Services offered by MP Woodworks

What we make:

• Pantry and closet systems that make sense for how you actually live.
• Custom built-in shelving and bookcases that actually fit your space and your books, or whatever other seven-kinds-of-what-have-you that you are planning for said storage.
• Entertainment centers or credenzas (and the occasional moss-covered, three-handled family gredunza) designed around your equipment, not some generic TV size.
• Window seats with storage that make use of awkward spaces.
• Home office built-ins that organize your work life.
• Mudroom (or clean-room) and entryway storage that handles real family chaos.

That’s not to say we can’t or won’t take on large projects. Of course we will. If it is a good fit for us and you. But, by and large, we like to focus our efforts on smaller scale projects because there’s a real need for it out there for so many people.

If you’re okay with the basic structures, design, and configuration of your current cabinetry but maybe are looking for just new doors in a different style, we can do that. Please note that we do not refinish existing cabinetry, i.e., repainting or refinishing. You’ll need to find another solution if that’s what you’re after. That’s not our specialty.

While I have very strong opinions on the things I like personally with respect to furniture design and cabinetry creation, I’m not interested in pushing a certain aesthetic or design or look on people. I can come up with a design from scratch or you can show me things that are “your style”. I want you to have what you want, not what I think you should have.

What we make:

• Home office furniture that works the way you work. Desks, cabinets, free-standing bookcases.
• Dining tables and table tops sized for your space (or existing base) and built for your family’s life.
• Kitchen tables that can handle homework and holiday meals equally well. 
• Wood tops for counters, bars, islands, or other things
• Coffee tables and accent pieces that complement your home without demanding attention. 
• Benches and seating for entryways, bedrooms, or wherever you need a place to sit. 

Every piece is built with an attention to quality materials and proper joinery that will last. We don’t build things out of cheap man-made materials of dubious origin and quality.

We don’t take shortcuts in the design or creation of our pieces. We don’t subscribe to a philosophy of planned obsolescence in order to keep our shareholders happy with short-term visions of glorious stock prices and ever-increasing shareholder value. (We don’t have any shareholders, by the way. Nor are we a publicly traded multinational conglomerate. It’s just me here.)

Examples of typical small projects: 

• Wooden game boards for chess, checkers, or shuffleboard. 
• Custom boxes for storage, gifts, jewelry, or collections. 
• Cutting boards and kitchen accessories built to handle real cooking. 
• Small, one-off projects that nobody else wants to tackle that are designed and built to fit your vision or the specific purpose.

We also offer, on a case-by-case basis, furniture repair, restoration, or refinishing (not cabinetry) that brings family pieces back to life. Or stolen pieces changed so nobody will know they were stolen. Just kidding. We don’t condone or support larceny, or give aid and comfort to the larcenous. Think: a badly worn or old table top in need of refinishing. A chair with a broken leg. A desk with a missing or broken drawer.

On occasion, we have pre-made pieces of furniture or objects for sale. Make a direct inquiry should there be a listing on the site for a current piece which you have an interest in adding to your home, office, or villa in the south of France.

That depends entirely on the complexity of the project, the materials needed, and our current workload in the shop. Simple pieces might be ready in a few weeks. Complex built-ins, cabinetry, or furniture – or multiple coordinating pieces of furniture – could take several months, or more. We’ll give you realistic timelines upfront should you choose to proceed with a project.

Usually, yes. We can match species, finishes, and construction methods to blend new work with existing pieces, if said species are readily available or they can be mimicked with something close. But it all depends. If you have some antique pieces that were made out of old growth American Chestnut and want something new made out of new growth American Chestnut to go along with them, good luck since the American Chestnut is extinct, mostly. As we all know, though, mostly dead is not all the way dead. There’s still hope. (See Blog). 

Yes, for built-ins and larger furniture pieces, and finish carpentry, of course. Smaller items can often be delivered in person, via carrier, or picked up at the shop, if you are local. Larger pieces can be delivered locally, or shipped, if possible or economical. 

That’s normal. Part of our job is helping you figure out what makes sense for your space, needs, and budget. We can discuss options and approaches until you’re confident we’re in the right direction.