What Happens After Delivery (It’s All Totally Normal)
Custom woodwork doesn’t come with a manual (though maybe it should!). Your piece might be made entirely from solid wood, engineered materials, or a thoughtful mix of both. Either way, every material has its quirks, its own character and rhythm.
This little guide is here to help you settle in with your new furniture or millwork, get to know its personality, and keep things feeling great long after delivery day.
Movement (aka Just Wood Being Wood)
Wood is naturally sensitive to its environment and it expands and contracts with changes in humidity. That beautiful flat panel? It might develop a slight curve in the summer and settle back down in the winter. Doors may shift just a bit. It’s all part of how real wood behaves.
Wondering, “Is this normal?” Absolutely. We build with this in mind. So if a drawer sticks a little in August, don’t worry, it’ll likely ease up by October.
Fingerprints Will Happen
Especially on paint or matte finishes. Especially if you have small humans or medium-sized pets with snack-hands or tail-whips.
Pro tip: A damp microfiber cloth and a sense of humor go a long way. And if you want a finish that hides the grime? We’re happy to make a recommendation that can help minimize the evidence.
Dings, Scratches, Life Marks
Yes, it’ll get scratched. Maybe even dinged. Life’s busy, especially in hardworking spaces where we’re cooking, multitasking, or just trying to get through the day. In the middle of it all, we bump into drawers, drop something heavy, or set something down a little too hard. It happens.
Your piece is meant to be lived with. It’ll age, it’ll change, and that’s part of the beauty. But if something feels really off or needs attention, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Paint Touch-Ups Are Part of the Deal
If you have painted millwork, touch-ups are normal over time. Especially on corners, edges, or around high-traffic spots.
We’ll always leave you with the paint color and sheen. Keep a little jar handy and apply as needed.
Settling Happens
Sometimes drawers might feel stiffer a month in. Hinges might need a tweak. A cabinet door might sag a hair because, hey, gravity.
This is normal. We’re here to help if you need an adjustment (and we can also talk you through a DIY fix if you’re feeling ambitious).
Square Work for Not-So-Square Spaces
We work in a lot of homes, and we’ve never seen one that’s perfectly straight.
Old homes or new builds, it doesn’t matter. Walls bow, floors slope, corners lean just a little. Toronto’s full of beautiful older homes built on long-buried riverbeds like Garrison Creek, and even brand-new houses can have their quirks.
So when a perfectly square piece meets a wall that’s doing its own thing, it doesn’t always line up the way you’d expect. We plan for this with filler pieces, scribing tricks, and thoughtful adjustments to help everything look seamless. But sometimes, making things appear straight means giving up a bit of storage or symmetry. It’s always a balancing act. We work with what’s real, and we do our best to find that sweet spot between beauty and function.
You Might Change Your Mind About Things (And That’s OK)
Sometimes, after living with a piece for a while, you realize you need just a little more. An extra shelf. A hidden drawer. Cable holes for a new turntable or gaming setup. A door catch added, or even a tip-on upgrade. That’s just what happens when life evolves — your space evolves with it.
It’s totally normal to want to tweak things once you’ve spent time using them. If something’s not quite working, or you have an idea to make it even better, reach out. We’ll let you know what’s doable and give you the honest lowdown.