Backwoods Timber Creations
Nestled on a pretty property between Seaforth and Clinton, sits a tidy, new barn that is the home to Backwoods Timber Creations, the artisan business of Kyle and Ali Johnson.
While the business may have a new home, it has been around since 2016 and is the result of the passion of Kyle for woodworking and his love of salvage timber.
The Johnsons began Backwoods Timber Creations in Listowel and moved to the area when they found the ideal property on Sanctuary Line that gave them the room to build a beautiful shop and showroom, and have a planing mill on site.
They do their own milling, as well as custom milling, with lumber that they source locally, and are especially proud that they focus on salvage wood, so that they are utilizing wood that might not otherwise be used.
They sell lumber and live wood edge pieces from the mill, but producing furniture is the primary business. All of the pieces are crafted on site, with the specialty being live edge and epoxy finishes. Ali says that the epoxy has really developed the business and allowed wood to be saved that might have ended up in a firepit. The epoxy resin allows wood with very rough edges or holes, to be turned into beautiful and practical pieces.
Since 2019, Ali has helped Kyle with the business side of things and created and implemented its marketing plan, but has also stepped up to help in the shop and has learned how to work with many different kinds of wood and to use the power tools of the trade.
The new building is a beautiful space that shows off both the raw materials and the couple’s creativity. The shop/showroom was
built in the fall of 2023, and features reclaimed materials from a shop on Kyle’s parents’ property, giving the space an authentic feel with steel siding, accent beams and a tongue-and-groove ceiling in the showroom.
The company specializes in dining and coffee tables, but takes on custom orders for many clients building legacy pieces that are both unique and multi-functional. Maple is the most popular wood, with ash and walnut close behind. Many clients come out to the shop to pick their own piece of wood, looking for pieces that speak to them but others are happy to let Kyle pick the perfect slab to accomplish the end effect.
Spring is a busy time for workshops, where customers can come learn about the whole process and have a finished piece to take home. Class length depends on the project with some coffee table workshops taking place over a few hours, while epoxy projects take place over two classes with a few days for curing between.
They also offer both private workshops for groups of four or more, or corporate classes where they can bring a workshop to your site with their mobile set-up.
The store is open by appointment only, but keep an eye on their social media as they are planning a few “pop-up” days where the store will be open for a day here or there, as time permits.
The online store is always open and they specialize in custom orders and would love to work with you to design and build an heirloom piece for your home, office or cottage.
www.backwoodstimbercreations.ca 76837 Sanctuary Line, Seaforth
