Craft at Work with Woodworker Logan Douglas

When you order custom stair nosings or trims from us, you might not realise they're handmade in-house by one person. That person is Logan Douglas, and the care that he puts into every piece is exactly what you'd hope for, and probably more than you'd expect.

Logan runs the Forté woodworking workshop, where he makes custom stair nosings, trims, display panels and whatever else our clients or team needs built to the same standard as the products themselves. The stair nosings – cut from the same flooring you've chosen, shaped and finished by hand – are where the craft is most visible. Grain continues around the nosing, colour matches seamlessly, and the finished piece looks like it's been bent into shape rather than cut and glued. A detail most people will never consciously notice, which is precisely the point.

Self-taught, with a foundation laid by his dad, his grandfather, and years spent in fabrication workshops and boatyards – cabinet making runs in the family – Logan came to Forté after running his own custom furniture business. Before that, he spent six years in North Queensland as a dive instructor and boat skipper. The common thread through all of it has been making things, and making them well.

We spent a morning in Logan's workshop to learn more about the craft behind the product, and the person behind the craft.

How long have you been at Forté, and where did you learn your trade?

I have been at Forte for just over a year. I am mostly self-taught through an enjoyment of making things. I have worked in fabrication workshops and boat yards which gave me some good grounding not to mention the lessons taught to me by my dad and grandad.

What were you doing before you joined — have you always worked with your hands?

Before I joined the Forte team, I was running my own woodworking and furniture making business, making custom solid wood furniture and built ins. I’ve generally always worked with my hands in multiple trades, although I did spend 6 years in Nth Queensland as a dive instructor, sailor and skipper on tourist boats.

How did you end up working with timber specifically?

I’ve always enjoyed making things no matter what it is made of steel, fiberglass, wood etc. My family has a history of cabinet making and joinery so it’s in the blood, I guess. I enjoy the challenges of timber, the beautiful grain and uniqueness of every piece.

What do you actually make here — how would you describe your role to someone who's never seen the workshop?

I run the woodworking workshop in which I predominantly make stair nosings for our clients using planks of the flooring they have chosen. I also make custom parts or custom nosings to suit whatever the client requires. On top of that I make the display panels for our showrooms and other displays or accessories to support the sales and showroom teams.

Walk me through what happens when a custom stair nosing order comes in.

When a custom order comes in the first thing I need to do is confirm the dimensions and special features of the custom order. From there its not too dissimilar to a normal nosing except that things are done by hand. This means customising cuts, glueing things up by hand (rather than in the jigs) and setting up machines for extra cuts to get the special details right. All the nosings made are finished by hand so they all get the special attention our clients expect from Forte products.

What does getting it right look like — how do you know a piece is done?

Getting it right looks like the stair nosing has been bent into shape, rather than cut and glued, where grain matching and colour matching is spot on. The nosings are cut in a way that the grain continues around the nosing (sometimes this can’t be done) and is colour matched exactly right so it looks seamless. I know they are done when I feel I’d be happy to have them in my house and I’m rather fussy.

What's the hardest part of matching a custom trim to an existing floor?

I wouldn’t say there is anything hard about it, I take the steps required to get it perfect. Odd or older colours can be a bit tricky to match the colour up if we don’t have the touch up colours on hand but with patience, I get there in the end.

Is there a particular piece you've made that you were really happy with? What made it work?

I’m really happy with all the pieces I make else they wouldn’t leave the workshop, but I do get a lot of satisfaction with the Premium and Accessible nosings. They are fiddly to do but look great and the trims enhance the wood grain and colours. I also enjoy the display models as they showcase our products in the way they will be used (or in a different way if the case may be) and it’s nice to see them come together with the details they need. The briefcase I made for a trade show comes to mind, actually.

Your work lives in people's homes long after you've made it — what does it mean to you to know that?

Through my furniture making and now the nosings, I feel honoured that people will look at, use or enjoy the things I make for them for years to come. In most cases, I feel a little jealous that they get to see them every day.

Outside of work — any hobbies or interests that feed into the way you work?

I love making things. I have a small workshop at home and am often in there making all sorts of furniture and contraptions or I’m on the CAD software designing the next piece of furniture, a machine or a thing to 3d print. I own a 106-year-old villa which needs love and attention to keep her looking good. On top of that I enjoy getting outdoors, walking the dogs, surfing, foiling and being in nature as much as poss