A recent project by Melbourne design studio Foolscap reveals some of the many complexions of Australian native hardwoods. Men's clothing retailer Vanishing Elephant has opened in a new store in the Queen Victoria Building retail centre on a floor of scuffed reclaimed hardwood floorboards. The Tasmanian Oak boards bearing the stamp of Tasmania's Russell Sawmill hail from an old rail shed in the Flinders Street precinct - having endured about seventy years of toil with breath left in them still - but little of their original planed refinement. The installation may have left a few traders in Melbourne's Retail Temple aghast - but the coarse nap and agricultural appearance of the boards is impressive, and infuses the overall design with a sense of adventure and exoticism.

Burnished Spotted Gum in its variegated tones contrasts with the foot-worn and abraded floorboards on the shop floor. These planed recycled timbers are resized from large section bridge and pole timbers, and profiled to floorboard - but reveal only occasional glimpses of a hard life. Recycled gum-veined Messmate frames the display windows and entry. Both are sanded and oiled to a furniture finish. It's a study in tonal contrasts. A concert of timber textures in an inventive arrangement - finding design expression amongst the polished stone and manicured American Oaks of the QVB.
 

  
Tasmanian Oak Specials

For those with a sense of adventure or a project requiring a rustic look, you can find inspiration and value on our Bargain Packs page online. Foolscap designers Sian Pascale and Adele Winteridge found their Rail Shed floor on this page. Currently there is a Beech Myrtle and some recycled Blackwood - as well as a list of Tasmanian Oak joblots and remainders.