirloom to pass on to future generations.

Gerard’s tips for a more sustainable home

• Research, research, research, you will find that today you can find almost any look or style you want by using recycled materials.
• From recycled concrete, to timber frame and roof trusses, to windows and doors, to roof tiles and floorboards. Recycled timber for kitchen benches – the list goes on, only governed by your imagination.

Currently the Mulbury team are working on a large scale piece, as part of a presentation for a “Lord of the Rings” project. “We are using wide board hardwood Victorian Ash for the frame. The ring and the key will be embedded into the frame and lit up using LED lighting, which is concealed. Inside the frame there are two maps of the journey, again lit up using concealed lighting. The finish of the frame is in a Chocolate wax and the JR Tolkin logo and other language and sayings have been laser etched into the frame in gold” explains Gerard.

“To look into the future, you have to look into your past” says Gerard. “Our past is our future. If you can’t see your past then you also cannot see your future. We are making a stand for the environment”.

You can see more of Mulbury’s work on their website 
Helen