Double Dutch

Jo Stewart A Dutch woodworker called Hans Boon meets a woman from country Victoria while travelling. They get married and settle in her hometown of Daylesford, where he meets a local artist with Dutch heritage who shares the same passion for crafting unique objects.

This abridged version of how the Boon The Bromley & Co. gallery in Melbourne also stocks “There are so many tree species in Australia. I like to use Bromley furniture brand was born reflects Boon Bromley pieces. Victorian ash as it’s strong and looks good. It grows quite how some things were just meant to be. quickly so it’s a sustainable timber. I also love blackbutt For Hans Boon and David Bromley, working “Every piece we create is unique. They are all numbered, and stringybark. They have such beautiful grains, every together comes naturally. so you get an investment piece for the future,” explains piece is so different from the other,” he says. Hans. Hans first met artist David Bromley while installing new Explaining that he loves “the small country town feel” windows in his home. Since then, they’ve developed a The initial outlay for a piece of Boon Bromley furniture of Daylesford, Hans and his family live on three acres of friendship that has evolved into a working partnership is more than you’d pay for mass-produced furniture land just outside of town. based on a mutual love of creating beautiful, hand- bought at chain stores, but Boon Bromley pieces aren’t crafted pieces of furniture that will stand the test of time. your average table or chair. They’re functional, durable “Where I live feels so rural, but on the main street of works of art designed to last for centuries. Daylesford it feels like you’re in Melbourne with the bars Having learned the woodworking trade from his father and galleries. And in only five minutes you can be in the while growing up in the Netherlands, Hans ran his own “People know they’re going to have our pieces for the forest. I love that contrast,” says Hans. window making and joinery business before teaming up rest of their lives. Then they’ll pass them onto their with David to design and build bespoke furniture under children,” says Hans. @jostewartwriter the Boon Bromley name. Photos:(L-R): Yuge Bromley, Hans Boon & David Bromley The wide variety of high-quality timbers available to Boon Bromley furniture. Photography by Sean McDonald Opened in January 2020, the Boon Bromley store in furniture makers in Australia means Hans is spoilt for Daylesford is only one of two locations that customers choice for materials to work with. Bromley & Co. bromleyandco.com can buy furniture made by Hans and David. Boon Bromley boonbromley.com