I recently finished a built-in home office desk made from one of my favorite woods: Cherry. Look at that color!

While I was building it, I had ample time to contemplate the things that set custom-made furniture apart from pre-made pieces. One thing that makes this piece special is the care that I used when I was choosing each piece of wood.

Cherrywood has a LOT of variation, as you can see even in these unfinished boards.

The big left-hand board is fairly bland, while the one right next to it has an arrow-like pattern of ribboning. (This is another reason I love cherry... it can have a lot of depth and interest in the grain.)

As I added the first coats of poly, you could really see the difference.

When I built the drawers, I chose pieces that made a continuous wrap-around pattern, so they're as pretty on the inside as they are on the outside.

The sides of the desk also wrap around to match the header.

I got an especially pretty piece for the top. It's hard to get photos of wood grain, so you'll just have to use your imagination when I say that it had complex patterns that threw back gleams of light.

The desk really transformed the wall, which went from small and bland...

... to big and bold!

The cherrywood will darken over time and become redder as well, so this desk will just get better with age.

If your home office could use a little pizzazz, we can do that for you. And we'll pay attention to all the little details, too.

... ESPECIALLY if you already love white rooms.

But before I show it off, allow me a quick comment. In the past decade or so we've seen a lot of people paint their furniture, especially those who prefer airy, contemporary rooms in a neutral palette. And don't get me wrong... I love painted furniture and some of my favorite projects have been painted plain white.

But dark, rich brown wood has its place in light-colored rooms. It makes a beautiful foil against the white walls, and it can have complex grains which bring texture and interest to what would otherwise be a bland space.

Walnut is one of my favorite dark woods. It's got a chocolatey purple undertone and a grain pattern which, while subtle compared to oak, can often include arched patterns that add an Art Deco touch.

​Case in point: our latest project.

A custom built-in AV cabinet in a bright, contemporary living room.

Or do you like it better without doors?

It's really hard to capture the beauty of this wood in a photograph, because grain patterns move with the light. They glimmer and shimmer.

​But here's my best attempt:

There's a satiny ribbon effect that really catches the eye.

By the way, the shelves are adjustable in height to allow you to store larger items like stereo equipment or a hidden TV. I love the versatility of this piece. It could be a pantry, a clothes closet, a display case... you name it.

And it's eight feet tall and four feet wide, so it's much more substantial in real life.

If you've got a modern room that needs a little architectural interest, give us a call. We'll help you design a piece that changes your space... and lets you store all your stuff out of sight... so you can live a clutter-free, stress-free life.