Challenge the norm.
When Cabinet Maker Matt Taine decided to start his own business he knew he wouldn't be able to go it alone.
Specialising in "a little bit of everything", Matt from Rabbet Design works with his customers to design, build and install cabinetry and furniture. He can renovate most things, including kitchens, bathrooms and even letterboxes.
Matt's background in graphic design makes him highly specialised for the job. He enjoys "challenging the norm" with unique and quirky concepts.
Matt works with Cutshop to outsource the manual labour side of his business - that way, he doesn't have to pay for additional workshop space and equipment.
“While things are bubbling away with Cutshop I can be working on other stuff in the workshop - it’s not here taking up extra space.”
It also saves on time - something that is hard to come by when single-handedly running your own business.
“Without Cutshop I’d be at a bit of a loss. I’d be doing less cabinetry stuff and trying to focus more on furniture. I’d be doing a lot more manual work on a saw - it would be pretty tedious.”
Recently he completed a kitchen renovation at a home in Auckland's Point Chevalier, which featured floor to ceiling cabinetry made from prime melamine. The cabinets - in 'Dezigna White' - are flush against the wall, and the resulting look is simply stunning.
Matt says the cabinets are handleless, but can be opened just by pushing on them.
At the request of his client, he installed extra cupboards above the stove area, also in prime melamine, but in a 'Tahoe Walnut’ colour.
At another home, in Kingsgate, Matt asked Cutshop to create 'custom grooved panels' to make up the foundation for a unique kitchen island. Again, Prime Melamine was the material of choice.
At another home, in Kingsland, Matt asked Cutshop to create custom grooved panels - which wrap a curved base - to make up the foundation for a unique kitchen island. MDF was the material of choice, and spray paint was used to give it a sleek, modern look.
“It’s a great example of me sending a design to Cutshop that’s a bit out of the ordinary and them going with it and making it work.”
Matt says he enjoys working with the team at Cutshop, primarily because of their can-do attitude and willingness to help.
“They are really flexible. I can send through pretty bespoke cabinetry layouts, designs and quirks.”
Matt works with a range of clients, including private homeowners and developers.
More of his work can be viewed on his Instagram page @rabbetdesignnz.
