Meet Kate Duncan: Bold Design, Master Craftsmanship

With a deep respect for craft and a fearless eye for design, Toronto-based furniture maker Kate Duncan has been shaping wood into bold, sculptural pieces for over three decades. What began at age 12 as a personal passion has evolved into a career defined by precision, experimentation, and a signature aesthetic that blends solid wood with unexpected materials like bronze, leather, and stone. In this feature, Kate shares her inspiriation, her thoughts on mixing wood species, and what’s got her most excited in the studio this year.

Kate Duncan, Furniture Maker, Toronto

What do you specialize in?

My name is Kate Duncan, and I’m a furniture maker based in Toronto. I specialize in solid wood furniture—dining tables, dressers, nightstands, credenzas. Incorporating materials like bronze, brass, leather, and stone. I’ve been making furniture since I was 12 years old—so for about 30 years now.

As a woodworker, where do you get your inspiration from?

All over the place! I draw inspiration from architecture, ballet, drag, and food—anything that I find compelling or beautifully crafted.

 

Wood coffee table inside of a woodworking shop with wood chisels in front of it. Wood table finished with Osmo Polyx®-Oil 3044 Raw
Kaareva coffee table design by Hutch Custom. Wood table finished with Osmo Polyx®-Oil 3044 Raw

What are you the most excited about this year?

I’m working on a brand-new dining chair design, which is exciting since I haven’t designed one in over a decade. I also have a big installation project coming up in Los Angeles later this year, coming up in August/September and I’ll be spending a month there collaborating with a couple of friends. That’s going to be a lot of fun!

Do you have any advice for someone looking to enter your field?

Don’t do it!! Just kidding. If you’re really new at it, I’d probably say that you don’t know what you don’t know yet, and there is a lot to know. I would say to go work for somebody doing similar work to what you want to be doing. Go work for them for a few years and learn as much as you can from an expert. 

The Tanya Table

Shown here in solid walnut, sapele and cherry with a double pedestal base.
The Tanya table plate setting.
The Tanya Table is finished with Osmo Polyx Oil
Kate Duncan, The Tanya Table
The cooper stool is a unique piece that blends different wood types.

We’ve asked you to share a piece that is finished with Osmo, can you tell us about The Cooper Stool?

This particular piece is part of a new body of work I’ve been playing with. It features jigsaw puzzle-like components that come together with repeating curves and angles. What makes it special is that I’ve started mixing wood species—something new for me. This one uses white oak, Ambrosia maple, and cherry. It’s been an exciting challenge, especially in managing wood movement due to the intricate construction.

What would you like to ask our audience? 

Yes! What’s your favourite woodworking tool? I love tools—and I’d love to know what everyone else is using.

What is YOUR favourite wood working tool? 

My set of chisels.

The Adela Credenza

The Adela Credenza

What is your favourite Osmo product?

I love the Polyx®-Oil. I find it’s just a really beautiful product, it’s consistent, I love the sheen and how it looks on the wood. I find it really elegant and it draws out the natural beauty of the wood. I also find it really durable too. Before I was introduced to Polyx®-Oil I used a post-cat lacquer, so I’m used to that level of durability. I find the Polyx®-Oil is more beautiful and just as durable as the lacquer. It’s also easier to apply, I don’t need to send it out to a spray booth and I can do it in-house.

“My favourite product is the Osmo Polyx®-Oil, it’s my go-to, I put it on everything.”

– Kate Duncan

About our Hardwax Oil

Polyx®–Oil High Solid is a high quality natural oil and wax based Hardwax-Oil wood finish. Polyx®-Oil’s clear coat finish was developed for hardwood floors, furniture and other interior woodwork. The product can be easily applied with a cloth, brush, roller or single disc floor buffer. This diverse hardwax oil is suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms exposed to high humidity. Safe for kids and pets, Polyx®-oil is the ultimate wood finish for your next DIY project or home renovation.

Read more about Polyx®-Oil

Polyx®-Oil 3043 Satin

Kate Duncan Design

Where can people find you?

You can find me on Instagram @kateduncandesign

Kate Duncan Website: https://kateduncan.ca/

Kate Duncan furniture designer says her go-to wood finish is Osmo Polyx Oil
Brass knobs on Kate Duncan's Adela Credenza. Professional furniture design
Soft and sculptural woodworking design, The adela credenza, Shown here in ink stained sapele, travertine stone and brass pulls.
Professional furniture made by Kate Duncan, finished with what Kate dubs the best wood stain, Osmo Polyx Hard wax Oil
Dovetailed door features on the adela nighstand.
The Adela Nightstand, washed ambrosia maple and vegan tanned leather.
The betty side board finished with a light Wood finish that leaves wood looking raw
The Lorraine Credenza, sapele and bone lacquer with bronze legs. Finished with osmo hardwax oil
Professional furniture finished with Osmo hard wax oil
Wood chisel details by designer Kate Duncan
The Marilyn Table, ink stained walnut. Finished with Osmo Oil.
Kate Duncan furniture designer says her go-to wood finish is Osmo Polyx Oil
The Orize Bed, Shown here in pearl washed white oak with fluted headboard.
The Orize Bed, by professional furniture designer Kate Duncan, finished with Osmo Polyx - a natural wood stain leaving the wood looking like it's natural colour
Hand carved and cast, the betty sideboard is made with peral washed ambrosia maple

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