Like many women, it was motherhood that proved a turning point for Sydney furniture maker Katie Stafford. After a long career in advertising, where she made TV and radio commercials, it was the birth of her son that gave her pause. “Motherhood certainly puts life into perspective, and I stopped respecting what I was putting out into the world to be honest. I’ve always liked making things, but I wanted more than just a crafty side hustle,” says Katie who subsequently began exploring other options.
![Katie Stafford](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/girl-and-grain-640x480.jpg)
After her husband suggested furniture making as a possible career path, Katie investigated studying and eventually settled on a three-year TAFE course that required a one day per week commitment. She was still working three days a week in advertising and looking after her son one day a week, so it was quite the juggle.
“I hadn’t ever picked up power tools, so it was daunting. Plus, at TAFE, it was a sea of 17-year-old boys and me wondering what on earth I was doing there. But I kept turning up and slowly it started to make sense, and slowly I started to love it.”
After finishing the course, she went on to work for the furniture company Mr & Mrs White and it was at this time that she decided to quit advertising all together. “Working for Mr & Mrs White was a really good training ground, but it was a lot of pressure too as their furniture isn’t cheap,” says Katie who lasted eight months before a company restructure encouraged her to go out on her own. After securing a workshop space in Brookvale, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Katie launched Girl & Grain and has been working on furniture commissions ever since.
![A recent commission](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/girl-and-grain-bondi-commission-640x853.jpg)
Creating only solid timber furniture, mostly in American Oak and American Walnut, Katie’s customers are drawn to her minimalist aesthetic. “I like very soft curves and I like the materials to speak for themselves. I guess I aim for beauty and simplicity but simple doesn’t mean easy – my designs are thoughtful and considered.”
![Girl & Grain](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/girl-and-grain-stool-640x853.jpeg)
An organic extension of the business, Katie recently launched workshops and “make and mingle” classes for women. “Furniture making is very male dominated and I don’t know any other women that do what I do so it’s nice to throw the doors open and welcome women into the space,” says Katie, who has found the experience to be very fulfilling in both a personal and business sense.
![Workshop](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/girl-and-grain-group-640x480.jpg)
“With COVID, everyone is hungry for connection. Women think they’re coming to a woodworking class, but they leave with a connection to themselves and one other. I thought I was just offering woodworking classes too but I’m getting so much out of it.”
![A recent workshop](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/girl-and-grain-class-pic1-640x480.jpg)
![](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/E9-Flux-modular-sofa-man-reading-E9Design.jpg)
New Australian-made environmentally friendly furniture brand
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