Workshop interior with painted furniture and tools
Oakland, California

We Don't Build Furniture.
We Build the Piece
You've Been Thinking About.

Custom cabinetry and hand-finished furniture, made in our Oakland workshop. Every joint is cut by hand, every surface is sanded until it catches the light just right — because the things you live with should be as deliberate as the life you're building.

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15+ Years in Oakland
500+ Pieces Finished
100% Handcrafted
What We Do

Every Room Deserves
Intentional Design

From a single statement piece to a full kitchen renovation, we bring the same standard of craft to every project.

Custom Cabinetry

Kitchens, bathrooms, built-ins, and storage solutions designed around your space and your life. Solid wood construction, soft-close hardware, finishes that last decades.

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Furniture Making

Dining tables, bookshelves, beds, and statement pieces — each one cut, joined, and finished by hand in our Oakland workshop.

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Refinishing & Restoration

Breathe new life into inherited pieces or tired favorites. Stripping, repair, repainting — we preserve character while giving furniture a second act.

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Color Consultation

Not sure which plum, which amber, which finish? We help you choose colors and materials that work with your space, your light, and your taste.

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Close-up of hand-painted cabinetry with rich plum finish
Woodworking tools and raw lumber in the Oakland workshop
Our Process

From a Sketch on a Napkin
to a Heirloom Piece

We don't rush. Every project begins with a conversation — about how you live, what you need, and what excites you. Then we draw, we model, we refine. By the time your piece leaves our workshop, it's been shaped by real use-cases, not trend cycles.

01

Consultation

We visit your space, discuss your needs, and take measurements. No pressure, no upselling — just honest advice.

02

Design & Color

We create detailed plans and help you choose materials, woods, and finishes that match your vision.

03

Build & Finish

Your piece is cut, joined, sanded, and finished by hand in our Oakland workshop. We don't outsource.

04

Delivery & Install

We deliver and install with care — making sure everything fits perfectly and looks exactly as planned.

Our Work

Pieces That Earn Their Place

A selection of recent projects from our Oakland workshop — each one built for a real home, by real hands.

Custom kitchen with deep plum cabinetry and brass hardware
Kitchen

Plum & Brass Kitchen

Floor-to-ceiling oak bookshelf with amber paint accent
Built-In

Amber Accent Shelving

Live-edge dining table with hand-painted base in plum
Furniture

Live-Edge Dining Table

Custom bathroom vanity with warm amber finish
Bathroom

Amber Vanity

Entertainment unit with mixed plum and natural wood tones
Living Room

Mixed-Media Entertainment Unit

Don't see what you're looking for? Every piece we make is custom — your project is next.

Tell Us About Your Project
About Us

A Workshop on Alder Street
Since 2009

The Painted Cupboard started as a one-person operation in a garage — one table, one sanding block, and a stubborn belief that furniture should be built to outlast trends. Fifteen years later, we're still in Oakland, still hand-building every piece, and still turning down work that doesn't meet our standard.

Our workshop sits on East Alder Street, where you can sometimes hear the sanders running and smell the finish curing. We source domestic hardwoods, mix our own paint colors, and treat every joint like it's going in a house we might one day live in.

Solid hardwood — no particle board
Made in our Oakland workshop
Low-VOC finishes, sustainable sourcing
5-year warranty on all work
The Painted Cupboard workshop interior with finished furniture
Kind Words

What Our Clients Say

"They transformed our kitchen into something we actually enjoy spending time in. The plum cabinets are the talk of every dinner party. Worth every penny and every day of the wait."

M
Marina S. Kitchen Renovation, Oakland

"Brought them an ugly 1970s dresser and walked out with a piece that looks like it came from a design magazine. The color matching was spot-on — they even recreated a shade from a photo I had."

J
James T. Restoration Project, Berkeley

"Professional from start to finish. They showed up on time, kept the workspace clean, and the custom bookshelves they built fit our awkward alcove perfectly. Highly recommend."

S
Sarah L. Built-In Shelving, Oakland

Have a Project in Mind?

Whether it's a single piece or a full room, we'd love to hear about it. Stop by the shop, give us a call, or send us an email — no commitment, just a conversation.

Get a Free Quote Call 130-153-30097
Get in Touch

Let's Build
Something Together

Fill out the form and we'll get back to you within 24 hours. Or reach us directly — we're happy to chat.

Visit Us

214 E Alder St
Oakland, CA 21550

Call Us

130-153-30097

Hours

Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Sun: Closed

We typically respond within 24 hours during business days.

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