Made to Measure

Designed & Made, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based custom woodworking shop founded by Brian Grabski, specializes in cabinetry, architectural woodwork, and original design pieces. The company's name, 'Designed & Made,' signifies its commitment to complete creative ownership, from initial concept to final construction. This philosophy is inspired by artisans who integrate design and making under one roof, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and alignment with the architectural vision of each project. The company maintains a small team of 10 highly skilled employees within its 8,000-square-foot facility. This intentional size allows for agility and exceptional quality control, while still being equipped to manage the demanding schedules of large-scale residential projects. This approach helps prevent overextension, guaranteeing that every project receives dedicated focus. Designed & Made's process emphasizes collaboration and precision, beginning with detailed discussions with architects, designers, or homeowners. The design phase involves development and 3D modeling, where proportions, details, and materials are refined collaboratively. Following approval, all engineering is performed in-house, generating precise shop drawings and CNC-ready files. Fabrication occurs on-site, integrating advanced machinery with traditional handcraftsmanship. Most projects are fully finished and assembled before delivery and installation. The majority of Designed & Made's work involves high-end residential cabinetry and millwork, often encompassing full-home packages. The company also undertakes select commercial projects that align with its values and methodology. Typically, two to three projects are active simultaneously, progressing through a linear workflow of design, engineering, fabrication, finishing, and installation. This structured approach maintains focus on quality and detail. Designed & Made offers end-to-end services, including design consulting, engineering, procurement, fabrication, logistics, and installation, enabling precise execution of complex, architecturally driven projects. The shop is equipped with two Holz-Her 3-axis CNC routers, digital modeling software (Rhino/Grasshopper/F360/Cabinet Vision), advanced spray finishing capabilities, an SCMI edgebander, a Timesavers 3-head widebelt sander, a Weinig moulder, and various other traditional woodworking tools. The company is recognized for its blend of digital fabrication and traditional woodworking, incorporating sculptural shaping, bookmatched veneers, custom joinery, and meticulous hand-finishing. Material selection is a collaborative process, involving the careful sourcing of hardwoods and veneers to ensure consistency in tone, grain, and figure, balancing performance with aesthetic requirements. Designed & Made operates as a sustainable company, utilizing FSC-certified hardwoods, optimizing material yields through digital nesting, and employing low-VOC finishing systems. The company's focus on longevity and quality inherently contributes to its sustainability strategy. Approximately 75 percent of the work involves kitchens, cabinetry, and architectural millwork, with the remaining 25 percent dedicated to specialty furniture and sculptural commissions. These unique pieces allow the team to explore innovative forms, materials, and processes, showcasing the company's capabilities at the intersection of architecture, design, and craftsmanship. A notable example of the company's capabilities is a custom pool table, displayed in their showroom. This "passion project" demonstrates Designed & Made's comprehensive skills in high-end design, digital modeling, machining, handcraftsmanship, and finishing. The pool table, inspired by a vintage Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. table, involved extensive 3D modeling and engineering by Brian Grabski and Duncan MacLeslie. Intricate details, such as genuine ivory inlays and hand-selected mahogany veneer, highlight the team's precision and artistic skill. Adrian Bileydi-Lee executed the veneering and ivory inlay, while Paul Perrone applied a custom, hand-rubbed finish. Andy Fleischhacker, the production foreman, oversaw the entire project. This collaborative effort exemplifies the company's belief that the combined skills of multiple craftsmen can produce results greater than the sum of individual contributions. Brian Grabski's woodworking journey began in high school, influenced by a shop teacher and an inspiring experience at Classic Woodworks. His entrepreneurial father further shaped his path, leading him to establish Designed & Made in 2005. Grabski was recognized as a Wood Industry 40 Under 40 in 2016 and continues to contribute to the industry by serving on the Board of Directors for the Saint Paul College Woodworking Program, offering curriculum feedback and shop tours to students. #CustomWoodworking #Cabinetry #ArchitecturalMillwork #ResidentialDesign #Craftsmanship #CNCMachining #SustainablePractices #FurnitureDesign #DesignBuild #InteriorDesign

