It all started with a tiny chair from 1933, hand-crafted by William John David Todd for his son, which inspired Tiny Acorn.
Based in Nottingham Road from the end of September 2023, Tiny Acorn is owned by Tammaryn McCathie, Todd’s great-granddaughter, who continues the legacy today by crafting only quality pieces for little ones, who can eventually pass them on through their families.
Since the end of September 2023, Tammaryn McCathie, Todd’s great-granddaughter, continues the legacy today by crafting only quality pieces for little ones, who can eventually pass them on through their families. She fondly remembers the chair when she visited her grandparents’ home. She would sit on it and enjoy her meals and TV shows as a little girl, “When my grandparents passed away, my mom placed the chair in our living room, where it was then used by my nephews. Despite having grown up, I found myself sitting on it frequently because of its enduring comfort,” she recalled. The name “Tiny Acorn” comes from a necklace with a tiny silver acorn pendant Tammaryn used to wear, which held sentimental value to her, and also came to symbolise the tiny hearts that inspired her to create the brand. Her mom later discovered a picture of her great-grandfather and noticed that the frame was intricately carved with tiny acorns. “This serves as a beautiful reminder that our ancestors are forever etched into our lives, often without our awareness,” shared Tammaryn.
The first piece, the Learning Tower, was sold to a customer in Cape Town, which Tammaryn designed as a more secure alternative to a model she purchased several years prior that proved to be less sturdy. A part of what makes the Tiny Acorn pieces stand out is their functionality, perfectly suited to accommodate children’s natural comings and goings at home. “All the other items were designed around the needs I had at home that would help with day-to-day activities and help my little ones with self-assistance, comfort, and independence,” Tammaryn shared.
While it’s not only about functionality, aesthetics also play a part, for example, one of the standout Tiny Acorn pieces is the Table and Chairs set, which consists of a square table and four high-back chairs. It serves several purposes, from encouraging healthy eating habits to enjoying creative craft time, and more importantly, cultivating shared family experiences as parents can easily interact with their little ones around the table. Furthermore, it has become one of the most utilised items on the product list and one that even Tammaryn and her family adores, “We find ourselves sitting with the kids enjoying meals with them all the time, and you will see my father-in-law on a chair every time he visits us,” she shared. Other pieces include a Toy Box, Pull Cart, Swing, and Steps for when the little one needs an added boost around the house. All the pieces are crafted from locally sourced poplar wood planks, which are characterised by their lightweight nature and light colour, and manufactured on Tammaryn’s farm. The end products are coated with a Woodoc Water-Borne sealer leaving a non-yellowing finish. The items are easy to clean and will suit almost any interior décor style.
Tammaryn plans to expand Tiny Acorn with an emphasis on her existing items and those with a proven record of functionality and practicality for other families, an approach she believes will build a strong foundation based on quality and reliability. While she also doesn’t offer custom units, she has an exciting project up her sleeve and shared with us about the dollhouse she constructed for her daughter as a Christmas gift, “Seeing the delight and engagement that this handmade gift has brought to my daughter has inspired me to consider adding it to my product line, spreading the joy to other families who may benefit from such a cherished toy,” she explained.
Our childhood memories can leave lasting impacts on us that we carry into adulthood. Some can also plant powerful seeds of inspiration and when left to grow, become lasting legacies. This is at the heart of Tiny Acorn, it’s not just a business, but a commitment to timelessness; creating quality handcrafted furniture and a cherished heritage.
Photo Credit: Kristi Nicole Smith Photography