A History Of Hardwood Furniture

The original concept for Natural Selection was developed by the former Managing Director, Peter Phillips, around 1994. It came about during his third year at RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) studying furniture design and construction and material technology.

Peter envisaged an operation where the design, manufacture and retailing of his furniture all took place within the one business. This ensured that he had complete control over each phase, resulting in a consistently high standard.

After opening in a tiny workshop in Richmond, the company rapidly built a reputation for making hardwood furniture with a uniquely Australian feel.

The company continued to grow, moving to a larger premises nearby and expanding the range to include bedroom furniture and lounge suites. Customers became increasingly familiar with Natural Selection’s range, which enabled them to schedule one piece after another, often over years, knowing that each successive piece would match in style and appearance.

In mid 2005, Peter reached a point in his career where, coinciding with the end of the Richmond lease, he decided it was time to retire. At the risk of handing the business on to someone who lacked the passion and commitment to take the business into the future, Peter almost decided to wrap things up there. But it soon became clear that, among the potential buyers interested, there was one existing furniture manufacturer that would fill Peter's shoes perfectly.

Now the new owners of Natural Selection, a business with 25 years experience in furniture making and native hardwoods, have reopened in a brand new store in Collingwood. With already existing key staff members in place from the company's former premises, this new store and its new owners bring a refreshed commitment and dedication to its customers, the manufacturing of the furniture, and the industry, now, and well into the future.