About Steam & Magic Studio

My Story

I started Steam & Magic Studio as a way to bring together everything I’ve learned—from timber science to stage design, from European craft to Australian living.

I formally trained in Timber Technology and Wood Science at a university, but my relationship with wood began much earlier. Growing up in Central Europe, learning the craft firsthand from my father—a master carpenter and bookbinder—who taught me to respect materials, work with care, and trust my hands. That’s where I first discovered the quiet, expressive nature of timber: how it moves, ages, and responds when treated with skill and patience.

After graduating, I worked as a production engineer in large-scale sawmills across Ireland and Scotland, gaining hands-on experience in how timber is processed, graded, and used at scale. The role required both technical skill and adaptability, as I moved between facilities and learned to optimise production for different needs, climates, and applications.

Later, I built a career in Sweden as a builder, working on some really old houses, learning precision, restraint, and the quiet beauty of good joinery. I also spent time working in film and theatre production, where I honed a deep respect for how space, structure, and story can shape how we feel in a room.

When I moved to Australia, I was struck by how different the homes—and the challenges—were. The climate, the building styles, the way Australians live in their homes. But I could also see opportunities: to blend European design thinking and craftsmanship with the needs of modern Australian households.

Steam & Magic Studio was born out of that insight.