Hello, It’s been awhile hasn’t it! I have been sharing less posts on my Fairy Wren Cottage instagram account and writing fewer blog posts related to Fairy Wren Cottage but I am diligently keeping in touch via my monthly newsletter called Fairy Wren Cottage Postcards. Everyone is welcome, this is a safe inclusive space where […]

S H E L V I N G Including Bookshelves. Wall Units. Home Libraries. Kitchen Shelving. *For the purpose of this post and to keep things simple, I’ll refer to any type of bookshelf with or without doors, wall units, home libraries, and kitchen shelving with or without doors as shelving. I make a range […]

Photo: Red Ironbark benchtop. Tasmanian Oak cabinetry. Kitchen Island made by me. Client design. I specialise in making a range of timber benchtops eg. Tasmanian Oak, Celerytop, Wattle,  Myrtle, Red Ironbark, Huon Pine.  But I am happy to only make the cabinetry if you would prefer a benchtop that is not timber. My timber benchtops […]

Bathrooms by Michael Van Heel. Sharing some examples of my work and some tips to consider when purchasing, hiring tradies and safety. Photo 1: This cabinet and bench top have been in daily use for the last six years, no water damage, no buckling or timber splitting. Photo 2: Plastering, tiling, dado panelling, salvaged window […]

Tips for Ordering hardware, fittings, fixtures, furniture and appliances. I know it can feel very overwhelming with so many choices and who to order from, you aren’t alone, a lot of clients put off shopping for things that the project schedule relies on. Whatever you decide, try to order everything asap and ask for a […]

Keep your benchtops dry, which is, an essential part of practicing good kitchen hygiene regardless of what type of benchtops you have. Don’t leave dishes to drip dry straight on to your benchtops. You can puchase draining boards that fit into sinks for hand washing. The most effective way we have found is purchasing a […]

Hello, I’m in the middle of doing a quote for a client. They are wanting to replace large single glazed windows with double glazed French doors. I’m really happy to make one set of doors at a time. It’s a good way to budget. Get one set made, save up, get another set done. Another […]

Client confidentiality I love my work and an important part of it is building trusting, respectful relationships with clients, a strong foundation for working together. Confidentiality also plays an important role in a respectful working relationship. For this reason I don’t disclose how much an individual client’s project costs to a third party. The same […]

Above: Before photo including the lovely shade of shagpile carpet. The cooker placed where the “old island bench” was. Bespoke dresser made to  fit to left of where the “old island bench” was.  Kitchen sink stayed in the same spot to save plumbing costs. Double glazed windows and bespoke kitchen all made and installed by […]