Where Wood, Cabinetry & Light Come Together

There are some projects that are fun to build, and then there are projects where all of the details come together just right. This custom built-in was one of those projects.

The goal was to take a wall that had plenty of potential and turn it into something that was not only functional, but also became a beautiful feature of the room.

From the beginning, we wanted to create a combination of rich materials, clean lines, and warm lighting that would give the built-in a high-end, custom feel.

The Materials

One of the first things that stands out is the Black Walnut countertop and shelves.

Walnut has a way of bringing warmth and character into a space that is hard to replicate with other materials. We wanted the natural grain of the Walnut to be a major part of the design, so the countertop and shelves became a focal point rather than simply another component of the cabinetry.

We paired that warmth with a White Oak backsplash. The lighter Oak creates a beautiful contrast against the darker Walnut and painted cabinetry while giving the interior of the built-in a natural, clean appearance.

For the cabinetry, we went with Forged Steel by Sherwin-Williams. The deep, sophisticated color gives the lower cabinets some visual weight while allowing the Walnut and White Oak to really stand out.

The combination ended up being one of my favorite parts of the project.

The Lighting

But there was another element that really brought this built-in to life: the lighting.

I had the opportunity to work with a new local lighting company, Newton Lighting Enterprises, on this project.

This was my first opportunity to work with them, and they were great to work with from the start. They sent over a sketch of their lighting concept, which gave us a chance to look at the built-in from a different perspective.

Instead of treating the lighting as something that gets added at the end, we were able to work together to come up with a solution that was incorporated into the design.

That collaboration was important because the goal wasn't simply to make the built-in brighter.

We wanted the lighting to showcase the work.

The integrated lighting highlights the White Oak backsplash, brings attention to the Walnut shelves, and adds a warm glow that changes the entire feel of the piece.

The Difference Is in the Details

This is one of the reasons I enjoy custom woodworking so much.

A project like this isn't just about building cabinets.

It's about figuring out how all of the individual pieces work together—the wood species, paint color, proportions, lighting, hardware, storage, and the room itself.

When those details are planned together, the finished piece feels intentional.

It feels like it belongs there.

And that's something you just can't get from an off-the-shelf piece of furniture.

Working With Local Craftspeople

I'm also excited about building relationships with other local companies and craftspeople.

Working with Newton Lighting Enterprises was a great example of what can happen when different trades collaborate from the beginning. Their willingness to work through the design with us allowed us to create a lighting solution that complemented the woodworking rather than competing with it.

I think that's one of the coolest parts of working on custom projects here in the Finger Lakes—there are so many talented people and businesses that can bring something unique to a project.

When those skills come together, the possibilities get pretty exciting.

https://www.newtonlightingent.com/

The Finished Piece

In the end, this built-in became much more than a place for storage.

The Black Walnut brings warmth.

The White Oak adds natural texture.

The Forged Steel cabinetry gives it depth and contrast.

And the lighting ties everything together.

It's a great example of what we love about custom woodworking at Burky's Woodwork: taking a space, listening to what the homeowner wants, and creating something that is built specifically for that home.

Built with heart. Built to last.