Our Material Philosophy

Learn about our curated material collection.

Why Birch Ply?

We work with FSC certified birch ply because it is honest, dependable, and made to last. Birch ply gives us strength without bulk, clean edges that age beautifully, and a consistency that allows us to design and make with precision.

The FSC certification matters to us because it provides traceability and accountability in how the timber is sourced, not as a badge, but as a baseline. It means the material has been responsibly managed from forest to sheet, so what ends up in your home is considered from the very beginning.

For furniture and joinery that is used every day, this balance of performance, longevity, and clarity of origin is hard to beat.

Made For Life

Our finishes are chosen with the same care as our materials, balancing durability and tactility. We use a commercial-grade, low-VOC paint sealant, available in clear or a considered range of colours, to protect the ply while letting the character of the material come through.

For harder-working surfaces, we press Laminex and Fenix laminates directly onto plywood for longevity and consistency in finish. We also work with metal-on-ply finishes, including brass, copper, and zinc. These bring a wabi-sabi warmth and a quiet sense of refinement.

Alongside these are locally made recycled plastic panels in a range of colours, used where resilience and personality are the focus. Textured OSB panels and dowel details are introduced sparingly, adding depth and contrast without noise. To keep everything looking its best over time, each material and finish is supported by a detailed and practical Care and Maintenance Guide.

Spilled Red Wine from Overturned Glass on a Wooden Surface

Close-up view of the olive green plywood stool

Owning The Process

Material choice sits at the heart of how we design and make. Our pieces are informed by the materials themselves, allowing their inherent strengths, limitations, and characteristics to guide each decision.

Rather than forcing materials into shapes they are not suited to, we work with their natural logic, building a quiet synergy between structure, surface, and function.

Working primarily with sheet materials allows us to reduce waste, maintain accuracy, and create repeatable elements without losing individuality. The result is furniture and joinery that feels resolved and unforced, designed to live comfortably in its space and evolve with it over time.

Crafted with Intention: So Watt’s Material Philosophy

At So Watt, being involved in every stage of the process is at the heart of how we work. From the very first idea to the finished piece, we stay hands-on to make sure each creation is crafted with care and purpose. This close connection to every project allows us to deliver exceptional quality, attention, and responsiveness.

Our Marrickville workshop brings designers and makers together under one roof. This close collaboration creates a natural flow from concept to construction, where ideas can be tested, refined, and brought to life with precision. When you visit our showroom, you’ll have the chance to meet the team, explore materials up close, and truly experience how our furniture takes shape.

We design with the full life of each piece in mind. That means thinking about how it looks and functions today, but also how it will adapt and endure over time. Many of our designs have more than one use, a writing desk that transforms into a bar, or a stool that fits just as well by the bed as in the living room. This kind of versatility helps reduce the need for replacement and keeps great furniture in your home longer.

The materials we choose reflect this thoughtful approach. We focus on those that can be reused, recycled, or repurposed, including responsibly sourced timber products and recycled plastic. Our aim is to create furniture that stands the test of time while encouraging mindful choices around consumption.

We also believe transparency is essential. We want you to feel confident and informed, knowing exactly how your piece is made, where the materials come from, and how it will perform in daily life. This openness helps us build trust and create furniture that looks as good as it feels.

Explore the So Watt Collection

Built from the Inside Out: Birch Ply and Beyond

At So Watt, the strength and character of our furniture begins with the materials we carefully select. Birch plywood is a key material in our range, chosen for its balance of strength, stability, and visual clarity.

Birch plywood is crafted from the White Birch tree, native to northern Europe. As this species does not grow in Australia, we source birch ply from regions that support responsible forestry and consistent manufacturing standards. We choose it for its durability, impressive strength, and resistance to warping, making it well suited to joinery and interior applications.

Its pale tone and distinctive wavy grain give it a quiet, architectural presence that works comfortably across residential and commercial spaces. At So Watt, we finish our birch ply using low VOC, water-based finishes. With sixteen house colours, two clear coats, and one stain available, there is flexibility to suit a wide range of interiors. Custom colours can also be sourced to align with specific palettes or project requirements.

By starting with quality plywood and building outward, we ensure every product is functional, considered, and made to last. Materials are never an afterthought. They are integral to how each piece looks, feels, and performs over time.

If you're working on a project and would like to explore the materials we offer, get in touch with us. Whether it's painted or laminated birch ply, or something else in our collection of Australian-made plywood furniture, we’ll help you find the right fit for your space.

Why Materials Matter

Furniture is often judged by what you can see, the colour, the finish, the shape in a room. But at So Watt, we believe what’s beneath the surface matters just as much. That’s why we work with materials that not only look good now, but hold up to the realities of everyday use, year after year.

We don’t treat sustainability as a label. For us, it’s part of the process. It’s about choosing materials with care, designing with intention, and building things that last. Every decision, from the type of plywood we use to the way we finish a piece, reflects a deeper goal: to create well-resolved furniture that doesn’t rely on trends, gimmicks, or disposable thinking.

Our plywood materials are selected not only for their aesthetic quality, but for how they perform over time. They are strong, stable, and well suited to the kind of refined, honest design we aim to deliver.

Choosing plywood furniture from So Watt means:

Longevity

Designed to hold its form and strength through years of daily use, whether in a home or a commercial setting. Furniture that earns its place over time.

Considered Sourcing

We prioritise locally made materials wherever possible and work closely with suppliers we trust. This supports skilled manufacturing and reduces unnecessary complexity in the supply chain.

Design Adaptability

Plywood lends itself beautifully to clean lines, subtle detailing, and refined joinery. It offers the flexibility we need to design pieces that work across homes, workspaces, and public environments.

Built for Use, Not Just Display

Low VOC finishes protect the surface without masking the material’s character. Every piece is hand-sanded and built to stand up to daily life, not just occasional use.

The Visual Language of Plywood

One of the most rewarding aspects of working with plywood is its visual character. Clean edge profiles, layered grain, and natural warmth create depth and texture that is rarely found in mass-produced furniture.

We bring out the best in these materials with:

Exposed ply edges
Clear or house-colour finishes
Hand-sanded and sealed surfaces

FAQs

Can I buy plywood sheets from So Watt for my own DIY project?

The best option is to purchase panels from our IKEA Hack collection. This means your pieces will be pre cut with high quality to machinery for precision, then sanded and finished by our skilled team.

We don't offer a cut-to-size service or sell the raw sheets of plywood as this service is better suited to your local harware store or materials supplier. Instead we focus on using our limited stock to create beautiful fully finished designs.

What materials are used for your benchtops?

Our benchtops are built on a plywood substrate and finished with materials such as Laminex, Fenix, Brass, Copper or Zinc. These finishes are selected for both their durability and visual appeal.

Can ‘Speckle’ be used on cupboard fronts or large panels?

Our Speckle recycled plastic material is available as a drawer front in our IKEA Hack collection, or occasionally featured alongside plywood in our furniture. Due to the nature of this material it needs to be supported, otherwise it will droop or sag. Therefore, we only work with this material in ways that have been rigurously tested by our team to ensure they are suitable.

Can I request a custom finish or colour?

Yes. We offer a custom colour paint option for an $80 fee. Our standard range includes 16 colours, 2 clear finishes, and 1 stained finish. If none of these suit your project, we can organise a colour of your choosing to be mixed with our low VOC, water-based finish. You will receive a sample of this colour on plywood for your approval. If it's not quite right you can repeat this process however each attempt will be charged at $80. The lead time for each sample is approximately 2 weeks.

Thanks to our in-house production model, we often work closely with clients to find the perfect finish. Please contact us here to discuss your needs.