Woodgrain Custom Builds

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Marshall, MN
Woodgrain Custom Builds

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We provide custom woodworking, furniture and cabinets to the Marshall, MN area and beyond. We would love to collaborate with you on your next project!

Each piece is handcrafted using high quality materials and built to your exact needs.

10/23/2026

Some projects come with a little more history than others.

This door started with a pretty special piece of lumber. The Douglas fir I used was salvaged from an old schoolhouse in South Dakota, and it had plenty of old patina and character left in it.

The goal was to build a new door for a home that was originally built in 1912, while keeping as much of that character and history in the material as possible.

Now the finished door is back in its new home in Gary, South Dakota, where the old lumber has a new purpose in a home with a history of its own.

I really enjoy projects like this. There's something pretty satisfying about taking material that already has a story and giving it another chapter.

If you'd like to read the full article, follow the link below.

10/22/2026

A lot of the work happens before I ever make the first cut.

When I’m choosing lumber for a project, I’m looking at more than whether a board is straight and usable. I’m thinking about the grain, color, character, how the boards will work together, and where each piece will make the most sense in the finished project.

Sometimes the right board for one part of a project isn’t the right board for another.

That’s one of the parts of custom woodworking I really enjoy. There’s a lot of thought that goes into making the finished piece look like it was meant to be there from the beginning.

Want to see more of what goes into a custom project? Take a look at the work following the link below.

10/20/2026

Once the lumber is unloaded, there’s a little sorting and inspecting to do.

I like to go through each load, look at what I got, figure out what I want to set aside for future projects, and get everything stacked and organized in the shop.

There’s a little more to getting lumber ready for a project than just bringing it through the door.

And now that it’s all stacked, we can start figuring out what this wood is going to become.

Follow along. I’ll show you what comes next.

10/19/2026

We've got a special project in the shop recently, and his name is Peanut.

Peanut is a solid wood elephant who's been around for more than 50 years. He weighs well over 50 pounds, so he's definitely not a lightweight!

Anne is taking the lead on giving him a whole new look, and we've already gotten a little attached to him. I have a feeling he's going to steal a few hearts around here, and hopefully yours, too.

We'll be sharing updates as Anne works her way through the restoration, so you can follow along and see Peanut's transformation from start to finish.

Stay tuned. This should be a fun one!

10/16/2026

This one was a fun mix of design, problem-solving, and figuring out how to make new pieces feel at home in an old farmhouse.

This family is turning their farmhouse into their forever home, so we built a custom kitchen island with a quartersawn oak top, a traditional-style base, plenty of storage, and a pull-out trash bin. And the blue was all them. They love color, and I think it was the perfect choice.

We also built a matching sideboard inspired by an antique oak piece already in the home and raised their existing kitchen cabinets 3 inches to make them more comfortable for this tall family.

Sometimes the best solution isn't starting over. It's figuring out how to make what you already have work better.

And then there was Shadow. He quickly decided the truck and trailer were his personal playground, and I got a little too attached to him. Anne probably would have had some questions if I had shown up at home with a cat, don't you think?

Have a space you're trying to make work a little better? I'd be happy to hear what you're thinking. Find the link to get in touch in the comments below.

10/15/2026

A new load of lumber came into the shop, so it’s time to start sorting through it!

Lumber selection is a pretty important part of what I do. I’m looking at the grain, figuring out what each board might be best suited for, and setting aside the pieces that will work especially well for certain projects.

This load has some really nice vertical grain that will be great for doors, and after I’ve selected what I need, everything gets stacked and stickered so the lumber can adjust to the climate-controlled shop.

It’ll sit for about five or six days before I start putting it to work.

And yes, I had to look up where the word “sticker” came from. Apparently it dates back to the 15th century. You learn something new every day.

There’s a lot that happens to a board before it ever becomes part of a finished project.

10/13/2026

We’re doing it again.

The first Grain & Gather at Brau Brothers Brewing Co. was a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to getting everyone back together for the next one.

If you enjoy woodworking, are learning your way around a shop, have a project you’re working on, or just like talking about making things, come join us. There’s no experience level you need to be at and no particular kind of woodworking you need to be into.

We’ll talk shop, share projects, ask questions, swap ideas, and probably get a little sidetracked along the way.

Grain & Gather is Monday, October 26 from 7–9 p.m. at Brau Brothers Taproom in Marshall. It’s free, no registration is needed, and all ages and experience levels are welcome.

If you missed the first one, this is a great time to jump in.

Know someone who would enjoy this? Tag them below and bring them along.

10/12/2026

I don't think custom woodworking is the right answer for every project. Sometimes a stock option makes perfect sense.

But sometimes you need something to fit the space, the way you use it, or the way you want it to look. That's where custom really makes a difference.

I wrote a little more about why custom woodworking still matters in a world where just about anything can be ordered off the shelf.

You can read the full article here: https://woodgraincustombuilds.com/blog/why-custom-woodworking-matters

10/09/2026

There’s not much better than delivery day.

I got a load of walnut in today for a farmhouse table I’ll be starting next week, and unloading a delivery like this always feels a little like Christmas morning. You never quite know what you’re going to get until you start digging through the pile.

For the record, I really scored today.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to follow this walnut from the lumber pile all the way to the finished table. I’ll be checking in along the way as we select and prep the lumber, build the top and base, and work through all the details that go into the finished piece.

I’m pretty excited to see what this walnut turns into.

Follow along with .

10/07/2026

Custom with a can-do attitude.

Not every project goes exactly according to plan. Sometimes the space, the materials, or the idea itself presents a challenge.

That's part of what I enjoy about custom work.

I like figuring things out, finding a way forward, and making something work for the homeowner instead of settling for what comes off the shelf.

There’s usually a solution. Sometimes you just have to build it.

If you have a project that doesn't quite fit the standard options, I'd be happy to hear about it. Find the link to get in touch in the comments below.

Address

Marshall, MN

Telephone

+15074014350

Website

http://woodgraincustombuilds.com/

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