About valecroft

I spent about 22 years swinging a hammer around the Darling Downs, mostly residential builds and some commercial fit-outs closer to Brisbane. Carpentry was good work and I was decent at it, but by the time I hit 44 I was getting tired of the same conversation on every site: client wants something with a bit of character, you price it up properly, and they baulk at the number and go with flat-pack from somewhere in Brisbane. You end up building the same house over and over. I wasn't burned out exactly, just bored in a way that's hard to shake when you're still getting up at 5am every day.

Before Valecroft was anything, I was just a bloke buying solid timber pieces at the Toowoomba Antique Centre on Ruthven Street on weekends and reselling them through Facebook Marketplace. Started in 2019 as something to do on Saturdays. By mid-2020 I was turning over around $1,800 a month doing almost nothing, just cleaning things up and photographing them in the driveway. That told me something. The demand was there and nobody local was filling it properly. Most of what I was reselling had come out of deceased estates from around Oakey and Pittsworth, old Queensland hardwood stuff that people were practically giving away.

— Built it myself. Still do. — Timothy, Timothy Gibson

Our team

• Renata Kowalczyk — Workshop Finishing and Dispatch: Renata came on in early 2022 after Timothy put a card up at the Toowoomba TAFE noticeboard looking for someone with a steady hand and no fear of orbital sanders. She'd been doing furniture restoration out of her shed in Harristown for a few years and knew her finishes better than most. She handles final sanding, oil application, and quality checks before anything goes into a box, and she runs the dispatch bench on shipping days.
• Desmond Achterberg — Timber Prep and Machining: Desmond grew up in Oakey and did a cabinet-making apprenticeship at a joinery in Toowoomba before spending several years working for a flooring company out of Brendale. He joined Valecroft in mid-2023 when that company downsized. He runs the thicknesser, the bandsaw, and the crosscut station, and he does most of the rough machining that turns raw slabs into workable blanks. His ability to read grain and spot hidden checks in timber has saved a fair few pieces.
• Miriam Tsolakis — Orders and Customer Communications: Miriam handles everything that happens on a screen: order processing, customer emails, shipping queries, and the occasional Instagram message that needs a real answer. She lives in Rangeville and came to Valecroft through a mutual contact at the Toowoomba Farmers Market, where Timothy used to sell occasionally in 2021. She works three days a week from home and one day in the workshop so she knows exactly what she's talking about when a customer asks a specific question about a product.

Frequently asked questions

How long will my order take to arrive?

Standard shipping takes 3–8 business days depending on your location. Express orders placed before 2pm AEST Monday–Friday are dispatched the same day and typically arrive in 1–3 business days. Remote areas may take a little longer.

Do you ship to PO boxes or parcel lockers?

Yes, we ship to PO boxes and Australia Post parcel lockers via standard Australia Post. Express orders through StarTrack require a physical street address, so keep that in mind when checking out.

What is your return policy?

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery for items in their original, unused condition. If something arrives damaged or isn't as described, we'll sort it out quickly. See our full returns policy for details on exclusions and how to start a return.

Can I get something custom-made or personalised?

We do take on a limited number of custom orders each month. Reach out to us at hello@valecroft.com with what you have in mind and Timothy will get back to you within two business days to discuss whether it's something we can do.

How do I care for my Valecroft products?

Care instructions vary by product and are included on a card inside every order. As a general rule, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and moisture. If you've misplaced your care card, email us at hello@valecroft.com and we'll send the details through.

What materials do you use?

We work with a range of natural and durable materials sourced from Australian and international suppliers. Each product listing on the website specifies exactly what's in it, so check the product page before purchasing if materials matter to you.

Do you offer gift wrapping?

Yes. You can add gift wrapping at checkout for $6. We'll wrap your order neatly and include a handwritten card if you leave a message in the gift note field. It's a good option if you're sending directly to someone else's address.

Are your products suitable for people with allergies or sensitivities?

Material details are listed on each product page. If you have a specific allergy concern — for example to certain woods, resins, or finishes — email hello@valecroft.com before ordering and we'll give you a straight answer about what's in the product.

Customer reviews

• 5/5 “Solid product, fast delivery” Ordered the Signature Item on a Tuesday and it was on my doorstep by Thursday — didn't expect that from Queensland to Melbourne. The quality is exactly what the photos suggested, no surprises. Packaging was clean and nothing shifted in transit. Already thinking about picking up a second one as a gift.
• 4/5 “Good value, minor wait” The Second Item is well made and looks great on the shelf. Shipping took about six days to Sydney, which is on the longer end but not a problem given I wasn't in a rush. Would have been five stars but the outer box had a small dent — the product inside was fine though.
• 5/5 “Exactly what I wanted” I was a bit hesitant buying online without seeing it in person, but the Signature Item matches the description closely. Arrived well packed with a care card included, which I appreciated. Customer service replied to a pre-purchase question within a day. Happy to order again.
• 4/5 “Nice piece, sensible price” Picked up the Second Item after seeing it mentioned in a local Facebook group. It's sturdy and does what it's supposed to do without any fuss. Delivery was quick since I'm in Queensland too — arrived next day. Only slight gripe is the gift wrap option added a bit of bulk to the parcel.
• 5/5 “Great gift, recipient loved it” Sent the Signature Item directly to a friend in Hobart using the gift wrapping option. My friend said it arrived looking great and the handwritten card was a nice touch. The whole process from ordering to delivery took four days. Will use Valecroft again for gifts.
• 4/5 “Does the job well” Bought the Second Item after reading the product description carefully — it's accurate, which I can't always say for online stores. Took five business days to Adelaide, which is standard. The finish is consistent and it sits neatly where I put it. No complaints.

From the journal

• Why I walked off the tools and into the shed — After 22 years swinging a hammer for other people, I needed something I could actually put my name on.
• Where I actually get my timber from, honestly — Spotted gum doesn't just appear at your door, and the sourcing story is messier and more interesting than most people think.
• How to actually oil your timber coffee table at home — I get asked about maintenance more than almost anything else, so here is what I actually do and why.
• End-grain serving boards and the things I got wrong first — End-grain construction looks straightforward until you've glued up your third board that cupped overnight and understand it isn't.
• Getting through December orders when the shed hits 41 degrees — A Toowoomba December is not when you want to be finishing timber under time pressure, but here we are.
• Testing hoop pine from a Warwick mill, six months on — I picked up hoop pine on a bit of a gamble last September and I've had enough time now to say what I actually think.