--- title: "Kerf Design — Cabinets & Cabinetry | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/cabinets-and-cabinetry/kerf-design-pfvwus-pf~2113964896 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2113964896.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Kerf Design" category: ["Cabinets & Cabinetry"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/529375a90fe8aaf5_8767-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "3635 Thorndyke Ave W. Unit A, Seattle, Washington 98119, United States" latitude: 47.6379 longitude: -122.3643 phone: "(206) 954-8677" website: http://www.kerfdesign.com rating: 5 review_count: 21 best_of_houzz_awards: 5 followers: 271 last_updated: 2026-08-31 --- # Kerf Design Original Houzz profile: [Kerf Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/cabinets-and-cabinetry/kerf-design-pfvwus-pf~2113964896) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Cabinets & Cabinetry - **Location:** Seattle, WA - **Serves:** Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kirkland, Shoreline, Bothell, Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island, Kenmore, Inglewood-Finn Hill, Bryn Mawr-Skyway, White Center, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville, Kingsgate, Newcastle, Manchester, Suquamish, Indianola, Clyde Hill, Medina, Southworth, Beacon Hill, Yarrow Point, Beaux Arts Village, Hunts Point, Ballard, Fairmount Park, Gatewood, North Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, Riverview, Rollingbay, South Colby - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (21 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2022), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Kerf Design is a custom furniture and cabinet shop based in Seattle, Washington. Our work implements a unique system of joinery and an aesthetic that has grown from our love of plywood and plastic laminate. We work one-on-one with you to design specific solutions for your residential or commercial spaces. Kerf Design was created by Nathan Hartman in 1999. Nathan studied industrial design at RISD before moving to Seattle in 1993. He lives in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood with his wife and two children. ### Services Provided - Custom Cabinets - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Custom Built-ins - Custom Bookcases - Custom Shelving ### Areas Served - Seattle - Bellevue - Renton - Kirkland - Shoreline - Bothell - Mercer Island - Bainbridge Island - Kenmore - Inglewood-Finn Hill - Bryn Mawr-Skyway - White Center - Lake Forest Park - Woodinville - Kingsgate - Newcastle - Manchester - Suquamish - Indianola - Clyde Hill - Medina - Southworth - Beacon Hill - Yarrow Point - Beaux Arts Village - Hunts Point - Ballard - Fairmount Park - Gatewood - North Beacon Hill - Rainier Valley - Riverview - Rollingbay - South Colby ### Typical Job Cost $4,000 - 50,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Kerf Design | | Address | 3635 Thorndyke Ave W. Unit A, Seattle, Washington 98119, United States | | Phone | (206) 954-8677 | | Website | http://www.kerfdesign.com | | Followers on Houzz | 271 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/kerfdesign - Blog — http://www.kerfdesign.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Kerf Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/cabinets-and-cabinetry/kerf-design-pfvwus-pf~2113964896) - **Website:** http://www.kerfdesign.com - **Phone:** (206) 954-8677 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2022), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 21 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — wploomis, March 2022** > Kerf was amazing to work with in terms of both design and construction. They were very responsive and quickly remedied any minor issues discovered during installation. Kerf made our dreams of a colorful mid century modern kitchen come true! **★★★★★ — eichlerlove, Nov. 2021** > I highly recommend Kerf's cabinetry. We held off on starting our remodel and waited several months for Kerf's kitchen cabinetry to be made and it was absolutely worth the wait! I love how Kerf incorporates a client's customization into their beautiful cabinetry such as our paper towel holder, Costco-sized spice drawer, Kitchen Aid mixer pop-up stand, and a knife block. I am all for supporting such talented and hard-working employees at Kerf Design; their cabinetry is high quality and fits perfectly in any type of home, Eichler, Craftsman, Modern, etc. Kerf's cabinetry is our kitchen's wow factor. > > Each day is a smile to walk into our kitchen and see and use Kerf's beautiful and classic workmanship. Nathan is easy and excellent to communicate with and we had such a great experience working with him and his employees. I highly recommend contacting them for their design and cabinetry services for your kitchen, bathroom, office, or storage in your home. **★★★★★ — glittercat13, March 2020** > These guys made us such an amazing desk. They are professional talented nice and just an absolute pleasure to work with. Support your local makers, like Kerf. **★★★★★ — Lance Wilson, Oct. 2016** > We worked with Kerf on custom kitchen cabinets, master vanity, floating media center and built in office desk and storage and we couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Kerf was absolutely phenomenal to work with. Their service was some of the best I have experienced anywhere. They worked closely with us on custom designs providing detailed renderings and drawings. Their work is simple and beautiful, and the quality and craftsmanship of their product is top notch. