THE smell of warm wood and a friendly wave through a glass window waits when first walking though the door of the John Streater Fine Furniture gallery.
The gallery came into inception in 1981 when John and his wife Pam purchased the property in Quindalup.
Although it was abandoned as a workshop when Streater took up residence on Caves Road for six years, they have finally returned to their original home.
With the renewed outlook on their studio, refurbishments have allowed an organic gallery to wrap around Streater’s workshop.
Windows have been implemented internally throughout the gallery to allow every element of his work to be on display, from the process to the final product.
Internationally recognised for his artistic endeavours, Streater has been in the arts community for more than 33 years, with the gallery itself turning 19 this year.
With work in five continents and invitations to visit his pieces in their newfound homes throughout, the world is Streater’s oyster.
Yet it is his passion for home which will see him remain a South West resident through out his days.
All three of his children were born and raised in Busselton with Streater endearingly calling his current home in Yallingup a place of love.
“My son is a carpenter and I’d like to leave a legacy for him,” Streater said.
For Streater, the cultural landscape anchors him to the South West.
From the quality of the wood, the reach and inspiration that flourishes within the arts community and the explosion of cultural enhancements, everything leaves an artistic impact.
“We had some clients from Canada who were stunned by this area,” Streater said.
“That’s the experience you hope people leave with, that enthusiasm for the area so they come back again.”
A passion for the environment he surrounds himself with fuels Streater in his ambitious endeavours.
“I’m more passionate today than I ever have been in my entire career,” Streater said.
“If you have a dream, that’s what you set out to do; I’ll never give up.”
It is Streater’s pursuit of happiness ethos that leads him to continue to design and create with the ongoing support of his wife Pam, which he said he could never have done without her.
In terms of calling it a day, the finish line is a long way off yet.
“I will never retire, never.” Streater said.
