Custom Cabinetry Delivered from a Distance
When cabinet maker Matt Taine, owner of Rabbet Design, had to design and manage a complex project remotely, he needed a manufacturing partner he could trust.
Since starting Rabbet Design, a custom cabinetry, furniture and design studio based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Matt Taine has worked with Cutshop® on multiple occasions. By outsourcing manufacturing and labour to Cutshop®, Matt has been able to save time and free up space to focus more on design and project management.
In late 2024, Matt led the design and delivery of new kitchen and laundry cabinets for a home renovation project in Auckland’s Te Atatu Peninsula. This included refining the client’s original design to make optimal use of the space, along with managing the manufacturing, assembly, and installation processes.
“Our goal was to deliver high-quality, functional cabinetry for the client, bringing their design ideas and layout to life.”
One of the project’s key challenges was that Matt was piloting the Auckland-based project from his home in Christchurch. This required Matt to organise site measures remotely, using Cutshop®’s online ordering system to complete the design, before assembling everything onsite. With no opportunity to iron out any potential install issues in person, this meant placing a huge amount of trust in the Cutshop® Mt Wellington team.
To make the installation even more challenging, the 1960s weatherboard home featured an angled kitchen wall and tight access to the laundry and scullery areas through a narrow cavity slider. Matt’s previous experience collaborating with Cutshop® on several successful kitchen and built-in cabinetry projects gave him the confidence that, despite the challenging nature of the project, Cutshop® would deliver.
“I knew Cutshop® would be up to the task, and that they could have all the parts ready to go for me once I arrived in Auckland.”
The resulting cabinetry perfectly realises Matt’s vision, featuring Melteca melamine panels in ‘Vintage Walnut’, ‘Warm White’, and ‘Possum’ that artfully complement the space.
In looking to design cabinets that are sleek, silent, and highly functional, Matt opted for AvanTech’s YOU drawer system, with invisible screws and fixtures, paired with Hettich’s premium soft-close Sensys hinges.
“I was impressed at the level of control the software gave me over the cabinet details, which could be set at a high level, right down to individual components.”
With Cutshop®’s online ordering system, Matt had the freedom to either select his preferred hardware or choose to supply his own materials where needed, instantly producing an accurate quote once the design was signed off.
“Simon and the Cutshop® team are super helpful and great to deal with. I knew if any problems arose throughout the process, they’d be right there with a solution.”
To see more of Matt’s work, from home renovations and new builds to unique one-off projects, visit his Instagram page @rabbetdesignnz.
