Hand-crafted by Cole
A timber craftsman since the age of 16 and head of his own company from 19, Christian Cole specialises in bespoke furniture and architectural joinery made from 100 percent recycled wood and timber sourced from sustainable commercial plantations. His clientele includes interior designers, homeowners and for the past 12 years, many of the contestants on The Block.
Here, Christian reveals his pathway to working on the hit TV series and how ATL Composites’ range of products add lustre and longevity to every hand-crafted item he creates.
How did the partnership with The Block come about?
It actually started over 12 years ago. A fellow furniture maker had been approached by Maddi and Jarrod, contestants on Season 7 back in 2013, to supply a piece for their room. He wasn’t keen on taking it on, so he rang me to see if I could help. I got in touch with the contestants and, well, the rest is history. We’ve been involved with the show every year since.
How is your furniture used in the show?
Our pieces usually end up in the contestants’ rooms. Most often, it’s dining tables, but over the years we’ve also made hall tables, bedside tables, and even a couple of kitchen island bars.
Have you had to expand your workshop or team to keep up with demand?
Not so much expand, but it does mean a lot of juggling. The timelines are always short, so I often end up working long hours – early mornings and late nights – to make it happen. You do get attached to the contestants and want to help them finish in time for those big Sunday reveals.
What pieces are the most popular?
Dining tables, hands down. People love them in every size, style, and timber.
Any one-off commissions or memorable pieces?
Plenty! Most of my work is custom designed for individual homes, often very large family homes. I’ve also made pieces for celebrities, churches, universities, large commercial buildings and some beautiful country estates, which is always a bit special.
What are the hallmarks of your furniture?
Size is a big one. Our dining tables are often on the larger side. A lot of them are made from a single slab of timber, which gives them real presence. And I still use traditional joinery methods, which I think is key to making sure each piece lasts for generations.
What ATL products do you use and why?
I use ATL’s WEST SYSTEM epoxy resin in almost every project. The WEST SYSTEM range is brilliant for bringing timber to life. It stabilises natural cracks and voids, but more than that, it enhances the grain and adds real depth and character to the piece.
Customers love that combination of raw, organic beauty with a polished, high-end finish. ATL’s products give me absolute peace of mind because the company is reliable, easy to work with, and give me the assurance that my craftsmanship is backed by materials that perform at the highest standard. For me, it’s about trust; I know ATL’s products will do justice to the timber and the hours I put into each piece.
What’s next for CC Furniture? Any exhibitions or new showrooms?
At the moment, no. We’ve built up a strong following, and I’m kept flat out just keeping up with the demand for bespoke pieces. Expanding or exhibiting isn’t on the cards right now—I’m just focused on creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind furniture for my clients.
