Grain has been designed as a world-wide unique “artisan” bar featuring a blend of one of the widest variety of creative uses of timber in one location possible blending a variety of commissioned artist finishes and features in timber.
The walls and hanging faux-beams are clad in American Cherry veneer from local timber merchant Briggs Veneers, adding a subtle shade of red to compliment the use of warm, vibrant copper throughout the bar, while the flooring is a Walnut topped engineered floor planks from local firm Big River Timbers.
One wall features a fascinating back-lit section of laser-cut perforations behind the timber veneer front in a stylised “delta” pattern which glows softly from within, bringing out the natural red of the cherry wood.
Another timber wall features a beautiful artistic inlay of antique copper metal in the Cherry veneer from specialist Sydney firm Axolotl.
At the bar’s hotel entrance, an artisan sand-blast carved New Guinea Rosewood timber floor-to-ceiling wall panel sits behind a custom designed and built glass topped Tasmanian Oak timber “skeleton” table, all by Tamworth-based master timber craftsman Athol Wright of Country Design.
Sitting atop this entry glass topped table is an organically hand-carved timber based lamp entitled “Museum Lamp” from acclaimed American designer Bill Sofield for US-based Baker Furniture from local supplier Cavit & Co.
Featured at both Lobby and George St entrances are custom designed and made oversized timber entry doors featuring a patchwork of differing Australian hardwoods, also hand-made by Athol Wright of Country Design.
Another wall features a stunning salago palm frond pulp and metal wire sculpture wall hanging entitled “Little People” from acclaimed Philippines artist Kenneth Cobonpue.
A stunning island fireplace clad in artisan-matched Vavona burl timber created by artisans at Briggs Veneers, actually shaved from the massive root area of the giant Sequoia Redwood Mammoth tree from North America, representing perhaps the ultimate in recycling by using the root of the tree.
Perhaps the most eye-catching feature is the centre island bar, clad in giant slabs of Australian Blackbutt timber over a frosted glass inner core by Athol Wright.