American Black Walnut has a rich chocolate-brown color with occasional purple and grey streaks. It machines beautifully and takes an oil finish to a deep, warm luster. It is the more visually dramatic of the two. Hard Maple is pale — almost white — with a tight, consistent grain that machines very crisply. It suits minimalist and Scandinavian-influenced aesthetics. Both are excellent hardwoods; the choice is largely about the look you are after.

Poplar is a domestic hardwood with a fine grain and relatively uniform texture. It is our preferred choice for pieces that will be painted or receive a heavily pigmented finish, where the character of the wood beneath does not need to show. It is also a more economical option for prototyping custom designs before committing to walnut or maple.

No — and that is a feature, not a limitation. Wood is a natural material and every board is different. The grain pattern, figure, and subtle color variation in your piece will be unique to the board we select for your order. We choose boards with care and can share photos of the selected blank before machining if you would like to see it first.

We do not work with customer-supplied wood as a rule, because we cannot guarantee its moisture content or dimensional stability, which affects the quality of the machined result. Reclaimed wood requests can be discussed on a case-by-case basis — contact us with details.

All finishes applied to serving pieces — trays, boards, and bowls — are food-safe once fully cured. We use mineral oil, tung oil, and beeswax blends formulated for food contact. Decorative pieces may receive lacquer or Danish oil, which are not intended for direct food contact surfaces.

Yes. For outdoor installations, we apply a UV-resistant exterior satin lacquer that is rated for direct weather exposure. We recommend covered or semi-exposed installations rather than full-sun placement — even the best exterior finish requires periodic maintenance, and shade dramatically extends the service life.

We offer stain fill for carved areas — typically black or white — on signs and decorative panels. For whole-surface staining, we can discuss options, though we generally recommend embracing the natural color of the wood rather than obscuring it. If you have a specific color in mind, share a reference and we will advise on what is achievable.

A good rule of thumb: re-oil when the wood looks thirsty. In practical terms, this is every one to three months for pieces used daily, and every six months for pieces used occasionally. Apply a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil, let it absorb for 20–30 minutes, then wipe off the excess. Two coats on the first re-oiling after purchase is ideal.

No. The heat and prolonged water exposure in a dishwasher will cause the wood to expand, crack, and warp — often in a single cycle. Hand-wash with mild soap and warm water, dry immediately, and your piece will last for decades.

Light scratches on oil-finished pieces can be sanded out with 220-grit sandpaper, followed by re-oiling. Lacquered pieces are more involved — sand to bare wood, re-apply lacquer in thin coats, and sand between coats. If you are uncertain, contact us and we may be able to advise or refinish the piece for you.

Start by submitting an inquiry through our contact form with as much detail as you have — dimensions, material preference, intended use, any reference images. We will follow up within 2–3 business days to discuss the project, propose a design direction, and provide a quote. Once you approve the design and confirm the order, production begins. We share a photo of the completed piece before shipping.

There is no minimum quantity — we welcome single custom pieces. There is a minimum project value of $100 CAD for custom orders, as the design and setup work involved makes smaller commissions impractical.

Yes. We need your artwork in a vector format (.ai, .svg, .eps, or high-resolution .pdf). If you only have a raster image (jpg, png), we can often trace it — share what you have and we will confirm. Complex artwork with very fine detail may require simplification to translate well into a carve.

All custom orders include two rounds of design revisions before production begins. We share a digital proof — a rendered image of exactly what will be machined — and you can request changes to layout, sizing, text, or design elements. Changes requested after production has started may incur additional charges.

We have never had this happen, because we confirm the design in writing before machining begins. If there is a manufacturing error on our part — a mistake in dimensions, text, or finish that differs from what was agreed — we will remake the piece at no charge. Design preferences that were not communicated before production are not covered.

In-stock pieces ship within 3–5 business days. Custom pieces take 2–4 weeks from design approval to shipping, depending on complexity and our current queue. We will give you a specific timeline estimate when we confirm your order.

Sometimes. If you have a hard deadline, mention it in your inquiry and we will be honest about whether we can meet it. Rush orders that require rearranging our production queue may carry a surcharge. We would rather be upfront than overpromise.

Every piece is wrapped in kraft paper, nested in custom-cut foam inserts, and boxed in double-walled corrugated cartons. We ship with tracked courier and insurance — the packaging is designed for the worst-case scenario: multiple carrier handoffs, a few drops, a rainy day.

Yes — local pickup is available from our studio in Caledon, Ontario. Coordinate a pickup time when you place your order. This also gives you the opportunity to inspect the piece in person before taking it home.

Three things: material (walnut costs more than maple or poplar), size (more material and longer machining time), and complexity (intricate geometry or fine-detail carving requires more tool passes and slower feeds). We price every custom piece individually — submit an inquiry with your specifications for a quote.

Yes. Custom orders require a 50% deposit before design work begins, with the balance due before shipping. In-stock pieces are paid in full at checkout. We accept UPI, bank transfer, and major cards.

We do not price-match. If you have seen a comparable piece at a lower price, we encourage you to consider it carefully — CNC woodworking involves real material costs, machine time, and finishing labor. Our pricing reflects what it actually costs to make something well.