Designing Your Dream Kitchen: Should You Choose Custom Cabinetry?

At Hearth & Grain Woodworks, I know that designing a new kitchen is one of the most exciting—and overwhelming—home improvement projects you can take on. Whether you’re building your forever home in Saline County or remodeling an older space in the heart of Little Rock, your kitchen is more than just cabinets and countertops. It’s where your family gathers, where stories unfold, and where the beauty of your home is most lived-in.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make early in the process is whether or not to invest in custom cabinetry. Here’s a guide to help you think through your options, and decide what’s right for your space, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Step 1: Define Your Goals for the Kitchen

Before you get lost in Pinterest boards and paint swatches, ask yourself:

• Are you trying to maximize storage in a small footprint?

• Do you want the kitchen to feel modern, rustic, transitional, or timeless?

• Are you designing around a unique floor plan, odd ceiling heights, or other architectural quirks?

• Do you want cabinetry that will last 30+ years—or are you updating a home you may sell soon?

Your answers to these questions will help determine whether custom, semi-custom, or stock cabinetry makes the most sense.

What Is Custom Cabinetry—And Why Does It Matter?

Custom cabinetry means your cabinets are built from scratch—for your exact kitchen dimensions, layout, and style preferences. Unlike stock or semi-custom options, every detail is tailored: the wood species, the joinery, the finishes, even the interior layout.

At Hearth & Grain, I design and build every custom piece in-house using solid hardwoods, traditional techniques, and a commitment to heirloom quality.

When Custom Cabinets Are Worth the Investment

Custom cabinets might be the right fit if:

• You have a non-standard space. Older homes, new builds with open concepts, or anything with sloped ceilings or exposed beams can benefit from custom sizing and creative storage solutions.

• You’re prioritizing craftsmanship and longevity. Our cabinets are designed to last decades—and be refinished, not replaced.

• You want something truly personal. From spice drawers to hidden appliance garages, everything is built around the way you live and cook.

• You’re designing your “forever” kitchen. This is about more than looks. It’s about functionality, durability, and pride.

When You Might Choose Semi-Custom or Stock

I’m always upfront and honest about this: custom isn’t for everyone. If you’re flipping a home, on a tight timeline, or simply don’t need built-from-scratch solutions, there are high-quality semi-custom lines I can help you source. In fact, I’m proud to be a dealer for a few trusted brands that offer excellent performance at a lower price point.

How to Think About Budget

Here’s a general rule of thumb:

• Stock cabinetry is usually the most affordable but the least flexible.

• Semi-custom cabinetry adds some flexibility (like more finish options or minor dimension changes).

• Custom cabinetry is the most expensive up front—but often saves you from costly compromises or repairs later on.

I’ll help you weigh each option based on what actually matters to you.

Our Process: What It’s Like to Work With Hearth & Grain

I’ll guide you through:

1. Initial consultation – In-person or virtual, focused on your needs, style, and budget.

2. Design & layout planning – I model the cabinetry within your kitchen dimensions.

3. Material selection – You’ll see and feel the difference in our curated selection of hardwoods and finishes.

4. Build & install – All built in my workshop, then installed with care and precision.

5. Follow-up & care – I’m here long after the install, whether you need touch-ups or just have questions.

Built for Arkansas Homes. Built for Life.

As a family-run business now rooted in Alexander, Arkansas, I believe in building things that last. I’ll work with homeowners from all over Central Arkansas—including Little Rock, Benton, Bryant, and Conway—who want something more than off-the-shelf. If you’re dreaming of a kitchen that reflects your values and your style, let’s talk.

Whether you choose custom cabinetry or not, my job is to help you make the right decision—and love your kitchen for years to come.

Ready to explore your options?

Reach out today to schedule a consultation. I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.

Breathing New Life into Wood: From Antique Wardrobes to Hand-Turned Bowls

When people think of cabinetry, they usually imagine squares and rectangles. But woodworking has always been more than just straight lines for me.

In this photo, you see an antique wardrobe originally built in 1917. I upcycled and refinished it, adding full-extension pullout shelves so it functions as an open-faced pantry or display piece with vintage charm. Its carved crest and flowing plants make it feel at home in both modern and traditional spaces.

The bowls on the shelves tell a different part of my story. Each one I turned by hand, often using wood from trees that were already coming down or that fell in a storm. Instead of being discarded, that wood gets a second life, transformed into something both useful and beautiful. Every bowl carries the memory of the tree, its grain guiding the curve of the form.

Where my cabinet work leans on clean lines and classical proportions, turning bowls lets me explore movement and flow. Instead of the golden ratio guiding a frame, the curve of a bowl is dictated by the natural sweep of the grain. I try to shape pieces so the form feels inevitable, as if the tree had always meant to reveal that contour. It’s a balance of restraint and expression—removing just enough material to let the wood speak without overpowering it.

It’s not just about building furniture—it’s about honoring the material, celebrating its quirks, and giving forgotten or fallen wood a new purpose.

Handcrafted Cherry Midcentury Modern Bed Frame – Custom Furniture

I recently finished building one of my favorite projects yet—a handcrafted solid cherry midcentury modern bed frame, designed and built right here in my one-man woodworking shop at Hearth & Grain Woodworks. This custom bed frame blends timeless craftsmanship with modern design, featuring tapered posts, golden ratio proportions, and a headboard made entirely from solid cherry. Unlike mass-produced furniture, there’s no plywood or artificial wood veneer anywhere—just heirloom-quality hardwood, carefully milled, shaped, and finished to highlight the natural character and figure of the grain.

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking rough hardwood boards and shaping them into a piece that will be part of someone’s home for decades. This solid cherry bed frame is one of those projects that reminded me why I love designing and creating custom furniture.

When I started, I spent hours selecting each board by hand—looking for the perfect figure, the warmest tones, and the most beautiful grain patterns. Cherry has so much character, from subtle waves to bold curly grain, and I wanted every part of this frame to show that off. The headboard is solid cherry—no plywood or veneer—because I believe in building furniture that’s meant to last.

Designing with Purpose

I’ve always been drawn to clean, timeless lines, so I designed the tapered posts using the golden ratio. It’s a subtle detail that most people won’t consciously notice, but it’s part of what makes the frame feel so balanced and natural. Every angle and curve has a purpose. I also added a beveled edge—not for showiness, but because it catches the light in a way that brings the wood to life, highlighting the depth and movement of the grain. These design choices are the small decisions that separate custom, handcrafted furniture from anything you’ll find mass-produced.

The Beauty of Cherry

Cherry changes over time, developing a rich patina that tells the story of its years in your home. On this bed, the curly grain shifts as you move around the room, and the hand-applied garnet-toned finish enhances every ripple and highlight. I don’t rush this step—the finish is built up carefully, layer by layer, to protect the wood and let its natural beauty shine.

Why I Build the Way I Do

When I design a piece like this, I’m not just building furniture—I’m creating something that will be part of your daily life. I want it to feel as good to use as it is to look at. That means solid hardwood construction, traditional joinery, and careful attention to every proportion and curve.

For me, custom furniture is about more than making something that fits a space. It’s about making something that fits a life. Whether I’m building a bed frame, custom cabinets, a set of built-ins, or a single statement piece, my goal is always the same: to create something beautiful, functional, and truly yours.

If you’re looking for handcrafted solid wood furniture—whether midcentury modern, contemporary, or traditional—I’d love to hear your ideas. Every project starts with a conversation, and I can’t wait to design something that’s just right for you.