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to make anything custom out of plywood. We will definitely be using them again when we remodel our other bathroom. **★★★★★ — Marjorie Masel, Sept. 2016** > I am so very happy with my new kitchen cabinets made by Kerf, Nathan Hartman and crew. To start with Kerf was already making exactly the kind of cabinet I was looking for. I wanted 3/4 inch plywood as I was tired of the “bowing”. I wanted drawers that opened gracefully. I wanted top-notch craftsmanship. > > Beyond function I wanted cabinets that would be interesting to look at. > I did not want door handles; I wanted flat surfaces with cutouts. I wanted some splash of bright color. Kerf was already doing this. > > Kerf took my vision further by using the striping of the plywood as a design element. On top of that they allowed my quirky twist on their design. So often when working with top end designers “it’s their way or the highway.” I have my own ego about design. I wanted asymmetry wherever possible. I wanted the shapes and sizes of the cabinets to vary, in the end to appear as if Mondrian or Rietveld were in the conversation. Kerf (designer Cory Lambert) delivered. No one seemed insulted when I tweaked their designs. Kerf designed a clever answer to covering a vent pipe without compromising door shapes. > > Additionally I had slate on my floor that I wanted to color-match with the new cabinets. Kerf did not have “in-house” laminate that was the color of the slate, but they went the extra mile to find that color from an outside vendor. > > Kerf gave me a reasonable time-line and kept to the schedule. > > In the end, AFTER installation, picky me decided to make some changes. I requested Kerf to re-make one cabinet to have more depth and I wanted some additional cut-outs. > > Perhaps they were cursing on the shop floor, but I saw nothing but smiles. And can you believe it, they are willing to take me on again for some bedroom furniture! > > Marjorie Masel **★★★★★ — lindaosh, March 2016** > Kerf Design did kitchen cabinets and a built--in entryway piece that included a coat closet, shoe drawer and storage shelving. They did an absolutely beautify job--from design through installation. I can't say enough good things about working with them; they were timely, responsive to questions and changes of mind, and fun to work with. They had great ideas in terms of looks and functionality, and the end result is not your ordinary look. The attention to detail in the cabinetry itself is exquisite and they are not afraid of incorporating color into their work. As an example or their level of detail, the entryway shelving was meant to hold pieces of art glass. They actually had me measure the pieces so that they could design shelf spaces that enclosed and displayed them to greatest effect. Not inexpensive but well worth the price. **★★★★★ — shjohnson007, March 2016** > The folks at Kerf were great to work with and we came up with a design that stayed in our budget, looks great and is functional beyond what I had hoped for. These folks believe in (and love) what they do and it shows! > > You can see more pictures at: > http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/63171701 **★★★★★ — CASA creative, Feb. 2016** > Designing a new kitchen and an entry way built-in was seamless with Kerf Design. Shara was very responsive and professional and I believe the my client received more than she dreamed of. I will definitely be recommending Kerf when the occasion arises. **★★★★★ — Satterberg Desonier Dumo Interior Design, Inc., Nov. 2015** > I am an interior design professional in Seattle and have worked with Kerf Design on several projects over the years. I have always found them to be very knowledgable and friendly. They do excellent work, complete projects on time and are great communicators. **★★★★★ — Yuko Enomoto, Jan. 2015** > When we began planning our kitchen remodel, we looked at several cabinetmakers and kerf was just one of them. I'm glad we finally went with kerf. They work hard and fast -- from initial design consultation to building, the entire process was easy and smooth. We will go with kerf again for our future bathroom remodel. **★★★★★ — joanakao, July 2013** > We love our Kerf kitchen! We started with a Kerf bath vanity couple of years ago, then a bench for our entry, and now an entire kitchen. We didn't change the layout of our kitchen, but because the cabinets are well designed we gained so much more storage. We couldn't be happier with the attention to details and quality of the cabinets. The people at Kerf were wonderful to work with, they kept our budget in mind and made sure everything turned out the way we liked. Highly recommend them! **★★★★★ — jennywhitmer, Dec. 2012** > We bought a new (old) home in 2010. The kitchen hadn't been touched > since the 1930's, was the size of a postage stamp, and was in desperate > need of a makeover. It was going to take some creative genius to get > everything to fit and still be left with any amount of workable > space. Enter the amazing team at Kerf Design. > > I had seen their beautiful, meticulous work in the media and in > shops/ restaurants around town and had dreamed of hiring them for a > project if I ever had the chance. I was a little worried about > approaching them with our modest project and budget, but I finally bit > the bullet and called. > I am so glad I did. > > They listen and are patient during the decision making process. > They are accurate, honest