Start your
commission

Fill out as much or as little as you know — I'll follow up within 48 hours with a quote and any questions. No commitment until you approve the price and timeline.

01
Submit this formDescribe your project, dimensions, and any inspiration photos you have.
02
Get a quoteI'll send back a price and build time within 48 hours. No obligation.
03
I build itProgress photos throughout. Pickup in Chapel Hill or Triangle-area delivery.
Species & color

The right wood
makes the right color

One of the most underrated decisions in a custom piece is species selection — not just for grain pattern or hardness, but for color. Each species has its own natural tone, and that tone is what you're going to live with every day.

White oak lands in that warm golden range — not yellow, not orange, just a clean, honest tan that pairs with almost anything. Walnut is the opposite end of the spectrum: deep chocolate brown that darkens over time and reads as genuinely luxurious. Ash comes in pale and almost creamy, great if you want something light and Scandinavian-feeling. Poplar is the wild card — green-tinted when fresh, settling into a quiet tan as it ages.

Tell me the color you're working toward, and I'll recommend the species that gets you there. Sometimes that's one wood, sometimes it's a combination — a walnut frame with an ash top, or a white oak slab with walnut inlay. The form below will help us figure it out together.

Ash
Pale cream to light tan. Tight, straight grain. Best value species in the shop.
Light  ·  $
Poplar
Greenish-tan when fresh, settles to a warm neutral. Great for painted or opaque finishes too.
Light–medium  ·  $
White oak
Warm golden tan with distinctive ray fleck. The most versatile species I work with.
Medium  ·  $$
Black walnut
Rich chocolate brown that deepens with age. Strong grain, premium look and price.
Dark  ·  $$$
Other species
Cherry, hard maple, hickory, cedar, pine, elm, and others available on request — pricing varies.
Varies  ·  ask
Step 1
Your contact info
I'll reach out to the phone or email below with a quote. Whichever you prefer.
Step 2
The project
As specific or as rough as you have it — we'll work out the details together.
inches
Rough estimates are fine — we can adjust during the quote process.
💡 Some things worth mentioning: What style is the rest of your furniture? Are there specific details you love (live edges, inlay, through-tenons, hairpin legs, box legs, etc.)? Any features you definitely don't want?
Step 3
Wood species & color
You don't need to know anything about wood to fill this out. If you have no idea what species you want, just pick a color tone below and I'll handle the rest — that's literally what I'm here for.
or pick a species you like
On a tighter budget?

Ash is one of the most underrated species I work with. It's pale and tight-grained — almost Scandinavian when finished with a matte oil — and it costs significantly less than white oak or walnut for the same size piece. The trade-off is it won't develop the same rich patina over time, but for a light, clean look it's hard to beat at the price. Ash also takes stain exceptionally well, which makes it one of the most versatile options I offer — if you want a warmer, darker, or more dramatic tone but don't want to pay walnut prices, stained ash can get you surprisingly close. If your budget is a concern, start by asking about ash.

I source primarily from NC mills but can work with other species on request — just ask. If you've seen a specific wood somewhere and want something similar, describe it here or include a photo below.
Very lightLightMediumDarkVery dark
Medium
This is the most useful thing you can tell me if you're not sure about species. Move toward the color family you're working toward.
For furniture I typically recommend Rubio or Odie's — both are penetrating oils that keep the wood feeling like wood, not plastic. Film finishes like poly add durability but sit on top of the grain rather than soaking in, which removes that raw tactile feel. If you're putting the piece somewhere it'll take heavy abuse (kids, kitchen), poly is worth discussing. Otherwise, oil finishes age better and are easier to touch up.
💡 Reference photos are the best way to communicate a look — upload them in the next step. Even a photo of your room or existing furniture helps.
Step 4
Inspiration & reference photos
Photos of pieces you love, your room, existing furniture, Pinterest screenshots — anything that communicates what you're after. Up to 6 photos.
Click to upload or drag photos here
JPG, PNG, WEBP · up to 6 photos · 10MB each
Photos are saved with your inquiry in the admin panel. They won't be lost.
Pinterest board, saved photos link, or Google Drive folder.
Step 5
Budget & timeline
Rough ranges are fine. If your budget doesn't match what the piece will cost, I'll let you know upfront so there are no surprises.

I'll respond within 48 hours with a quote and any follow-up questions. No commitment required.

✓

Inquiry received

I'll review your project and get back to you within 48 hours with a quote. Check the email address you provided — and your spam folder just in case.

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Questions first?

Email is the best way to reach me. If you'd prefer a call, leave your number in the form below and I'll call you back.

Email hello@grainandgritgoods.com
Location Chapel Hill, NC
Good to know

Custom pieces typically run 2–4 weeks from deposit to delivery. I'll quote a specific timeline with your estimate. Rush builds may be available — just ask.

Deposit & payment

I take a 50% deposit to start, balance due at completion. Payment by check, Venmo, or cash. Deposit is refundable if I can't complete the project.