Corridor's custom cabinetry shops make design dreams a reality

Interior design trends come and go, but for decades, cabinetry has been a staple in homes and businesses all over the nation.

It makes sense that local cabinet makers have seen their business grow over the years.

Jim Moeller, president and co-owner of Cabinet Creations in Marion, and his business partner, Randy Gardner, have been specializing in building high-end, custom cabinets and bookcases since 1991.

Moeller works mostly on the design end, while the company's staff of eight employees works on fabrication.

"We do some really exquisite finishes. All of our work is tailored to fit clients' tastes and needs," Moeller said. "They often bring in a picture from another home they've seen, or a magazine clipping, and we make it a reality."

While some of their business is commercial, the majority of the work Moeller and his team does is for residential projects.

"We deal mostly with return clients and word-of-mouth," Moeller said. "Many customers have had us work on previous projects and come back to us for more work when they build a new house."

Kip Westgard, owner of Westgard Woodworks in Iowa City, also works mainly with residential customers. Westgard was originally studying in college to become an engineer when he decided that he didn't want to sit at a desk for a living, and that working with his hands was more his forte.

After years working in carpentry and mastering the craft, Westgard decided to open his own business and quickly found his niche.

"One thing I've found a big demand for is cabinet refacing," Westgard said. "I believe in green work practices, so that's why I do a lot of refacing - my intention is to save and reuse as much cabinetry and materials as I can so they don't go to the landfill."

Refacing, he says, is a cost-effective way to update existing cabinetry to give a more custom and upscale design. "It's the quickest, most affordable way to get a whole new look for your home," he said.

Westgard also offers other services, including building new cabinets, fireplace mantels, built-ins, as well as more large-scale remodeling work. For bigger jobs, he contracts out a team for electrical, plumbing and other specific work, while he handles all of the carpentry.

Being a one-man shop, Westgard enjoys the intimacy of the design and building process with his clients.

"Working with customers directly has been really beneficial - since I do all the work myself and meet with the customers along the way, it's a really positive experience from start to finish," he said.

It's a combination of one-on-one, personalized attention to customer needs, solid craftsmanship and quality materials that are at the heart of the custom cabinetry business.

At Cabinet Creations, employees work with all types of hard wood, including cherry, walnut and maple. Other materials they frequently use include exotic and engineered veneers, which are man-made, durable and provide a unique, high-end look.

Westgard said that material prices have increased in recent years, but that hasn't had a negative impact on his business. Instead, customers continue to come in seeking original, quality work.

"In general, people who want custom work know that they get what they pay for - it may cost more now, but they're happier in the long-run," he said.

Moeller also puts a big focus on long-term durability in his creations. "When people choose our work, we want it to be durable and last a lifetime - instead of trying to save a nickel today, they'll save a dime tomorrow," he noted.

Custom projects in the past have included a wide variety of styles, finishes and design techniques. While some Cabinet Creations projects have included very contemporary, sleek styles, others have placed a focus on traditional design elements.

"On older homes, we often remodel in such a way that incorporates new, modern functionality while also preserving the character and charm of the home's original features," Moeller said.

In addition to working on kitchen cabinetry, entertainment centers and bookcases, Cabinet Creations ventures into other areas of woodworking as well.

"We also specialize in secret rooms and hidden spaces," Moeller said. "For example, customers might want a concealed cabinet to store their guns."

Other unique Cabinet Creations projects have included an entire new home that was outfitted in exotic wood paneling instead of drywall, motorized entertainment centers that move with the touch of a button and one-of-a-kind cabinetry for luxury jets that are equipped with Rockwell Collins avionics and communications.

In terms of time, Westgard says he can take anywhere from a few days to finish a mantel project to about six weeks for building cabinetry. Moeller estimates that most projects he completes last from four to six weeks.