Verified record
The company's website says its woodworking team has designed, created and installed custom kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, library cabinets and storage systems since 1967. A 2011 woodshopnews.com article described Michael Marion as the owner of Custom Wood Designs in Hampden, Mass., a shop that specializes in high-end kitchens. A 2025 customer said Mike, the owner, delivered their new kitchen and vanities, and that they then ordered their bedroom furniture from him as well. That 2025 customer said Mike was always answering calls, sending photos and updates, and offering design suggestions. A 2015 customer wrote that when they enlarged their kitchen, Michael built them black walnut cabinetry with a glazed island and a matching arched mantle surrounding their range. A 2013 customer listed a fireplace wall, two desks, an entertainment center, bookcases flanking a window seat with drawers below, a transitional kitchen and a modern bath with bamboo cabinets that Michael created in their home. A 2015 customer who worked with the company on multiple projects said the work always started and finished in the time Mike said it would be. A 2015 reviewer described a fairly large project in Northampton, Mass., where Mike worked with the clients to generate a plan that met their needs.
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Custom Wood Designs. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
A typical single-level deck is 12×16 — about 200 sq ft.
Estimated range
$7,750 – $14,500
Typical carpentry project around $11,100
“And that is the story of Michael Marion, owner of Custom Wood Designs in Hampden, Mass., a shop that specializes in high-end kitchens.”
Mike, the owner, was an absolute pleasure to work with and delivered outstanding quality on our new kitchen and vanities. We were so impressed with the craftsmanship that we decided to order our bedroom furniture from him as well! Throughout the entire process, Mike was incredibly responsive—always answering calls, sending photos and updates, and offering thoughtful design suggestions that I hadn’t even considered but made perfect sense in the end. Although his shop is two hours away from Cape Cod, the distance was never an issue. In fact, local options were often priced the same or higher, and the quality didn’t even come close. After spending countless hours in various showrooms, I could immediately see the difference. I can’t recommend Mike and his company highly enough. The quality is top-notch, and Mike is a true professional—reliable, creative, and a pleasure to work with. Thank you so much, Mike! I can’t wait to host you in my new dream kitchen!
I am very happy with the results of this project I have seen the details of refinishing kitchen table and four chairs set that Mike’s father had done many years ago The quality of the wood used and how it is put together shows craftsmanship in his work ethic I highly recommend Mike for any project including special projects Hampden is blessed to have a talented craftsman such as Mike
Mike and crew turn an idea into reality. Impeccable quality and looks that you're happy to show off whenever possible
We met Michael Marion of Custom Wood Designs, Inc. more than 20 years ago when we were looking to have a piece of furniture custom built for a unique storage/display concept. Since that time, Michael has designed and built several unique pieces for our homes as well as two fabulous custom kitchens. His design artistry and finished product are unmatched in our area. The difference between custom and “boxed” goods is like night and day and Michael’s expertise takes “custom” to another level! Although the kitchen in our previous house was OK to look at, it consisted of boxed cabinets attached together with spacers. All exposed ends were merely a wood grain photo finishes and the drawer fronts and boxes were merely tacked together. That kitchen's new maple cabinets were designed and built specifically for our walls and angles with attention to aesthetics. Every inch of cabinetry storage was maximized. All exposed ends have raised panels integrated into the construction of the cabinetry, not just tacked on after the fact. All drawers dovetail constructed with the state of the art gliding systems. Our newest home came with custom built white cabinets and when we significantly enlarged the kitchen, Michael built us black walnut cabinetry with a glazed island and matching arched mantle surrounding our range with fluted baluster features in the new area and he arranged to have a portion of our original white cabinetry glazed to tie the room together. Michael’s showroom is such a pleasure to visit and his studio and on-site design services are highly personalized and thoughtfully transacted. We’ve always been happy and proud to show-off Michael’s work in our homes to any/all prospective CWD clients. We can’t wait for another CWD project!
I have worked with Custom Wood Designs on multiple projects over the last few years. Mike is a true artisan who takes pride in his work. The work always started and finished in the time he said it would be, and any time we had a question or issue it was addressed immediately. Quality custom product and a pleasure to work with!
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2 changes recorded — last scanned Sep 29, 2026.
Walk-in shower conversion within budget3.9
Oak beam replacement4.4
Bathroom remodel ten years after the same kitchen4.3
Porch reconstruction2.6