In high-end custom cabinetry and fine woodworking, craftsmanship often begins with a formal apprenticeship or a family trade. For Greg Van Wyk, founder of Foxbury Woodworks, the journey was a bit more unconventional. After a 20-year career in Colorado law enforcement, Van Wyk traded his badge for the woodshop, relocating to North Carolina in August 2023 to turn a lifelong passion into a bespoke business.

Today, operating out of a 1,200-square-foot shop on his 3-acre property near High Point, Van Wyk is carving out a niche that balances the precision of fine furniture with the demands of high-end cabinetry and closet design.

His interest in building began in his grandfather’s garage and grew through the sweat equity of his own home renovations. While working 12-hour shifts at a Colorado sheriff’s office, he spent his off-days finishing basements and building keepsakes for his children.

“I realized I really had a passion for woodworking and actually building higher quality things that were going to take more time and investment,” Van Wyk recalled. The transition from hobbyist to professional was jump-started by a 40-year veteran of the craft. “I made a really great mentor connection with a local fine woodworker... he really motivated me to take the plunge and turn kind of this hobby mindset into more of a full-time career.”

Full-production farmhouse

Van Wyk’s shop is an efficient, one-man operation. While the exterior mirrors the country farmhouse look of his home, the interior is a full production environment. The shop is anchored by industrial-grade machinery, including a Powermatic table saw, a 15-inch Grizzly planer, and an 8-inch Oliver jointer.

Despite the constraints of a 1,200-square-foot footprint, Van Wyk handles all his own finishing, utilizing a combination of HVLP and airless sprayers. He has standardized his process to ensure consistent quality, favoring Sherwin-Williams Gallery finishes for paint and Rubio Monocoat for natural wood furniture.

“I try not to be too distracted by all the different things that are coming out,” he said. “I just stick to what I think are really great products that provide really solid finishes.” Looking ahead, Van Wyk plans a 1,000-square-foot expansion to include a dedicated spray booth, further isolating the finishing process from the assembly floor.

Bespoke closets and cabinetry

While Van Wyk’s heart lies in custom furniture, citing a recent project where he milled 75-year-old inherited walnut for a farmhouse dining table, the reality of the North Carolina market has shifted his workload. Currently, 75 percent to 80 percent of his business is cabinetry and built-in casework.

“This is a tough time in history to be a custom furniture maker just because people can order things online very easily,” Van Wyk noted. “However, the bulk of my work is primarily cabinetry.”

This shift has led him into the lucrative and growing sector of high-end storage solutions. Van Wyk has found a particular rhythm in solving “livability” issues that production builders often overlook, such as drop zones, entryway storage, and master closets.

One of Foxbury Woodworks’ standout projects involved solid aromatic cedar. A client moving from Arkansas to North Carolina wanted to replicate a cedar closet from their previous home.

Van Wyk steered the client toward a more sophisticated design than the traditional thin tongue-and-groove planks. “My recommendation... was to use full panels for the walls... they really liked the idea of being able to see more of the panel grain,” he explained. Using Columbia Forest Products plywood for the large surfaces and milling his own solid cedar for the trim, base, and ceiling details, Van Wyk created a luxury environment that was as aromatic as it was visual.

Beyond cedar, Van Wyk recently completed an extensive master suite featuring all-walnut cabinetry, demonstrating his willingness to work with premium hardwoods, whereas many in the industry have moved toward laminates.

For the interior designers and architects who comprise Van Wyk’s referral network, the appeal of Foxbury Woodworks lies in its “one-man shop” accountability.

“Everything that goes out of my shop is a product of my hands,” Van Wyk said. “I take a lot of pride in making sure that things are done correct and to the best of my ability.”

This artisanal approach extends to his hardware choices. Van Wyk uses only 3/4-inch sheet goods for boxes and high-quality undermount slides and hinges. “I don’t give clients really the option on those kinds of components just because they’re going to get what I believe is the best out there,” he asserted.

Networking in the furniture capital

Launching a business 20 minutes from High Point, the Furniture Capital of the World, presented a unique challenge. In an area saturated with mass production, Van Wyk has leaned into personal networking rather than digital marketing. He avoids the quick scroll of social media, preferring face-to-face meetings with interior designers, realtors, and small business groups.

“I want to learn from people directly... I’m going to come and meet you. Let’s just grab a coffee,” he explained.

As Foxbury Woodworks approaches its third year in North Carolina, Van Wyk is focused on the partnership aspect of the trade. Whether he is building a custom island to complement a contractor’s kitchen or designing a bespoke walnut closet, he stated his goal is to provide a “bespoke, high-end” experience that justifies the investment in local craftsmanship.

For more information, visit foxburywoodworks.com.