Nathan Day is recognised as one of Australia’s finest furniture designer-makers, with a 25-year career dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design. Nathan’s interest in furniture was sparked during his high school woodwork classes. His passion grew when he was offered an apprenticeship with a renowned Yallingup furniture maker and ultimately became his obsession when he became the first Australian to train at the prestigious Edward Barnsley Workshop in England. It was here he immersed himself in the traditions of the English Arts and Crafts movement, dramatically re-shaping his approach to design, craftsmanship, and materials. These foundational experiences serve as the underlying principles of his work today, where a commitment to longevity and integrity underpins every aspect of his process.
As a self-taught designer, Nathan combines his technical mastery with a keen eye for contemporary aesthetics. His furniture is created through a unique combination of traditional joinery, rare and spectacular local timbers, and cutting-edge digital tools. This balance between heritage techniques and modern innovation ensures that each piece is not only visually striking but also structurally impeccable and crafted to last for generations.
In 2010, Nathan founded Nathan Day Design in his parents' garage in Yallingup.
Since then, his work has evolved significantly, moving to a purpose-built workshop in Vasse, Western Australia, in 2018. At the heart of Nathan’s business is a small, highly skilled team of furniture makers who share his passion and commitment to innovation and progression. Together, they push the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship, inventing unique construction processes and developing signature finishes such as ebonised Walnut and Scorched jarrah. The workshop is at the forefront of timber engineering techniques, including torsion box construction, vacuum forming, and digital sculpting. These cutting-edge methods enable Nathan and his team to create structurally groundbreaking furniture while elevating the entire making process to new levels of excellence.
Nathan’s work has been acquired by some of the world’s most prominent companies, including Louis Vuitton and Apple. His designs are featured in commercial projects and private homes across Australia and internationally, Nathan has collaborated with many of Australia’s most talented architects, and interior designers, taking on projects of all scales. In 2023, he was commissioned