Our story — Meet Leanne
I’ve always loved solving problems, which probably explains why I became an engineer in the first place. I grew up in northern Sydney, tinkering with anything I could get my hands on. If something was broken, I had to pull it apart and figure out how it worked. That curiosity carried me through a decade-long engineering career, but there was always this itch to make things with my hands. I spent most weekends in my shed, building furniture, cooking tools, even jigs for the projects I was working on. It wasn’t until a sandstone platter cracked under the heat of a serving dish that I started thinking about the way materials actually work in a home setting.
Before Hawthorn Wares, I worked as a structural engineer, mostly on projects in the Perth CBD and around regional WA. I loved the precision of the work, but I started to feel like my days were stuck in front of a screen. On the weekends, I’d escape to Bowral, where my partner Peter had moved to take over his family’s property. We’d spend hours at the markets, and I always found myself drawn to the practical, well-made items — things built to last. I remember buying a wool throw at a stall and realising I had no idea where it was milled. It sparked this fascination with how things are really made.
In 2018, I finally decided to see if I could make something better myself. I started small, just experimenting with sandstone from a local quarry and reworking scraps of Australian timber I’d collected over the years. The first batch of serving platters I made had issues. They were too heavy, or the edges chipped too easily in use. I went through dozens of prototypes before landing on a cut that held up and looked good on a table. The idea for Hawthorn Wares came together after a neighbour at Bowral markets asked if they could order six platters for Christmas dinner. That’s when I realised this could be more than a weekend project.
Now, Hawthorn Wares is based out of our workshop in Bowral. I’m still hands-on with every product we make, and nearly all our sourcing is done here in Australia. Our wool throws, for example, are milled in Victoria, and our acacia wood comes from a supplier in Queensland. We’ve grown a small but mighty team, but the focus hasn’t changed: solving the little everyday problems with things that are made to last.
— Thanks for stopping by — Leanne, Leanne Green
Journal
Breaking Down the Eucalyptus Candle Scents
Our eucalyptus candles aren’t just ‘eucalypt’ — they’re a mix of three oils for a subtle, layered scent.
When I started working on the Eucalyptus Scented Soy Candle, I thought, how hard can it be? Use eucalyptus oil, pour wax, job done. Turns out, eucalyptus oil on its own smells a bit medicinal. Not exactly the relaxing vibe most people want in their lounge room.
The final candle uses a mix of three different oils from native Australian eucalypts: Blue Gum, Lemon-scented Gum, and Snow Gum. Blue Gum gives it that classic sharp eucalyptus smell, Lemon-scented adds a bit of brightness, and Snow Gum brings a softer, almost honeyed note. It took about nine test batches to get it balanced.
I source the oils from a distillery in Braidwood. They’ve been operating for over 30 years and know their trees better than I ever could. Fun fact: it takes about 50kg of eucalyptus leaves to make just 1 litre of Blue Gum oil.
If you’ve ever wondered why soy wax, it’s because it burns longer and more evenly. I pour each candle at about 60°C to avoid air pockets, which means no weird tunnelling when you burn it. It’s not flashy, but it works.
The wax, by the way, comes from a family-owned outfit in Victoria. They ship it up in 15kg slabs, which is great for consistency but terrible for my back. Some days I wonder if I’m just running a small logistics business that also happens to make candles.
What Inspired the Kensington Stone Platter
The Kensington Stone Platter started with a problem: cheese knives scraping across glass serving boards.
I love hosting, but one thing that always grated (pun intended) on me was the sound of cheese knives on glass serving boards. You know the sound — horrible. A friend once suggested wood, but I’ve found it stains over time, especially if you’re serving berries or balsamic.
The idea for the Kensington Stone Platter came to me after spotting a piece of slate at a garden centre in Mittagong. Slate isn’t just nice to look at, it’s also dense enough that you don’t get that awful scraping sound, and it doesn’t stain like wood.
The stone we use now comes from a quarry in South Australia. Each slab is cut to size and tested for flatness within 1mm. That might sound excessive, but no one wants a wobbly platter sitting on their table.
One small thing I added was rubber feet underneath. Not only does it stop slipping, but it also protects your table from scratches. It’s one of those details that you don’t notice until it’s missing.
Sometimes people ask if it’s dishwasher safe. Short answer: no. Long answer: slate can absorb water if it’s left submerged for too long, which can cause it to flake. Just give it a wipe with a damp cloth and it’ll last for years.
Why I Still Use a Wool Throw in Summer
It’s January, and I still keep a wool throw on hand for those random cool nights Bowral loves to spring on us.
Summer in Bowral is a bit of a mixed bag. The days are warm and glorious, but the nights can catch you off guard. I’ve learned to keep a Melbourne Wool Throw draped over the arm of the couch for exactly this reason.
Wool, especially Merino, breathes better than most people give it credit for. It keeps you warm when you need it, but it won’t leave you sweating as soon as the temperature swings back up. The blanket itself is woven from Merino wool sourced near Ballarat.
One random fact I love: the Melbourne Wool Throw weighs about 1.2kg. Enough to feel substantial, but not so heavy that it feels like dragging a doona around. I’ve also made sure the edges are double-stitched because fraying drives me mad.
