Jason Straw Kitchen Cabinets and Custom Furniture

Reviews 4

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Daniel Sanchez

Jason Straw gets 5 stars from us. A Google search brought us to his web page. He earned at least one star by his prompt response (then, as well as every other time we communicated with him by phone or email). He was very easy to reach. We wanted a solution to fill an empty alcove in our Delray Beach condo. We got a quote for cabinetry from Home Depot, which proved expensive and too “kitchenish.” We looked at various retail table and desk options, but nothing worked. So we decided to try something custom. A few searches soon produced Jason. We already had a few unreturned email and phone messages out to other furniture fabricators. We put the same message out to Jason. His quick reply was refreshing, and almost immediately made us forget other candidates. Jason immediately set out to understand what we wanted, and the space we were working with. He asked for photos and measurements, and we talked about our general decorating scheme. Already he was getting to know us as people. We are notorious among those who know us for having specific tastes and preferences. Jason extensively discussed our present furnishings, as well as different woods, joints, and styles. We frequently relied on the pieces shown on his web page as a common design vocabulary. Throughout the process, we found Jason to be a patient listener, adept at hearing us and translating our vision into the practicalities of woodworking. After several communications, we arrived at an ideal design. It matched everything we wanted. Jason gave us a price, and we told him we would think about it overnight before committing. That night, we found ourselves discussing Jason as much as the table itself. We realized we had come to know the man and his design ethic. We felt we had a good sense of his integrity, and were prepared to invest in the man rather than the thing. We decided without further question to commission him, but to give him space we felt he merited. So instead of specifying a particular item, we simply stated a budget, trusting him to create something for us within that constraint. He thanked us for the trust and accepted the job. A few weeks later, we received the “Nakashima inspired writing table.” It exceeded any of our expectations, and was far more imaginative an original than anything we ourselves might have conceived. It is a table-desk, with many of the individual design elements that we initially discussed, integrated in a comprehensive design of simple elegance. It blends contemporary with traditional, refined with rustic, organic with precision -- all born of a profound and sensitive understanding of the material. Our table is one of those artistic things that, the more you look at it, the more is revealed -- subtle curves and interesting angles still emerge to us. We are very pleased each time we use it or pass by it, and we know generations of our family beyond us will feel the same way about this heirloom. Thank you to Jason and his shop for such a great design experience! Dan Sanchez and Candace Carver

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Grant McDougall

Let me begin by saying that I was somewhat skeptical when my wife indicated she was considering a custom woodworker for our master bath remodeling project. I assumed it would be cost-prohibitive and too time consuming. Now that our project is complete, I am happy to say I could not have been more wrong. From the moment we met Jason at his shop (a grown man’s candy store in my opinion), I was struck by his passion for his work and his attention to details. Throughout the process, I remained focused on quality and craftsmanship while my wife focused on design, functionality, and aesthetics. Jason’s finished products exceeded both of our expectations. He and his staff installed the cabinets and custom wall mirror with the same preciseness and attention to details that they displayed in there woodworking. His employees were courteous, professional and punctual. Perhaps most surprising to me was how competitively he prices his products and services. We visited most every custom cabinet maker in the area, as well as the big box stores. I refused to pay thousands of dollars for cabinet construction that included stapled drawers, inferior drawer slides, and below average materials. I was very surprised to find that Jason’s prices were only slightly higher than the big box, not-so-custom, stores and in most cases less expensive than other custom cabinet makers. His quality and craftsmanship is second to none. If you are skeptical, as I was, I encourage you to visit Jason’s shop and spend some time with him discussing your needs. I believe you will not only be impressed with his skills and competitive pricing, but also recognize his passion for the art of woodworking. In my opinion, he is fine furniture maker, an artist, who happens to also make cabinets. He was an all-around pleasure with which to collaborate on our project.

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David Y

I purchased Jasons Poul Jensen Z-Inspired solid walnut chair. I discovered the chair through eBay and really liked it, but the price was a little out of range of what I normally spend on furniture. However, I was drawn to its solid construction, craftsmanship, quality materials and design aesthetic. I kept going back and forth whether to shell out the dough. I emailed Jason a few questions and he told me to give him a call any time if I had any additional questions. I called Jason and asked him about 20 questions about everything from joinery techniques to shipping. Jason happily and thoroughly answered all of my questions honestly and directly; he told me the truth, not what he thought I wanted to hear. I decided to take the plunge and purchase the chair. The chair was delivered with the white glove treatment today, wrapped in a blanket. When the blanket was removed I was 100% sure that I had made the right decision to purchase the chair. One thing I will say is photos of Jasons work do not do the actual piece justice. The chair looked even more substantial and solid than in the photos. I am completely OCD when it comes to stuff, and even a little scratch would make me lose sleep. The chair was in immaculate condition. I am glad I invested in a truly heirloom quality hand-made piece. More people should support the few independent craftsman like Jason. He is putting objects into the world embodying a rare commitment to craftsmanship and way of living just as much as serving a utilitarian function.

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Ghislaine Carr

I simply love the four pieces these guys created for me! Each commissioned piece surprised me - in a wonderful way. Jason has a calm intensity about how he approaches his design that leads to easy communication of ideas. He captured what I was looking for before I was able to fully articulate it. The recovered cypress dining room table is the perfect fusion of form, feel, and function. The walnut bench doesn’t match- matching sets aren’t for me- but rather beautifully complements the table. The forms are slick; the design is ergonomic; the wood is stunning. Jason’s Brain Matter ebony carving mounted on the wall provides a mesmerizing focus point when the mind is allowed to drift. The three pieces merge as a perfect grouping – simple complexity, craftsmanship, and artistry; a welcoming place to eat, drink, read, write, or simply sit and talk. For the latest piece, Jason found an unusual wood, marbled Padauk. The flowing grain and the juxtaposition of honey-colored sapwood with reddish-brown hardwood are just as striking as the surreal design of the floating entertainment console. Jason, Neil, and Patrick’s execution and delivery are both professional and personable. The team has tremendous creative energy and camaraderie. Their pieces are unique, their quality is outstanding, their fees are very reasonable, and they are a pleasure to work with. I have only praises for them. Thank you again guys!

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