The article details the renovation of a 3,000-square-foot home in Providence Plantation, undertaken by Andrea and Brian Seymour, co-founders of Springdale Custom Builders. The project, which began in February 2022 and lasted seven months, involved modernizing the layout and updating the decor of a 1980s home for Rob and Anne Ward. A key challenge was reconciling the homeowners' distinct design preferences: Anne desired a maximalist, Julia Child-inspired kitchen with visible tools and gadgets, while Rob preferred a modernist, European aesthetic characterized by clean lines and squared edges. To achieve this compromise, the Seymours simplified the cabinetry to meet Rob's modernist vision while incorporating elements for Anne's maximalist style, such as pegboards for displaying kitchen items. The renovation expanded and overhauled the kitchen, updated the laundry room, and added a scullery and a porch. Maintaining the existing architectural integrity was crucial, requiring matching siding, trim details, soffits, and consistent flooring throughout the house to ensure the additions blended seamlessly with the original structure. The newly added scullery, approximately 200 square feet, featured custom charcoal paint with brown undertones on the walls and shelving. A 3-by-6-inch ceramic tile backsplash in a standard subway pattern with black grout, inspired by the London Tube, was installed. Industrial pipe shelves were used to allow Anne to display her extensive collection of containers, cookbooks, and appliances, which she considered part of her decor. In the laundry room, quartz countertops were chosen to match those in the kitchen. For a touch of individuality, patterned ceramic floor tiles were selected, designed not to clash with the view from other areas of the house. Brushed brass knobs were installed on the cabinets, complemented by a matte black faucet for the sink. Andrea Seymour emphasized the importance of intentional mixing of finishes and meticulous attention to detail, highlighting that even small elements like the precise shade of brushed gold can significantly impact the overall design. The project culminated in October 2022, with the homeowners expressing extreme satisfaction with their transformed home. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #KitchenRemodel #ModernistDesign #MaximalistStyle #CustomBuilders #CharlotteHomes #DesignCompromise #SculleryDesign

Lahoma, a California-based furniture company, leverages parametric modeling within Autodesk's Fusion 360 to produce its custom, designer furniture line. The company's owner and director, Trent Still, highlights that their process allows for highly customizable, on-demand furniture creation, similar to ordering a customized hamburger. Despite the intricate digital recipe, the resulting heirloom-quality tables and chairs, crafted from solid wood and machined brass, belie the underlying mathematical complexity. Parametric design is central to Lahoma's operations, enabling automatic adjustments to core pieces based on individual customer preferences. Still emphasizes Fusion 360's role in democratizing manufacturing, allowing for significant customization without compromising structural integrity or aesthetic appeal. For instance, dimensions of their Cove collection can be altered in thousands of ways, with the software automatically generating the necessary supports and hardware. This interconnected design approach ensures that any change in one dimension is appropriately linked to other relevant design elements. Lahoma's strategy involves producing affordable, customizable, flat-pack furniture using premium materials, carving a distinct niche in a competitive market. They cater to customers seeking durable designer furniture without the exorbitant costs associated with traditional bespoke pieces or the often uninspired look of mass-produced items. This market segment has been traditionally challenging for furniture makers, as scaling the talent and craftsmanship of local woodworkers to meet broad demand while keeping prices low is difficult. Lahoma overcomes this by employing advanced tools and automation strategies typically reserved for larger enterprises. Still refers to this as consumer-driven manufacturing, underscoring the increasing attainability of mass customization. While each piece of Lahoma's furniture undergoes a hand-finished process, a significant portion of the fabrication is automated. Still credits Fusion 360 as foundational to their business, not only for its potential in areas like ECAD and simulation but primarily for its robust design and modeling capabilities and seamless interoperability with manufacturing processes. He also refutes the idea that automation compromises product quality, asserting that achieving a machine-fabricated part with a surface ready for finishing requires considerable effort, skill, and process understanding. This meticulous preparation and attention to process grant Lahoma a significant advantage, allowing for a scalable manufacturing model that many competitors cannot match. Still takes pride in the fact that Fusion 360's automation allows him to produce high-quality furniture at prices more accessible than those of established designer brands. The success of Lahoma's model suggests a potential paradigm shift for designers and fabricators across various industries. The application of Fusion 360's parametric modeling and API could enable similar customer-driven customizations for a diverse range of products. The possibility of small, agile studios like Lahoma spearheading a renaissance in domestic, custom manufacturing at competitive prices presents an exciting vision for a more personalized future, empowered by intelligent tools and innovative approaches. #ParametricModeling #CustomFurniture #DigitalFabrication #Fusion360 #FurnitureDesign #MassCustomization #ManufacturingAutomation #SmallBusinessInnovation #ProductDesign

