The Commission Experience

Every piece of custom furniture and cabinetry from Kirby Custom is an investment in uncompromising quality, designed and built specifically for your space and lifestyle. As a one-man shop, I personally oversee every detail of your project—from the first sketch to the final installation—ensuring a seamless experience and a finished product of heirloom quality.

What you can expect when commissioning a bespoke piece…

Modern veneered cabinetry featuring quarter sawn ash and beaded fronts installed in tiny home with solid walnut top detailing through dovetail joinery.
Modern veneered cabinetry featuring quarter sawn ash and beaded fronts installed in tiny home with solid walnut top detailing through dovetail joinery.
Solid African mahogany chair with tapered turned legs and web seat.
Solid African mahogany chair with tapered turned legs and web seat.

I. Initial Consultation

Great design begins with a conversation. We will start by discussing your vision, the specific needs of your space, and your design aesthetics. Whether you have a fully realized architectural plan or just a rough idea, we will explore the possibilities, discuss budget parameters, and determine if my shop is the right fit for your project.

Plan view of custom woodworking job
Plan view of custom woodworking job
Renderings of custom designed furniture along side cut list on cart in woodshop
Renderings of custom designed furniture along side cut list on cart in woodshop

II.Design & Engineering

Once we align on the project scope, I move into the design phase. I will provide detailed shop drawings and design concepts that translate your vision into a buildable blueprint. During this stage, we refine the proportions, functional hardware, and structural elements. Your feedback is critical here, and the design is only finalized once you are completely thrilled with the direction.

Pair of solid walnut nested end tables
Pair of solid walnut nested end tables

III. Material Selection

The soul of custom woodworking lies in the materials. We will collaborate to select the perfect domestic or exotic hardwoods, veneers, and finishes for your piece.

Mixed lumber for custom furniture selection featured in woodshop with open shop door showing adjacent sycamore tree
Mixed lumber for custom furniture selection featured in woodshop with open shop door showing adjacent sycamore tree
Custom solid hickory dining table with solid red oak carved serving dish featured centerpiece
Custom solid hickory dining table with solid red oak carved serving dish featured centerpiece

With a deep appreciation for sustainable and locally sourced lumber, I hand-select every board for its grain pattern, color, and structural integrity, ensuring the raw materials are as exceptional as the final design.

Furnituremaker selecting rough cut boards for custom commissioned furniture project

With the design approved and materials in hand, the physical work begins in the shop. This is where the advantage of a single-craftsman studio shines. Your project receives my undivided attention.

Utilizing a blend of time-honored traditional joinery and precision modern techniques, I meticulously shape, assemble, and refine your piece.

Woodworker Cutting Solid Hardwood
Woodworker Cutting Solid Hardwood

Photo Credit:@zachdobsonphoto

IV. Craftsmanship & Fabrication

Furnituremaker cutting traditional dovetail joinery in table top apron made of solid walnut
Furnituremaker cutting traditional dovetail joinery in table top apron made of solid walnut
Assembly of coopered solid cherry and maple veneer corner cabinet with beaded solid wood crown detail
Assembly of coopered solid cherry and maple veneer corner cabinet with beaded solid wood crown detail
Applying hand rubbed pil and wax finish to solid walnut
Applying hand rubbed pil and wax finish to solid walnut

V. Finishing

A flawless finish is the hallmark of high-end woodworking. Depending on the project, I apply premium, hand-rubbed oils, durable waxes, or professional-grade cabinet lacquers to protect the wood and elevate its natural beauty. Every surface is sanded and sealed to perfection, both inside and out.

Various pigments and natural oil and wax finish components
Various pigments and natural oil and wax finish components

VI. Delivery & Installation

Delivering custom made solid wood frame to showcase leaded glass mosaic

The final step is bringing the piece into your home. For custom cabinetry and built-ins, I handle the installation personally, ensuring the exact same standard of perfection applied in the workshop translates directly to your walls. For freestanding furniture, I provide white-glove delivery, placing the piece exactly where it belongs and walking you through its care and maintenance.

Custom solid walnut kitchen installation
Custom solid walnut kitchen installation
A man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a white t-shirt, is installing a wooden cabinet door with hinges in a light-colored room. He is using a power drill on the right side of the image, and wood shavings are visible on a towel on the countertop.
A man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a white t-shirt, is installing a wooden cabinet door with hinges in a light-colored room. He is using a power drill on the right side of the image, and wood shavings are visible on a towel on the countertop.
Handcrafted cylindrical Georgian library desk crafted from mahogany veneers and solid African mahogany
Solid walnut side table with red oak drawer and secondary semi conceal document drawer extended

Ready to start a project?

Fill out the project inquiry form to begin the conversation.