Cut Above Wood Designs

05/23/2026

05/23/2026

This kitchen renovation took a bit to happen, sometimes that’s just the way it is. The results however seem to be worth it. A tremendous amount of creative thought and patience went into this home on riverside drive in South Bend IN. I wish I could tell you how old the home is, but I can’t, but I believe to be early 1900’s. The contractor worked tirelessly to correct many structural issues that were present, and we changed many design concepts as the project unfolded. This is now a space that is welcoming, warm, and very functional. Custom at every 👀 look

04/23/2026

Here’s a master bath built in we just made and installed. This is a “ flanged “ unit. It has its own self trimming frame and fits tight into a wall opening. This has full inset doors and drawer fronts, and is finished with a clear coat for cleaning and durability.

04/10/2026

A nice powder room vanity we made and installed, in a stained birch. We flip flop the drawer to the bottom on these, and that gives you a full drawer to use where conventionally you’d have no drawer at the top, or skinny drawers in the side. This also features a birch countertop as well.

04/10/2026

A great use of space, this mudroom bench. The stained birch seat counters the white cabinetry nicely. Ful extension soft closing drawers at the bottom, storage space at the top, and coat hooks in the locker area.

04/06/2026

Here’s a few pictures of various cabinets we designed, built and installed in Notre Dame IN. Along with a kitchen in tricorn black, we did a main floor tv center, a basement tv center, a kitchenette, a mudroom bench, and some vanities. All were done in a full inset door style.

03/26/2026

A very spacious, user friendly, and beautiful kitchen we were honored to build and install in Granger IN. Painted in white dove, and featuring our “Carolina “ flat panel doors. Every attempt is made here to create furniture, not just boxes thrown in the walls. Soft closing doors and drawers, beautiful honey bronze hardware. A few details left but wanted to show it off. Custom swoop range hood with full low volt under cabinet lighting , cleanly integrated into the cabinetry.

03/25/2026

A fireplace shelf and cabinet build we just finished installing. These are 2 1/4” thick birch floating shelves. The cabinets are shaker style with a custom alkyd finish done entirely in our shop. The countertops are also birch, custom stain color. No particle board or fiber wood, these are real birch and maple. Cases are made of 3/4” thick birch plywood. Check out your box store cabinets, see who’s using 3/4” plywood sides…. No one.

03/12/2026

A video of the bunk room furniture we designed, made and installed in Maui. Kids of all sizes will enjoy this!

02/18/2026

Today we show you the process of installing a custom range hood on a granite wall. We worked with Zstone of South Bend to make this beauty. We’ll show you the process here.

If you order a hood surround pre made online or elsewhere, it comes in one piece, you have to hook up the exhaust pipe and electrical after installing the hood, nearly impossible. Ask any contractor who’s done this, it’s a nightmare.

The secret is to make it accessible. That’s how we do them at Cut Above Wood Designs. We do this in 2 pieces, first we have a one piece back and platform. This is mounted first and provides accessible structure to install the fan, ducting, and electrical after installing. Once the mechanicals are installed, then the glory comes when we attach the decorative cover. In this case a beautiful walnut hood. This is attached inconspicuously with a few trim screws at the back.

The other challenge here was drilling the stone out ( at the studs) so our mounting screws could tap into the studs. This was a coordinated effort with Zstone. We think it was worth the effort!