Axos Designs, a New York-based millwork shop, has established itself as a leading provider of custom architectural woodwork, cabinetry, and interior detailing for high-end residential and commercial projects across New York City. The company, originally a small family business, has been transformed by Chris Yerolemou, a former investment banker and the son of the founder, into a thriving operation recognized for its commitment to quality and ability to meet the demands of a competitive market. Axos Designs is particularly known for manufacturing 100% of its products in the United States, a core value emphasized by Yerolemou. The firm's portfolio includes collaborations with luxury brands and establishments such as Aime Leon Dore, Kith Ivy, Giorgio Armani, Casa Cipriani, Avra Hudson Yards, and Marquee New York. These projects span a diverse range, from custom shelves and wall paneling for retail spaces to intricate interiors for upscale restaurants and residential kitchens, like an oak veneer wall for a Southampton, NY kitchen. This versatility highlights Axos Designs' capability to cater to various high-end design requirements. The company's success is attributed to its unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technological integration. While skilled artisans apply finishing touches, Axos Designs also incorporates state-of-the-art machinery, such as Altendorf table saws, into its production process. This dual approach ensures both precision and the personalized care characteristic of bespoke woodwork. Yerolemou, leveraging his background in tech and finance, has made strategic investments in advanced equipment and project management systems, enabling the company to deliver projects on time and to exact specifications. Axos Designs has experienced significant growth under Yerolemou's leadership. The company is set to triple its current operational space, expanding to 40,000 square feet across two shops in Queens. This expansion includes integrating new machinery, increasing its workforce, and adopting the latest AI technology. The number of employees has grown from approximately 10 when Yerolemou took over to nearly 60, reflecting the increased demand for their services. Despite this rapid expansion, Yerolemou asserts that the company remains true to its foundational values of integrity, consistency, and excellence, ensuring that every project reflects the high standards set by his father. The firm's reputation for reliability and superior quality has garnered the trust of prominent design professionals throughout New York City. Axos Designs is currently in such high demand that it is acquiring an additional 30,000-square-foot factory to further accommodate its growth. The company's ongoing success demonstrates that in a fast-paced urban environment like New York City, there is still a significant appreciation for meticulous craftsmanship and a dedication to quality. #Millwork #CustomWoodwork #ArchitecturalMillwork #Cabinetry #InteriorDesign #NewYorkCity #LuxuryDesign #Craftsmanship #Manufacturing

Replacing old kitchen countertops can be an exciting home improvement project, but it requires careful measurement and planning to ensure a perfect fit and to avoid costly mistakes. Standard kitchen countertops are typically 25 to 25.5 inches deep, which accounts for a slight overhang beyond the standard 24-inch-deep base cabinets. The standard height for countertops, measured from the finished floor to the top surface, is approximately 36 inches. Countertop lengths can vary significantly, ranging from six feet in smaller kitchens to 12 feet in larger spaces, offering additional workspace and potential seating areas. The overall dimensions and design, whether straight, U-shaped, or L-shaped, are dictated by the kitchen's layout and the chosen materials. When planning for replacement countertops, it is crucial to measure each section's length and width meticulously. Since walls and cabinets may not be perfectly square, measuring all sides is recommended to prevent crooked installations. Sketching the kitchen layout and noting the positions of appliances, including the sink and stove, is also beneficial. In corner configurations, a 24-inch overlap, corresponding to the cabinet depth, should be factored in. If a backsplash is desired, its length and a recommended height of four inches or more should be included in the measurements. An overhang of one to 1.5 inches is typically added to the front and any exposed sides not against a wall. To calculate the total square footage, multiply the length by the width to get square inches, then divide by 144. It is advisable to add an extra 10% to the total square footage to account for cutting waste and potential errors. Several common measuring mistakes can lead to problems. Uneven construction, particularly in older homes with non-square walls or gaps between cabinets, must be addressed by measuring diagonally or using a straight edge to check for inconsistencies. Forgetting to incorporate an adequate overhang can result in cramped seating and limited prep space; a 12-to-15-inch overhang is generally recommended for seating, though longer overhangs may require brackets for support. Backsplashes must be measured separately to avoid uneven gaps or installation difficulties. Skipping precise measurements for sink and stove cutouts can lead to significant issues during installation, as can neglecting to measure appliance widths for proper clearance. It is best to measure in inches for accuracy and convert to square feet later. Finally, when determining countertop height, measure from the finished floor to the top of the counter, accounting for any differences in material thickness if changing countertop types. The cost of countertop installation varies widely based on material. Budget-friendly options like laminate or tile range from $10 to $40 per square foot. Mid-range materials such as butcher block, quartz, or granite typically cost between $50 and $100 per square foot. High-end choices like premium marble, quartzite, or exotic stones can run from $120 to $250 per square foot. These prices generally do not include taxes, and additional costs, such as approximately $150 per cutout for sinks or cooktops, should also be anticipated. #KitchenDesign #CountertopMeasurement #HomeImprovement #DIYKitchen #InteriorDesign #KitchenRenovation #StandardDimensions #HomeMaintenance #MeasuringGuide