Square Maple Trestle Table
We had a 5’ x 5’ custom dining table designed and built by WoodZest owner Craig Jentz. We are 200% happy with the entire experience from start to finish. Craig is very professional and detailed. He kept us informed of the process and progress along the way including the source of the wood and the tools used in the shop. You won’t be disappointed with WoodZest!
Convertible Desk
I had a wonderful experience working with Craig. He has a beautiful sense of design. If you’re interested, he much enjoys collaborating with clients. I had been looking, it felt like forever, on the internet for a coffee table that would fit nicely in our 50s modernist house. After months of clicking through websites including for Article, Allmodern, Room and Board, Craigslist, Facebook, local midcentury-modern furniture stores, estate auctions and other sources, I started looking at the work of Minnesota woodworkers. I found a beautiful table of Craig's from a search. Drawing on this, Craig developed a model that we worked on together for a table that would pay homage to the contemporary sculptor Richard Serra. I think it’s gorgeous. We decided that a table where I could type and work was more pressing, so we focused on that. You can see the image right here on his site. It was so much fun to make! Given our space, something influenced by the shape of a grand piano seemed wise. We thought a lot about whether the ribbon should be light and the tabletop should be dark or vice versa, and what shape and how wide the legs should be. The ribbon connects to the Serra project. The table fits our home beautifully. Guests always admire it. Someone from Palo Alto was here today and spotted it, and so I got out the Serra model for him (he instantly noticed the piano reference). You can see that the table is admired. Note the photo of our dog!
Display Cabinet
Wood Zest is a phenomenal business and Craig (owner) is a master craftsman! I am thrilled with my custom cabinet to hold my grandmothers’ and mom’s treasures - Craig kept me informed throughout the process with pictures and details about the work - from sourcing the wood, to cutting planks, drying it, then creating the doors, shelves, and sourcing the lighting. It was a dream to see this created!
Art Nouveau Radiator Covers and Tables
As someone who enjoys working with artists to create custom home furnishings, I am writing this review to give a very enthusiastic recommendation for Craig Jentz of Woodzest. He is talented, skilled, and professional.
I don't commission run of the mill furnishings. Artists have turned me down because what I am asking for is too unusual, too difficult, or beyond their comfort zone. My first work with Craig was for a pair of side tables that hardly had a straight line or right angle. I also wanted an unusual veneer for the tops, and I wanted the tables to accommodate a particular pair of lamps. During the collaborative design process, we also decided one of the legs would extend up above the top of the table. Craig truly embraced the spirit of what I was looking for.
My second project with Craig was for custom radiator covers. This necessitated not only exact measurements for each radiator (nothing in a 100+ old house is square), but sourcing computer graphics and metal fabrication experts, both of whom turned out to be exceptional. The result is radiator covers more beautiful than any others I have ever seen. The happiness I feel when I look at them tells me that my money very well spent.
I have worked some terrific artists who were not particularly good businesspeople, so Craig's professionalism is a huge contributor to his value. His attention to detail, his listening skills, his communication skills - throughout these projects I never wondered or worried - I always knew what was happening and that we were on the same page.
I hope to work on many more projects with Craig. All of them will be unusual, and I want all of them to be exceptional. My experience is that Craig wants everything he creates to be exceptional as well. As for the unusual part, this artist is up for the challenge. My advice: contact Craig at Woodzest! Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. - Kelly O.
Metro Chic Dining Table
Craig created the most gorgeous, one-of-a-kind table for our dining room. He is professional, communicative, passionate and incredibly talented. We enjoyed the entire process, from design concept with models, to reading progress updates, to receiving our beautiful table this week. We highly recommend working with Craig for your custom wood furniture needs. He is a true artist!
Positive
Quality, Professionalism
Services
Table construction & installation, Delivery, Furniture design, Custom furniture
Table for Francisco Brazos al Cielo
The table is looking fabulous! And I love the blog – it makes it feel like I’m right there watching the table be created. This will be just as much a work of art as the sculpture that’s going to rest on it! - Michael D.
Boat Chairs
Craigs passion and excitement is so fun to witness when he is in his element. I had an idea, I presented, asked if he could make it and without hesitation he said "I can do that, sure". He made my vision come to life beautifully with much thought. Every detail was met when it comes to Wooden Boats. I can't express how pleased I am with my new "grandparents" chairs. They are a great conversational piece and a nice chair to swivel in while looking out at the lake with a cup of coffee. Thanks Craig, you did it again!
Positive
Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value
MN-6139 AL
Finding Craig for our cabinet project was a wonderful blessing. After searching for months and being disappointed by less than enthusiastic craftsmen, we found Craig who immediately knew what we were looking for. He took the time to understand our concept and was able to translate it into a beautiful creation that is now a family heirloom. His craftsmanship is impeccable and the cabinet turned out exactly as we had hoped. At every turn, he kept us informed on his progress on our project, and we loved the boundless enthusiasm that he brought to this task. He provided the right product at the right price, and was simply a joy to work with. Craig has our strongest possible recommendation for any woodworking project, and can be counted on to bring your vision to reality. Many thanks, Craig! - Bob and Cathy K.
Multiple Projects for Interior Designer
I have worked with Craig on a couple of custom tables for clients. He is a wonderful resource creating custom pieces at an affordable price. He is passionate about his craft, and it's obvious in the results. Looking forward to working with him again soon. :) Thanks Craig! - Tasha S.
Autumn Leaves Music Stand
Craig fabricated a custom music stand for me. The workmanship and quality far surpassed my expectations. The detail and craftsmanship were absolutely stunning, and I know WoodZest is very capable of designing custom projects to suit my decor. - Kathryn M.