Business Details
27 Years
experience
Custom Plywood Cabinets in Seattle, WA
Founded in 1999, Kerf Design is a Seattle-based team of designers and craftspeople dedicated to creating custom plywood cabinets that blend functionality with artistic integrity. Our philosophy centers on honesty in craftsmanship, purposeful artistry, and meticulous attention to detail. Specializing in bespoke solutions since 1999, we combine modern design principles with traditional techniques to produce cabinets that are both practical and visually striking. Our process begins with understanding client needs through detailed consultations, followed by 3D modeling and collaborative design refinement.With decades of collective experience, we prioritize simplicity and transparency in every project, ensuring our work meets the highest standards of quality and innovation. From initial concept to final installation, we remain committed to delivering tailored solutions that enhance living spaces while maintaining our core values of utility, beauty, and craftsmanship.
Services
Custom Plywood Cabinets
Kitchen Tours
Bathroom Vanities
Custom One-Offs
Kerf Wall Design
Storage Solutions
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We have developed custom plywood cabinet designs since 1999
- Our team combines artistic investigation with functional construction
- We use 3D modeling to refine designs before production
- We offer tailored solutions for unique storage requirements
- Our process emphasizes transparency and client collaboration
Services
Custom Plywood Cabinets
We design and build made-to-order plywood cabinets tailored to specific spatial and aesthetic requirements. Our process involves dimensional analysis, 3D modeling, and collaborative design refinement to create functional storage solutions that integrate seamlessly with architectural environments while maintaining our signature style.
Kitchen Tours
We offer guided tours of completed kitchen installations to demonstrate our craftsmanship and design approach. These visits allow potential clients to experience firsthand how our cabinets function in real-world settings, providing inspiration and practical insights into storage configurations, material choices, and installation quality across various home environments.
Bathroom Vanities
Our custom bathroom vanities combine efficient organization with modern aesthetics. We create tailored solutions that optimize storage capacity while complementing bathroom designs, incorporating specialized features like medicine cabinets, towel racks, and lighting integration to enhance both functionality and visual appeal in residential spaces.
Kerf Wall Design
We develop modular wall systems that transform living spaces through adaptable storage and display solutions. This service includes dimensional analysis, material selection, and installation planning for wall-mounted cabinets, shelves, and partitions that maintain structural integrity while offering flexible organization options for personal collections and everyday items.
Custom One-Offs
We produce unique, non-standard furniture pieces for specialized applications beyond typical cabinetry. This service accommodates unconventional requests through our established design process, creating singular solutions for niche storage needs, architectural features, or decorative elements that maintain our commitment to quality craftsmanship and functional design principles.
People
Nathan Hartman
Founder
Nathan Hartman established Kerf Design in 1999, pioneering innovative plywood cabinet construction techniques that balance artistic expression with practical functionality in Seattle's design community.
Shara Lee
Design Manager
Shara Lee leads our design team, ensuring each project maintains Kerf Design's signature style while meeting clients' specific spatial requirements through collaborative 3D modeling and material selection.
Zach Urban
Shop Manager
Zach Urban oversees production operations, maintaining quality control standards across all cabinet manufacturing processes while implementing technical improvements to enhance craftsmanship efficiency.
Questions
What materials do you primarily work with?
We specialize in plywood construction with colored laminate finishes, creating durable, aesthetically versatile cabinetry solutions for various residential applications.
How long does the custom cabinet process take?
The design phase requires 4-12 weeks followed by 8-10 weeks of production, with additional shipping time for non-local projects based on our current production schedule.
Can you accommodate unique storage requirements?
Yes, we develop custom solutions for specialized needs, including bookcases for large collections, kitchen storage for specific cookware, and unconventional space configurations.
Do you handle installation?
We provide detailed technical drawings for professional installation, with local delivery available in Seattle. For remote projects, we crate and ship cabinets directly to your location.
What is your design process like?
We begin with dimensional analysis and client consultation, create 3D models for review, then refine designs collaboratively until all specifications meet our quality standards.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Sharon Johnson
Aug 23, 2019
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Kerf did our kitchen just over three years ago and it all still looks brand new. They were a pleasure to work with.
Jaredjaskot
Jan 04, 2019
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They really turned my quote around in great time and appreciated their service. Plus, their cabinets are gorgeous.
Angelica Thayer
Sep 18, 2018
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I got another project done with Kerf Design. This time it's my turn, the garage. Juli as usual comes thru for us with a fantastic design yet practical. Quality is my priority so I went with Kerf Design because of prior experience, and they don't disappoint. I love my garage now with all the storage, feels good working with a clean organized area.
R. E.
Apr 04, 2016
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I contacted Kerf on a whim last summer after seeing so many lovely pins on pinterest. I have a mid-century house that needed a new bathroom and couldn't find a vanity I wanted. They responded so quickly and had ideas to me super fast! It was a wonderful experience and everyone was responsive. They were always so nice when I popped by their shop too, which I recommend to anyone considering using them. The process is a unique one and the shop is impressive. This is high quality workmanship! Since last summer, I hired them again to build my kitchen cabinets. I can't even put into words how
Tim H.
Aug 18, 2014
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We wanted to have an built-in office setup built for an upstairs bedroom, and have a couple of custom credenzas built. We talked to three different cabinet makers, but ultimately chose Kerf to do our work. Why? Because we like their design concepts, which are very unique. They were fairly easy to deal with, very informal, but knowledgeable and experienced. We got some good advice, and the final work was excellent. I only wish we'd had them build a credenza for our TV--we bought one at Crate and Barrel last fall, and now wish we hadn't.
