In our commercialized culture, it's normal to accept whatever is on offer. But in your home, especially in older homes, that can feel like a compromise. It's as if you didn't quite get it right. Why not get it right? We specialize in designing elegantly well-fitted kitchens, bathrooms, and built-in structures that meet the contours of your home and your imagination.
Dream it. We can design it. Does an education in German cabinetmaking really make that much difference? It does, enough that we have founded our business on that very difference. It's a refined approach to design and proportion. It's an obsession with quality - every cut, joint, system of fastening, integrity of product, fit, and finish.
Dream it. We can design it. Does an education in German cabinetmaking really make that much difference? It does, enough that we have founded our business on that very difference. It's a refined approach to design and proportion. It's an obsession with quality - every cut, joint, system of fastening, integrity of product, fit, and finish.
Services
You can have the kitchen you want, designed for the way you cook and entertain. We'll create the most efficient solution for your space while maintaining an overall sense of beauty and coherence. Traditional or modern. For a large space or the more compact spaces often found in older homes. With elements from specific time periods if you wish.
Warm places to gather. Built-in units or standalone custom-made furniture can add an entirely new dimension to any room. Shelving can be designed to hold whatever you want that should be handy and artfully presented. Wooden doors can hide work spaces. Glass cabinets can showcase treasures. The beautiful details will remind you every day of the quality you've chosen to live with.
Fine millwork, a speciality of ours, bestows a sense of quality and character. People who live in older homes know the aesthetic pleasure of high baseboards, lovely crown mouldings, and substantial window and door frames. We have the tooling to create or duplicate almost any historical profile. Our flexible machinery handles runs of any size, from a few hundred feet for renovators to hundreds of feet for large commercial orders.
Our commercial work is well known in Guelph. We've created iconic seating, bars, counters, displays, reception areas, and other fixtures for a number of restaurants, retailers, and manufacturers. Design and functionality are prominent. Durability is built in. Customers are drawn to the obvious custom-made look and feel.
We love doing repair work. It combines our love of history with our skills as cabinetmakers. For our customers, skillful repair means that pieces of value - historical or sentimental - or perhaps furniture damaged in a move, can be brought back. You might have an old bed frame, table, or cabinet that needs work.
Reviews (17)
Tammy Smits
Jan 05, 2022
Report
The photos don’t do justice to the lovely desk and wall unit built and installed by Old World Woodworking. Uli took the time to listen to our wishes and design cabinetry that fit our needs and space. His team of installers were professional, respectful and meticulous. We had no issues during the whole process and would not hesitate to use Uli again for other projects.
Yvonne Howell
Sep 16, 2019
Report
I have worked with Uli on a variety of different projects over many years. I have also worked with many contractors and various tradespeople during that time, and Uli is by far THE BEST. I do not say this lightly. His attention to detail and work ethic is unparalleled. I have presented him with many challenges and he always comes back with interesting solutions to solve them. For example, he sourced a track system that could mount to the ceiling to accommodate two sliding canvases (he built the frames and sunk magnets into them so they would sit snug when closed in front of a TV. The artist used
Mary Tivy
Aug 14, 2019
Report
Uli and his team at Old World Woodworking are top notch in every way: designing, planning, scheduling, working the wood, building the cabinets and installing them. Their beautiful cabinetry and the millwork was done with meticulous care and installed on schedule. The team protected the work area and cleaned it every day. They worked respectfully and quietly. I can't recommend Old World Woodworking highly enough.
