Custom Carvings & Inlays
Carved elements can bring life and richness to interior spaces, and a timeless warmth that isn't achieved by other means. Tables, trim, doors, staircases, newel posts - there are plenty of opportunities to incorporate art into the functional aspects of a space. We are open to working to achieve your unique vision!
This carved element was produced in poplar and walnut. The points in the leaf correspond with a symbol known as the enneagram. This type of work can breath life and interest into a space. 3D machining is truly amazing!
This custom live-edge table combines old symbolism with flora and fauna found on the Niagara Escarpment. It is carved in elm, a hard, long-grained wood that would be daunting by conventional carving methods.
This carved door design was based on elements seen in the Alhambra. It was produced in African Mahogany.
This symbolic art piece began as a set of pencil drawings. At 4 inches thick it exemplifies the degree to which full dimensional carving can be accomplished using three-axis equipment.
This leaf was carved into a thick elm slab. It maintains a lovely detail despite the wild grain of the tree.
This test piece shows a grape vine motif that was carved in walnut and incorporated into a large wine cabinet.
The inlay and wing were created out of poplar. CNC machining enables us to create intricate artistic designs for your home or office.
The negative walnut portion of the inlay shortly after inserting the positive form (poplar) and machining it off.
Created as an element in a Television Show sponsored by the famous hunting rifle company, this table top is 3" thick. The design sits beneath glass.
The concentric grain of the tree will be well-emphasized when this prototype carving receives an oil finish!
This was presented at the Canadian Comedy Awards. It contains a 'magic eight ball' (the message appears on bottom) in honour of the late comedian, Phil Hartmann.
The client requested a walnut inlay into the table. The inlay is 3/16" deep, allowing for future sanding and refinishing of the table as it ages.
This carved leaf displays the name of a donor to a hospital expansion project in Northern Ontario. The final project may involve many carved leaves in total.
Commercial Signage
Commercial Signage is constructed out of a variety of different materials and is often installed outdoors, where the sun, rain and temperature are important considerations. Illumination is one of the main challenges with this type of work, and signs can be internally lit, with glowing, projecting letters, or Halo lit, with a glow around the letters and other elements. Raised letters, carved or stacked elements, and incised lettering are other ways to enhance the dimension and presence of these signs.
The central sign is internally illuminated, with the motif rendered with an outdoor mdf product called extira.
Custom-cut raised lettering, a sprayed background-gradient, and a painted milk can contribute to this sign's appeal
Braille plaques with tactile lettering are one of our specialties. We can produce great numbers of these units for public buildings, apartment complexes or condominiums, in keeping with established government specifications.
Paint Effects have a major impact on dimensional signs. This one has an incredible presence with its sprayed shadow and highlight.
Terney's Smoke Shop was given a facelift with cut letters and other elements stacked to build dimension.
The signage for this coffee shop in Elora was intended to accentuate the old building it resides in. Overhanging Signs are an effective way to garner attention for a business.
It was so large in the shop, at 8 feet in length. This sign was constructed of materials that have a 30 year shelf life.
The various elements of this signage, including the coloured rectangles are built for bright internal illumination with LEDs.
The large elm leaf featured in this design was carved from urethane foam to make it light weight and rot resistant.
Extira board, a resin-based outdoor wood-particle product, was successfully used for this overhanging sign.
Raised lettering and the incised details of the overhanging sign make this bakery stand out in a quaint location.
The client provided a photo of a trillium she had photographed, which was the basis for this carved version.
Trillium Main SignThis sign is about 14 feet long. It was carved from High Density Urethane. The undulating surface of the sign lends a desired feel to the business.
The convex design of this sign was cast using clear liquid plastics, and lights up a beautiful blue colour at night.
Raised, internally-lit letters, known as "push-through" letters, are common in corporate applications such as banks. Allow us to bring this modern look to your enterprise!
Shelby Super Snake Emblem This emblem was taken from a photo on a mustang car and redrawn. It is 4 feet tall, and 2 inches thick. The face of it is brushed metal.