and fun to work with. > They are excellent estimators. > They know the meaning of a timeline. > They answer questions and return calls promptly, and their work SHINES. > > Our once embarrassing kitchen is now a functional work of art. After living with it now for two years, I wouldn't change a thing. > > It is rare to find this level of talent and work ethic rolled into one package. I recommend Kerf Design with flying colors. ## Selected projects - [Bookcases by Kerf Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bookcases-by-kerf-design-pj-vj~61289) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Freestanding Furniture by Kerf Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/freestanding-furniture-by-kerf-design-pj-vj~2043118) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Bathrooms by Kerf Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathrooms-by-kerf-design-pj-vj~61279) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Cindy and Mike's house](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cindy-and-mike-s-house-pj-vj~2040439) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 8 - [Josh and Katherine's house](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/josh-and-katherine-s-house-pj-vj~2040443) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 13 - Description: We completed this project in 2005. What started as a remodel of a single bathroom soon grew into an entire house full of cabinets. We worked with Shed Architects in the updating of the residence originally designed by Seattle modernist Ibsen Nelsen. - [Elsie's kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/elsie-s-kitchen-pj-vj~2040442) - Location: Brooklyn, NY - Photos: 4 - [Michael's House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/michael-s-house-pj-vj~2042500) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Jenny's Eichler](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/jenny-s-eichler-pj-vj~2042563) - Location: Mountain View, CA - Photos: 3 - [Sharon's Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sharon-s-kitchen-pj-vj~2042517) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 5 - [Rory's Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rory-s-stairs-pj-vj~2040427) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 2 - [Leslie's Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/leslie-s-kitchen-pj-vj~2040403) - Location: Vashon, WA - Photos: 2 - [San Jose Eichler](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-jose-eichler-pj-vj~2039861) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: A full cabinet package for a remodel of a South Bay Eichler house. - [2016 Desert Eichlers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/2016-desert-eichlers-pj-vj~1662083) - Location: Palm Springs, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Kerf has been working with KUD Development on their Desert Eichler development in Palm Springs. KUD is building “original Eichler homes modernized for today’s living enjoyment.” Three homes have been completed to date: two Claude Oakland designed A-frames and one flat roof design by Anshen+Allen. We are so proud to be a part of this exciting revival of the classic homes. - [Contemporary kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-kitchen-pj-vj~97306) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 4 - Description: This contemporary kitchen was designed for the most efficiency in a small space. Cabinetry by Kerf Design, construction by Chermak Construction. - [Kerf Wall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kerf-wall-pj-vj~98056) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: http://kerfdesign.com/kerfwall/ [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/cabinets-and-cabinetry/kerf-design-pfvwus-pf~2113964896) ## Ideabooks - [kerfdesign's Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18690561/list/kerfdesign-s-ideas) — 1 idea [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kerfdesign) ## Community Q&A **Q: Beautiful! Backsplash tile source and color, please?** *(in Photo Questions)* Thank you! A: Hi @merlgirl1, We worked with Kudlac Properties for this project. Try getting in touch with them to see if they have an answer to your backsplash question. Thanks! **Q: where are the lighting fixtures from?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi K, Sorry we don't know who made those sconces! We made the cabinets. **Q: Light above mirror?** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me were the light is from above the mirror? Thanks. A: Hey Tyspoon6060. Sorry, we don't know who manufactures that light, we only built the vanity in the photo. **Q: Nice looking flooring! What is the size and material of the tiles?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: We did the cabinetry for the place, but I'm 95% sure it is a cast concrete floor. **Q: Love the vanities! Who makes the sinks and faucets?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi Karen. This project happened about 12 years ago, but I remember that the sinks were a simple pedestal sink from Home Depot or Lowes, with the pedestal removed. However, I think they went out of production shortly afterwards. The architect was on a tight budget so I wouldn't be surprised if the faucets were also a big box store item. Sorry we couldn't be more of a help. **Q: Flooring** *(in Photo Questions)* Lovely bathroom. What is the flooring used? Thanks A: Hi there, It's called Terrazzo tile. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-31.*