Creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration coordinate seamlessly at Designed & Made. Founded by Brian Grabski, the St. Paul, Minnesota-based custom woodworking shop specializes in cabinetry, architectural woodwork, and original design pieces.

The name, Designed & Made, reflects the company’s core philosophy: complete creative ownership from initial concept through final build, said Grabski, owner. “It was inspired by the branding iron used by Sam Maloof — ‘designed•made’ — which he burned into the bottom of his iconic rocking chairs. That mark embodied the pride and integrity of hands-on craftsmanship, and it deeply influenced how we think about our own work. We carry forward that tradition of designing and making under one roof, ensuring every detail aligns with the architectural vision.”

The company has 10 highly skilled employees working at the 8,000-square-foot shop. “We’re intentionally small, which allows us to stay nimble and maintain exceptional quality — yet we’re big enough to meet the demanding timelines of large-scale residential projects,” Grabski said. This also allows the team to avoid the pitfalls of overextension, ensuring that each project receives the focused attention it deserves.

The process at Designed & Made involves collaboration and precision. Every project, Grabski noted, starts with a conversation — either with the architect, designer, or homeowner. “From there, we move into design development and 3D modeling, where we refine proportions, details, and materials in collaboration with the design team. Once approved, we engineer everything in-house and produce precise shop drawings and CNC-ready files.” Fabrication is done on-site, where the company combines high-tech machining with handcraftsmanship. Most jobs are fully finished and assembled before being shipped to the jobsite and installed.

“As a custom shop, there’s really no ‘typical’ project — every job is unique. That said, the majority of our work is high-end residential cabinetry and millwork, often full-home packages. We also take on select commercial projects when they align with our approach and values,” Grabski said.

On average, two to three jobs are in process at the shop, at any given time. “Our workflow is intentionally linear — each project moves through design, engineering, fabrication, finishing, and installation in a focused sequence. This allows us to stay dialed in on quality and detail without spreading ourselves too thin.” Designed & Made provides end-to-end service, from design consulting and engineering to procurement, fabrication, logistics, and installation. “Our integrated approach enables us to handle complex, architecturally driven projects with precision,” Grabski added.

In the shop
Designed & Made utilizes a variety of equipment at the shop, including two Holz-Her 3-axis CNC routers, digital modeling capabilities (Rhino/Grasshopper/F360/Cabinet Vision), advanced spray finishing, SCMI edgebander, Timesavers 3-head widebelt sander, Weinig moulder, TigerStop and SawStop equipment, plus other traditional woodworking tools that support everything from fine furniture to large-scale millwork.

“We’re known for pushing boundaries — combining digital fabrication with old-world woodworking. That includes sculptural shaping, bookmatched veneers, custom joinery, and obsessive hand-finishing.”

Grabski’s team is also heavily involved in the material selection on every project, including sourcing hardwoods and veneers down to the individual flitch, ensuring consistency in tone, grain, and figure. “We often collaborate with designers and clients to strike the right balance between performance and aesthetic,” he said.

A sustainable company, Designed & Made uses FSC-certified hardwoods, optimizes material yields through digital nesting, and uses low-VOC finishing systems. “Our commitment to longevity and quality is a sustainability strategy in itself — our work is built to endure,” Grabski added.

Roughly 75 percent of work involves kitchens, cabinetry, and architectural millwork, while the remaining 25 percent is dedicated to specialty furniture and sculptural commissions. “These one-off pieces allow us to explore the edge of what’s possible in terms of form, material, and process,” he said.

“We thrive at the intersection of architecture, design, and craftsmanship. Our ability to handle complex details, embrace custom challenges, and execute at a high level sets us apart. Our success comes from taking on ambitious work and delivering beyond expectations.”

Passion project: Pool table
Highlighting Designed & Made's unique capabilities is the recently completed pool table, a “passion project” that stands as a centerpiece in its showroom. Making a “bold and sculptural statement,” the pool table showcases the company’s full range of skills in high-end design, digital modeling, machining, handcraftsmanship, and finishing. 

“We also saw it as a conversation starter — specifically, a way to demonstrate the type of work we’d love to explore with partners like Steinway on a future Art Case piano. The concept was developed entirely in-house using 3D modeling and iterative prototyping,” Grabski explained.

The process began with a hand sketch largely inspired by a vintage Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. table from the early 1900s. Grabski worked closely with Duncan MacLeslie to develop the 3D model and engineer every component. “Duncan handled the CNC programming, machining, and final assembly — executing the complex curves and structure with precision,” he said. “I was intentionally pushing the design to challenge what was possible, and Duncan stepped up in a way that was incredible to watch. He does this kind of work better than anyone I’ve seen — calm, focused, and deeply skilled. His execution brought the digital design to life with exacting clarity.”

The company hand-selected the mahogany veneer used throughout the piece, focusing on consistency of tone and grain to support the sculptural geometry. The material was central to the design and was chosen specifically to highlight depth, warmth, and movement, Grabski noted.

Adrian Bileydi-Lee handled the intricate work of veneering and ivory inlay. “Each flitch of mahogany was carefully selected and bookmatched to follow the curves of the form, ensuring balance and consistency throughout,” Grabski explained. “The ivory inlay was executed with jeweler-like precision—quiet, restrained, and perfectly placed. Adrian’s work didn’t just refine the surface; it gave the piece its soul.”

Paul Perrone completed the finishing process, applying a custom blend of tung oil, turpentine, and yacht varnish. “He hand-rubbed eight coats to a high-gloss sheen that brought depth, warmth, and richness to the sculptural form,” Grabski said.

Overseeing the entire pool table project, Andy Fleischhacker, production foreman, coordinated the machining, assembly, finishing, and install prep, "bringing all the moving pieces together seamlessly."

Grabski added, “More than a showcase of individual skills, the project was a study in emergent behavior — the idea that the combined effort of multiple craftsmen can create something greater than the sum of its parts. That’s what this company is all about: 1 + 1 + 1  + 1 = 5.”

A woodworker's journey
Grabski’s journey into woodworking started in high school, “where a great shop teacher, Geoff Olynik, sparked my interest.” He went to work at a shop called Classic Woodworks during his senior year, an experience he describes as inspiring. “It was an amazing place — I couldn’t wait to get there each day and be part of the team,” he said. “The owner, Randy Larrabee, became one of my biggest influences. He set the tone for how things should be done and showed me just how important culture is in any company. That experience laid the foundation for the kind of shop I would eventually build.”

After working in several other shops throughout high school and college to hone his skills, the opportunity to start his own business arose in 2005 when a family friend offered to lease him shop space. “I always knew I wanted to run my own business,” Grabski said. “My dad was an entrepreneur and combining that influence with my love for woodworking made it a natural fit. The space was there, and a handful of people we knew needed custom work — so I went for it.” Designed & Made was founded that year.

In recognition of his efforts at his company and in the community, Grabski was honored as a Wood Industry 40 Under 40 by Woodworking Network in 2016. 

He continues to make an impact today. Grabski serves on the Board of Directors for the Saint Paul College Woodworking Program, providing feedback on curriculum development and hosting shop tours to give students real-world exposure to high-end custom fabrication.

More on the company can be seen in the video and at designedandmade.com.