{"id":2565,"date":"2016-07-21T14:45:17","date_gmt":"2016-07-21T04:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handkrafted.com/blog\/?p=2565"},"modified":"2021-01-03T23:51:42","modified_gmt":"2021-01-03T12:51:42","slug":"meet-porktown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handkrafted.com/blog\/meet-porktown\/","title":{"rendered":"Porktown MFG"},"content":{"rendered":"

Melbourne maker, Matt Ropiha, has just launched Porktown MFG\u00a0with an exquisite collection of beautiful and affordable timber and steel custom\u00a0furniture.\u00a0We spoke with Matt to learn more about\u00a0his path, influences and what’s behind the name of his new brand.<\/em><\/p>\n

UPDATE 2019: Matt has subsequently left Australia to return to his NZ homeland and as a result, his Handkrafted profile and beautiful designs are no longer available here and links from this story have been removed.\u00a0 We wish him all the best on his next adventures.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After\u00a0working for many years in commercial trades and construction, Matt Ropiha\u00a0decided to pursue his creative ambitions and start\u00a0his own bespoke furniture business.\u00a0Based out of his workshop in Preston in\u00a0Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs, Matt has launched Porktown MFG with a beautiful collection of steel and timber furniture\u00a0designs that\u00a0are fully customisable and handmade-to-order.<\/p>\n

With a name like Porktown MFG, we knew we needed to speak first-hand to Matt and learn more about his path and purpose – and we’re so pleased\u00a0to share his story\u00a0with you…<\/p>\n

\"Matt\"1931Art Deco\u00a0<\/em>\u20181931\u2019 table, starting from $1,750<\/em><\/p>\n

What path led you to where you are now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I started building furniture when my wife & I bought our first home around 5 years ago and wanted nice furniture but didn’t want to pay premium prices. With my background working in trades, I knew I could build pieces of equal quality myself, so I did and this led to friends, and then friends of friends wanting affordable custom pieces too. 18 months ago, just before the birth of my son, I decided to make the overdue change and start my own business.<\/p>\n

\"BlackBlack Metal Dining Table, starting from $1,300<\/em><\/p>\n

Can you tell us a little more about your business name?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I run the business from my home workshop, located in Melbourne’s most historically bacony suburb (location of first bacon factory in Victoria), Preston, aka Porktown, as it was known in the middle of the 19th century. It’s also a tip of the hat to my almost thirty years of skateboarding and skateboarding’s Dogtown era.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Heavy Metal Bench, starting at $1,200<\/em><\/p>\n

How would you describe your aesthetic? Who or what influences your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am influenced mainly by mid century design, focusing on solid, simple, clean lines, combining reclaimed timbers & mild steel to compliment each other.<\/p>\n

What’s your furniture philosophy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’m trying to build affordable, quality pieces. Sustainable timber and the use of natural timber finishes are important to me, as is customer input to ensure they are 100% satisfied with their purchase.<\/p>\n

\"SteelThe Butler Side Table, starting from $280<\/em><\/p>\n

\"TruantThe Truant Desk<\/em>, starting at $1,100<\/em><\/p>\n

What part of the creative process do you most enjoy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think the most enjoyable part of the creative process for me is progression in my work, trying to learn new things and refine and improve what I’m already doing.<\/p>\n

\"Matt<\/em>Matt and his son Otis in the workshop (image by Robert Wiltshire)<\/em><\/p>\n

Product\u00a0photography by Annette O’Brien<\/p>\n

\n

About Handkrafted:<\/em><\/p>\n

Handkrafted<\/em><\/a> <\/em>is a community marketplace connecting people with passionate makers to commission custom goods. We have brought together hundreds of Australian independent, bespoke craftspeople and artisans who specialise in producing high quality, sustainably made pieces.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our makers can help you realise your own idea or collaborate with you on a new design. Many also feature a range of original designs that can be made to order or customised to suit your specific needs. Whichever option you choose, we\u2019re here to help make it happen. Support local makers and <\/em>kick-start<\/em><\/a><\/em> your own project today. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Sign up<\/a> for our newsletter to receive all of the\u00a0latest updates\u2026 and a bit of fun.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Melbourne maker, Matt Ropiha, has just launched Porktown MFG\u00a0with an exquisite collection of beautiful and affordable timber and steel…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2556,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-meet-the-maker"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t