The Beldon resident is trained in the traditional methods of furniture making, which he said dates back thousands of years.
After moving to Perth from the UK in 2001, he maintained his craft as a hobby until deciding to open his own business Peter Walker Furniture more than two years ago.
‘I realised there was a niche in the market for high-quality, lasting furniture,’ he said.
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READ NOW‘Australia is quite a young country, so it doesn’t have many antiques or the understanding of the history and story behind pieces of handmade furniture like Europe and the UK.’
Operating from his home workshop, Mr Walker is a believer in sticking to tradition with furniture making, creating everything by hand, even down to his drawing designs. ‘You could buy one dining table that lasts your lifetime and your kids, or half a dozen over your lifetime,’ Walker said.
‘Unfortunately, unless you’re trained, you don’t know what won’t last, so I try to educate people and then given the choice, nine out of 10 will choose the traditional option.’
Besides the romance and rich history of owning a piece of enduring furniture, Walker also believes the environment doesn’t benefit from short-term items.
‘With trees that have taken hundreds of years to grow, I don’t feel it’s right to make something that’s only going to last 10 years,’ he said.
‘If you invest in a timeless quality piece now, you and your family will have it for many generations to come.’