By Kate Bartlett
Serving Chautauqua County, Cattaraugus County & Buffalo’s Southtowns, Amish Made Custom Cabinetry is making it easier than ever to get custom, Amish built cabinets. Offering solutions to homeowners and contractors alike, this veteran owned local business designs, delivers & installs cabinetry for any home renovation project.
Co-owners and founders husband and wife Justin and Brenna Nelsonboth grew up in the Chautauqua region (Brenna in Frewsburg, Justin in Randolph) and lived in various parts of the country before returning to the area after the pandemic. Justin served in the Army for four years and then began working in property maintenance, then home improvement and contracting in Phoenix, AZ, then Rochester, Ellicottville and now Chautauqua. Brenna has over a decade of sales & marketing experience.
“It all started when we accidentally flipped our first home,” says Nelson. “We used cabinetry built by local Amish craftsmen, and the quality blew us away. Plus, they were able to make our vision come to life since we weren’t constrained to standard cabinet sizes & configurations. We just thought—more people need to know about this.”
But the experience wasn’t without its challenges. “As amazing as the craftsmanship was, the process was tough,” they explain. “Traditional Amish builders don’t use phones, email, or design software, so trying to make design changes or keep track of timelines was really difficult. There was a huge communication gap.”
As Justin furthered his experience in working with a General Contractor in Ellicottville, his appreciation for Amish-made cabinetry grew. “As Justin worked with different products, he realized how well made the Amish cabinets truly are.” As a contractor, Justin decided he would solely work with Amish cabinetry due to their high-quality construction Justin and Brenna officially started Amish Made Custom Cabinetry in January 2024 in order to make these custom cabinets more accessible. In addition, they also incorporate professional design services and 3D renderings helping clients visualize their space before a single cabinet is built.
“Renovating is an investment in your home’s value, your space, and your quality of life,” explains Brenna. “It’s important to help our clients visualize their updates, imagining themselves in their new space, making changes where needed.” Typically, this technology is not utilized by the Amish, and therefore was not an option prior.
Amish cabinetry is regarded for its high-quality craftsmanship and solid wood construction. “Many mainstream manufacturers use particle board and other products that aren’t real wood and therefore not as durable or high-quality,” explains Brenna.
Over the years, the Nelson’s have built relationships with several Amish cabinet makers in the region and can attest to their work. “We know their work ethic as well as their product, and we have a good working relationship. We can find the best craftsman to complete the project, and help with communication along the way.”
Justin and Brenna have enjoyed this journey, building their company and their relationships with several Amish in the community. “We’ve learned a lot from them” explains Brenna. “They lead a simple life with very little stress–they’re always happy & great to work with. We’ve grown to appreciate this way of life, and it’s been a welcome discovery.”
For more information, visit amishmadecustomcabinetry.com, call or text (716) 708-6478, email hello@amishmadecustomcabinetry.com and follow on Instagram. Image gallery available on website.