Studio Frayne, Where Brutalist Dreams Meet Handmade Craft

Far from his hometown in Wales, deep in the creative energy of Australia, the founder of Studio Frayne is carving out his own path — one that quietly challenges the conventions of furniture design. With roots in joinery and carpentry, his journey has never been about following a blueprint. Instead, it’s about listening to his instincts, experimenting without fear, and allowing the process itself to guide what takes shape.

Thomas - Founder of Studio Frayne

Words by Aliecia Cindy

“I’ve always loved painting, even as a kid. I was drawn to geometric shapes,” he reflects. “When I moved to Australia, I naturally started mixing my paintings with the furniture I was making. I didn’t want to stick to any design rules, I just wanted to explore what felt right in the moment, what came naturally.”

‘Ymlacio’

That openness is at the heart of Studio Frayne’s creations — raw, sculptural pieces that feel both ancient and modern. There’s a certain honesty in his work: it doesn’t try to hide its imperfections or smooth over the marks of its making. Instead, those details become part of the story. Black dominates his palette — not just as a design choice, but as something deeply personal. “I’m always drawn to black. It’s dark, mysterious, medieval… it reminds me of home, of Wales’ history, of that raw, rugged feeling,” he explains.

When it comes to materials, Studio Frayne is guided by both sustainability and spontaneity. Timber offcuts, leftover steel, scraps others might overlook, these become the building blocks of his pieces. “It’s just about reusing what I can, helping the planet a bit, and making something new out of what’s already there.”

The process is loose, intuitive, and refreshingly unplanned. “I don’t really sit down and design things out. I let my hands do the talking,” he says. “If I slip with the chisel, or if something bends differently than I thought — I don’t see that as a mistake. I work with it. It’s all part of how the piece finds its own form.” Among his creations, one that stands out is a chair inspired by brutalist architecture. It originally had arms, but something about the design didn’t sit right, so he removed them. The grooves left behind tell the story of what it once was. “I like that the marks are still there. It’s not crisp and perfect like furniture from a shop. It’s got its own identity. It feels alive.”

Frayne’s creative world is growing beyond the walls of his workshop. He’s begun collaborating with an emerging fashion store in Chippendale. Together, they’re reimagining the shop’s space, creating furniture and pieces that blend both their visions. A new collection is on the horizon, as are plans for another exhibition. For someone who admits to being naturally shy, stepping into the spotlight hasn’t always been easy. “Doing the last show really pushed me to go beyond what I thought I was comfortable with,” he says. “But it felt good. It made me see that sharing the work is part of the process too.”

‘Aelwyd’ handmade from repurposed oak

For Studio Frayne, design is about presence. It’s about not overthinking, not forcing. It’s a reminder that real creativity happens when you give yourself permission to simply make — to let your hands lead and see where the process takes you.