David Pitts
Aug 07, 2019
Report
Anne Cosentino Cavan
Jan 09, 2019
Report
Recently Old World Woodworking designed, built and installed a queen size Murphy (Wall) Bed for an office/guest room I was working on. I came to Uli with some photos of designs I liked and he created the perfect unit for the space. His team of craftsmen installed it efficiently and professionally making sure that it was secure, level (which was a… challenge in our 1950's home) and performed to perfection. This is a piece of furniture that we will take with us if we ever have to move, it is so well crafted and will stand the test of time (so very glad I did not cave to a bed in the box off
George Ivanoff
Jan 08, 2019
Report
We built a new home in Guelph and selected Uli to design, build and install the kitchen, which we think is the most important room in the house. We new it would cost a little more but we wanted something well designed, built to last and beautiful to look at. In designing the kitchen he paid close attention to how we work and what we valued. Because we are also both shorter people he made modifications to assist in our use of the kitchen. Every aspect shows the attention to detail and the
quality craftsmanship of the work. It is usually the highlight of any new visitor to our home. Every day we
quality craftsmanship of the work. It is usually the highlight of any new visitor to our home. Every day we
Elizabeth Cherevaty
Dec 25, 2018
Report
Uli captured our vision exactly. We wanted a modern, contemporary yet warm feel for our reception pieces, and an old-world European style herbal apothecary with a sink and work space reflecting the heritage of our botanical medicine traditions. Old World Woodworking team were the definition of professional from initial design through to installation. I love that our finishes are in a natural oil (toxin-free). Our patients love the warmth and style of the local Ontario solid elmwood cabinetry. Highly recommended.
Andrew Toms
Jul 12, 2018
Report
We've been repeatedly delighted with Uli and his team at Old World Woodworking. Whether keeping in style with your century home or a modern/Scandinavian built-in office, they can do it all. From the initial design consultations to the finished product, you won't be disappointed with the quality or service. Plus the extra little details that really make their work stand out.
Carol C.
Jul 08, 2018
Report
Kerry Seif
Jun 08, 2018
Report
We were referred by a friend's rave reviews about Uli and Old World Woodworking. The entire experience, from planning to installation, was excellent; timely and friendly. The outcome was, and is, absolutely perfect! Uli went out of his way to help us with our design issue. My kids are in heaven! Thanks Uli!
David Gundrum
Jul 29, 2017
Report
Uli and his staff are masters of their craft! Recently had a small job completed for new kitchen cabinet faces and shelving unit. New doors perfectly matched existing set to finish off our cabinetry for a 100+ year old Victorian-style home. If you need custom work that is precise and high-quality, talk to Old World Woodworking.
Susan Batten
Apr 03, 2017
Report
Susie English
Feb 09, 2016
Report
A copied and pasted review by Susan English, from Gary and Wynne Christie.
Many years ago Old World Woodworking was called upon to do some repair work at our factory located in the west end of the city. We were impressed as the work was done on time and on budget.
Later, knowing the quality of work done by Uli and his team, new sliding drawers… and a chopping block were installed in our kitchen at home. The drawers were installed by Uli, the chopping block was installed by his female employee, Irene.
More recently OWW was asked to replace the deteriorated bottom section of a wooden storm
Many years ago Old World Woodworking was called upon to do some repair work at our factory located in the west end of the city. We were impressed as the work was done on time and on budget.
Later, knowing the quality of work done by Uli and his team, new sliding drawers… and a chopping block were installed in our kitchen at home. The drawers were installed by Uli, the chopping block was installed by his female employee, Irene.
More recently OWW was asked to replace the deteriorated bottom section of a wooden storm
Ann Hollings
Oct 21, 2015
Report
Hi Uli - Our new door looks fantastic and perfectly suits our 1845 stone house. I want to thank you for the way you responded to our issues and your promptness in attending to problems with the door. The way a company deals with problems says as much about it as the quality of the work, and you have been great on both counts. Looking forward to our next project!
Brad Maybee
May 14, 2015
Report
The only thing one can say about Uli and his staff at Old World Woodworking & Millwork is that they are fabulous! Their skill and craftsmanship is absolutely incredible, and Uli is great at design. In our opinion, they are without a doubt the best in the Guelph area, and likely far beyond. Uli has worked on three projects for us. The first was… to design and build a large wall unit with integrated desk and file drawers, along with matching bookshelves for another wall. After several years, they still look and work great. Next we asked Uli to craft a new middle support leg (the original
Alastair McCluskey
Jan 05, 2015
Report
Chris Turcot
Jan 04, 2015
Report
