Since opening an art gallery last year that includes a display of early cedar furniture, Bob Fredman has been fascinated to see that the furniture strikes a strong chord with nearly all visitors. They unfailingly comment on it being beautiful, and especially take an interest when they find out it is all Australian. Keen to understand more of this phenomenon, here he attempts to provide an explanation. Hence it is not so much an exciting research paper as it is a compendium of facts, observations and thoughts.