A treasure island in your kitchen

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Our love of making things goes beyond doors and into the kitchen with our custom islands. The islands we create are completely different from the cabinetry of the kitchen and therefore stand as a piece of furniture on their own.

We naturally progressed into making islands as we branched from doors into other furniture. Clients would ask us if we can make a unique island while we were making their door, and we continued from there. A good example of a unique island is one we made for Sarah Hartill from House & Home magazine. It was a really fun project, as the island needed to be very small and functional… but beautiful. We used white oak and metal to make this and it contrasts wonderfully against the green mist cabinetry Sarah chose.

Our custom work allows us to fit in as many built-in features as possible to maximize space. Functionality is important and that’s why these pieces require a lot of consideration to design.

Making space in small ones

Practicality is important to everything we make: our kitchen islands are carefully designed to meet client’s needs and conserve space. With electrical elements, lifestyle and aesthetics in mind, we craft a space-efficient unit that does more than just look good. Since an island is a great opportunity to create more storage space, we prioritize this in our designs. Anyone with a small kitchen will agree!

Built-in features

Given the custom nature of our work, we have the ability to create pieces that fulfill all of our clients’ needs.

We worked with interior designer Stephanie Lees to create an island with the electrical outlet built into one side of the unit. Stephanie wanted to incorporate the electrical need into the design, which resulted in a beautiful asymmetrical island base.  Made of reclaimed wood and metal, the island now resides in the home it was made for. (which was featured in several media outlets, including Home in Canada magazine).

See left, third image in slideshow: This island for our clients’ small condo kitchen has a wine rack, shelving units and space for chairs to fit underneath. The client requested wheels to allow easy transport, which means it can used as a mobile bar (and that’s an idea we can all appreciate!)

If you would like us to make something for you, please email us at info@1925workbench.com with pictures of your space and dimensions.

Our off the grid doors

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What’s best about custom work is the collaboration between us and our clients to create a new door. We call these our “off the grid” doors because they are different from the ones we usually make. Inspired by our clients’ requests and made through collaboration, we want to share some of these pieces with you.

Dual purpose

Most of these designs are made upon clients’ request. That’s why we love the process: These unique doors are usually brought to life by the clients’ vision for their space.

Most of our doors are both aesthetic and functional highlights of a room. Our sliding doors usually cover up a space or divide one to create a new room, for instance. But there are some that go the extra mile, like our sliding bookcase (see right). Our client wanted a bookcase that also encloses a walk-in closet. Made of reclaimed ash, the modern design is as effective as it is functional. The two boxes built into the shelf add interest to the otherwise simple design.

The collaboration process shines through here and we are proud to show you the results.

Style meets function: our “off the grid” Sliding bookcase.

Style meets function: our “off the grid” Sliding bookcase.

Creating something new

The metal quilted door, also known as the scrap metal door (see in slideshow), is made of sheet metal on heavy metal barn door hardware. Our client wanted an entry door to their home interior from the sunroom. We worked with them to understand what they wanted and then figure out how we were going to create the desired piece. In this case, we paid extra attention to the placement of the metal sheets. How and where the lines meet affects the “quilted” appearance and we wanted the piece to look polished.

Our chevron doors (see in slideshow) use the placement of natural wood pieces to create a sense of movement, which we love. We also love seeing where our “off the grid doors” will take us next!

If you would like us to make something for you, please email us at info@1925workbench.com with pictures of your space and dimensions.

The tapestry of wood

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We are passionate about wood and take pride in what we make with it. This is especially true for this project.

At 29 feet, this conference table made for DSV Canada’s logistics facility is our longest one yet. It’s a size fit for the largest building in Milton, at 1.2 million square feet.

Made of ash, walnut and African blackwood, this piece has a story to tell almost as long as the table itself.

About DSV

This Danish transport and logistics company consists of three divisions: Solutions manages warehouse fulfillment and contract logistics services and Air & Sea with air and ocean freight cargo. Road handles road transport.

With branches in over 80 countries and 60,000 employees worldwide, working with DSV gave us the exciting chance to bridge the gap between local makers and global enterprise.

A table to tell a story

Founded in Denmark before expanding to Canada and beyond, DSV wanted the table to symbolize their global bonds. That’s why three stitches connect white ash and walnut slats representing Denmark and Canada. Each inlaid African blackwood piece symbolizes a DSV division.

By choosing a local maker, international organizations like DSV enforce community while recognizing the value of local economies.

Inlaid african blackwood slats is the stitching connecting Denmark and Canada at DSV.

Inlaid african blackwood slats is the stitching connecting Denmark and Canada at DSV.

We collaborated to forge an unlikely relationship that saw us create a meaningful piece.

Our design

Inspired by DSV’s Danish roots, we considered the simplicity of Scandinavian design in our own.

DSV wanted the base to be of U-shape and in metal. Custom making the bases, we considered proportions to accommodate for the table’s exceptional length: Thicker, sturdier legs were needed for sufficient support. They are metal, powder coated black and welded in-house.

We decided to make four sections and five sets of legs. The table’s matte finish showcases the materials and reflects the natural landscape beyond the conference room windows.

Nighttime dry-fitting: done outside because the table would not fit anywhere else!

Nighttime dry-fitting: done outside because the table would not fit anywhere else!

We are proud to have worked with DSV to create a piece representing both local community and global relations. We believe something as simple as a table can do that.

Special thank you goes to DSV for collaborating on this project.

Find us on Instagram: @1925workbench.