If you’re wondering why it’s called the Melbourne throw, it’s because the pattern — a subtle check — was inspired by the laneways in the CBD. I sketched it out after a weekend trip a couple of years ago.
I’m one of those people who keeps a blanket in the car too, so this one sees a lot of use. Picnics, last-minute star-watching, even the odd trip down to the beach when I forget a towel. Wool’s versatility is underrated.
Caring for Your Acacia Wood Salad Bowl
Wood salad bowls aren’t hard to care for, but there are a couple of mistakes people make that shorten their lifespan.
Acacia wood is tough, but it’s not indestructible. With the Acacia Wood Salad Bowl, I always suggest people give it a bit of TLC now and then. You don’t need to baby it, but you definitely shouldn’t throw it in the dishwasher.
Step one: wash it by hand with warm soapy water as soon as you’re done using it. Don’t leave it sitting around with dressing pooling in the bottom — acids can break down the wood’s finish over time.
Step two: dry it immediately. I know it sounds obvious, but letting water sit on wood is a recipe for warping. I once left an early prototype soaking in the sink while I got distracted. It came out shaped like a potato chip.
Step three: oil it occasionally. I use food-safe mineral oil and apply it with an old tea towel. It stops the wood from drying out and brings back the grain’s natural sheen. Once a month is usually enough.
Lastly, keep it out of direct sunlight when you’re not using it. Acacia is pretty stable, but prolonged UV exposure can bleach it. Not a huge deal, just something to keep in mind if you like your bowl looking as good as it did the day you bought it.
What Testing Looks Like at Hawthorn Wares
Before anything goes into production, it goes through a ridiculous number of tests in my workshop and home.
One thing I’ve learned is that if something can go wrong, it absolutely will. That’s why every product goes through what I jokingly call ‘Leanne-proofing’. It started when I accidentally knocked over a prototype candle and realised the wick wasn’t centred enough to keep burning.
Most testing happens in the workshop, but I always take samples home too. For example, I once used a Kensington Stone Platter as a trivet for a boiling pot, just to see if the heat would crack it (it didn’t).
The Melbourne Wool Throw had to survive repeated washes in cold water. Even though I don’t recommend machine washing, I know someone’s going to do it anyway, so I wanted to make sure it wouldn’t fall apart.
Sometimes the tests are less scientific and more about living with the product. I’ll use the Acacia Wood Salad Bowl for a couple of weeks to see how it holds up to regular use — salads, popcorn, even pasta. If something annoys me, it’s back to square one.
These tests can drag out development, but I’d rather fix problems before something reaches a customer’s hands. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the sort of thing I enjoy: figuring out a problem and then solving it, usually with a cup of tea nearby.
Autumn Evenings, Bowral, and a Proper Cup of Tea
Autumn in Bowral is my favourite season — crisp air, golden light, and the excuse for a proper cup of tea.
Bowral in autumn is pretty hard to beat. The air’s crisp enough that you need a jumper, the trees along Bong Bong Street turn that glorious red and gold, and the afternoons seem to stretch on forever.
It’s also the time of year when I find myself gravitating back to tea. There’s something about wrapping my hands around a mug on a cool evening that just feels right. I usually steep it for about 3 minutes — anything longer and it gets bitter.
When I sit down with a cup of Earl Grey, there’s usually a Melbourne Wool Throw over my legs and either a candle burning or one ready to light. The eucalyptus scent works especially well with the season.
I don’t know about you, but autumn always puts me in a reflective mood. It’s the in-between season, when things slow down just a little before winter kicks in. Perfect for taking stock, or just taking a moment.
Anyway, that’s my evening sorted. If you’ve never visited Bowral in autumn, you’re missing out. Bring a jumper, and maybe a blanket too — even if it’s just one from the car.
Customer reviews
Anna M. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-02-18 — 5/5
Beautiful and practical
I bought the Bamboo Fiber Dinner Set, and it’s both lightweight and durable. It arrived in three days, much quicker than expected!
James T. — Newtown, NSW — 2025-01-04 — 5/5
Perfect winter throw
The Melbourne Wool Throw Blanket is warm and soft. Delivery was seamless, and the packaging kept it in great condition.
Emma L. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-06-30 — 4/5
Lovely candle
The Eucalyptus Scented Soy Candle smells amazing. My only issue was the packaging had a slight dent, but the candle itself was fine.
Liam P. — Manly, NSW — 2025-03-20 — 5/5
Great addition to the kitchen
I’ve been using the Acacia Wood Salad Bowl for all my summer salads. It’s sturdy and cleans up easily.
Sophia K. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-11-12 — 5/5
Stylish and functional
The Kensington Stone Serving Platter is perfect for entertaining. The delivery process was smooth and hassle-free.
Ethan W. — Norwood, SA — 2024-05-05 — 4/5
Good set for everyday use
The Bamboo Fiber Dinner Set is practical and looks great. I wish there were more colour options, but otherwise, very happy.
Olivia S. — St Kilda, VIC — 2024-09-10 — 5/5
Soft and cosy
This throw made my winter so much better. The wool is high-quality, and the size is generous.
Daniel H. — Fremantle, WA — 2024-12-03 — 5/5
Perfect platter for hosting
I ordered the Kensington Stone Serving Platter, and it’s a showstopper. Shipping to WA was surprisingly quick.