Our Story — Handcrafted Timber Furniture from the Yarra Valley
Ca La Donna is a small furniture workshop in Warburton, nestled in the forests below Mt Donna Buang. Run by Matt and Maryan, every piece is designed and built together with care, intention, and a love for solid timber.
How We Got Here
Matt first picked up woodworking tools in Tasmania, where he spent five years training under Bill Turner at Turner and Sons Blackwood Furniture – learning the craft of fine handmade furniture from one of the best in the business. But life had other plans, and a move to Melbourne kicked off a 19-year corporate career that kept the workshop quiet.
Fast forward to 2022. Matt and Maryan bought their place in Warburton – tree ferns, fresh mountain air, and the kind of quiet that makes you want to build things with your hands again. Together they started Ca La Donna, and it’s been a partnership from day one.
Maryan handles the design eye and the finishing – every piece is hand-oiled to bring out the grain and protect the timber for decades. Matt takes care of the making – from milling raw timber through to the final fit. Between the two of them, every piece that leaves the workshop has been shaped, sanded, and finished by hand.
We work with beautiful Australian hardwoods – Tasmanian Oak, Blackwood, Victorian Ash, Jarrah, Sassafras, and Huon Pine. Clients are welcome to bring their own timber, or we can source the right material to match your project.
Whether it starts with a sketch on a napkin, a photo you’ve saved, or just a rough idea of what you need – we’ll work with you to design something that fits your space, your style, and your life.
Ready to start your project?
We’d love to hear your ideas. Share your vision with us and let’s design a piece that’s uniquely yours.