Sandwich board signs with a warm invitation. The bronze border around the chalk board adds a subtle but effective accent in the sun.
This facade sign for the Ashanti Coffee Company was seamless, at 16' length. A welded aluminum frame made it both rigid and aided in installation.
The hard hat in this plaque was cast in a styrofoam mold we machined out of styrofoam. A special casting cement called 'winterstone' was used, impregnated with brass particles.
This apartment building sign sports a folded enclosure, custom paint and thick letters based on the client's logo.
We regularly produce lettering that is mounted directly to walls. It looks really good installed inside of this museum!
Freestanding and Internally lit, this sign is constructed of a series of translucent images separated by thick, clear acrylic.
The various layers, coupled with metallic finishes give the sign a strong sense of quality and value one would associate with the financial service.
This plaque denotes a geographic feature near a local town. It is made from corian countertop material.
Aunt Donkey's? This crazy sign was fun to create from the client's logo. It has plenty of dimension!
Some jobs are just fun. Creating a physical rendition of the cartoon 'fish taco' character brought a smile. We made a freestanding version as well!
House Signage
House signs are an expression of the home or cottage owner's pride. Often these signs are carved, sporting 3d emblems or even gold or copper gilding.
This interior sign was carved out of basswood. The design was inspired by the nick name of this gathering place!
House sign with Appliques The leaves and loon were carved and painted separately for this sign, and added afterwards
This cedar sign was created for the entrance to a trail. It will likely be allowed to age to a gray colour, without preservation, in keeping with the philosophy of the recipient.
Architectural Work & Contractor Projects
We offer architects and builders a reliable, scalable solution for elements to be installed in buildings.
Fern Wood Medallion Inlay: This is the first of many designs created to be inset into existing or new wood floors. The wear layer is approx. 1/2" thick hardwood, laminated onto baltic birch plywood. This allows for refinishing and sanding of the floor for the life of the building. The total diameter is about 45". Woods used are 2 types of Cherry, Walnut, Maple and Birch. The designs will all focus on Niagara Escarpment flora and Fauna.
These stair stringers are 14' long. The pocket-and-wedge system of assembly eliminates the need for squeaky hardware. The pockets are produced from scanned cross-sections of treads for a seamless, tight fit with much tighter tolerances than conventional methods.
Custom walnut trim and a carved wine bottle across the top made this wine cabinet really spectacular!
Even simple staircases, (pocketted together without squeaky fasteners) are both satisfying to work on and beautiful in their function.
Glueing up massive slabs and accurately machining in the plumbing is very satisfying - such a rugged material can still be very precise!
Torsion Box construction is used to create panels that are truly flat, by sandwiching a grid between flat 'skins' or panel. This one was used to build an excellent work table.
This custom cabinet was made to match existing furniture. It has sound dampening properties, as it houses a large magnetic resonance device that vibrates.
Arched Window: The trim and jamb for this window were entirely custom. Using a cross-section from a piece of existing trim, the same profile was used to make the curved piece. The jamb was bent around a curved template we supplied. The job was assembled and installed by Graham Dorfman of Iota Building
Custom trim panels for walls and coffered ceilings are well suited to our equipment and design capabilities.
The client supplied a collection of wood pieces he'd been saving. We provided design. The result was simple and stunning!
The flower of life graces the entrance to this meditation studio. We carved it from African mahogany.
This compass star inlay was used as the landing of a staircase. The points of the star correspond with the direction that the house faces.
Bathroom Floating Vanity: This was designed to mount onto brackets, so that it "floats" off of the wall. Without a pedestal the room feels larger, as the floor continues beneath it. The woods used are elm and mahogany. The finishing had not taken place at the time of this photograph.
Corian Countertop Inlay: A series of pieces of Corian (countertop material for kitchens and bathrooms) were cut to form this design, and glued together. The green part of it is translucent, and can be backlit. This would be great as a counter where the till is located at a business, using the business logo as artwork, or set into a bar top.