Early on, when he was just a teenager, Jonas Stoltzfus got his start in the cabinetry industry installing stock cabinets right out of the box. Seeing how these would often fall apart and lacked any originality, Stoltzfus says he was intrigued. He knew he could build a better cabinet. In time, that dream became a reality and today, Stoltzfus owns Sweet Water Woodworks LLC,  with a showroom in Narvon, Pa. Stoltzfus says it’s incredibly rewarding helping clients create cabinetry and other woodworking designs that perfectly suit their home.  

While there’s no question that homeowners have a lot of choices when it comes to choosing cabinetry, it’s the customization and the unique customer experience that help set Sweet Water apart. The company’s history is also steeped in the   Amish tradition of quality and the value of having handmade pieces that can  become timeless additions to the home.

 “We’re a smaller company, so we’re really focused on providing excellent customer service,” says Stoltzfus. “That’s something that can be hard to find these days. But when you work with us, it’s a very hands-on experience. We’re not just purchasing our cabinets from a large manufacturer and delivering you something  from a warehouse. We’re manufacturing and installing our own cabinetry.” 

That makes the possibilities nearly endless.  With everything being custom made, the homeowner has unlimited options in terms of what they want to create. In a time when it often feels as though we can’t escape those cookie-cutter looks, this is one of the best ways to have something truly unique.   With custom-designed woodworking, you can infuse true originality into your home. 

 “Homeowners can bring ideas to us and we can help create exactly what they’re looking for,” Stoltzfus says. “People like the process of finding photos and ideas that they like but then working their own ideas into the mix.”  

In the process, Stoltzfus is combining homeowner ideas with his more than 20 years of experience—knowing what works and what doesn’t—in order to create the ideal design. Of course, this is not just for kitchens but for any room of the house. Beyond kitchen cabinetry, Stoltzfus is also creating original bathroom vanities, library and home office wall units, mudroom  benches and storage units, laundry organization, custom entertainment centers and more. Stoltzfus says they’re also creating decorative details in each  of these spaces to add a truly original touch. This includes custom interior shelving, corbels, carved insignia, detailed molding, custom range hoods and anything else a homeowner can dream up.  

A lot of Stoltzfus’ creations mean custom solutions, too. Custom-designed pull-out cabinetry for spices and for trash cans are two popular options in kitchens. With so many people working from home, there’s also been a surge for  unique office desks with the ultimate organization and hidden storage. But Stoltzfus says that the solutions can be anything that the homeowner is seeking for their specific space.

While there’s no question that custom design is all about homeowners’ unique wants and needs, Stoltzfus also makes a point to keep up with the latest trends. Right now, he says that white and  gray cabinetry are continuing to trend. These are classic looks that won’t go out of style.

 “Most homeowners are looking for a simpler, cleaner look these days,” Stoltzfus says. “We’re seeing a lot of big, open space layouts where homeowners want to truly make the most of their space. Custom cabinetry can play an essential role with this.”   

In terms of installation, Stoltzfus is using a very trusted contractor who installs 90 percent of their work.

 “We get a lot of great comments from our customers about our install crew, he says. “When they show up to install the cabinets, it doesn’t take customers long until they are at ease and actually like having them in their houses. Some homeowners say they are like family by the time they are finished with  the install.”

For instance, Skip and Terry Hewett of Kennett Square say they are celebrating five years of having a beautiful and very well-designed kitchen by Sweet Water Woodworks.

 “All of our cabinets and drawers operate and function as well as when they were first installed and all the cabinetry still looks like fine furniture inside and out,” the couple says. “We recently noticed a small area that appeared to have a finish problem happening, and with attention and expert workmanship, Sweet Water repaired it quickly. The finish is perfect and matches exactly. We were told when we signed the contract that Sweet Water stood behind their work if there was a problem not due to wear or abuse and they did with a smile. We’re so happy and satisfied after ‘wear and use’ testing.”  

Stoltzfus says that because homeowners work with Sweet Water every step of the way, they’re able to ensure that craftmanship is seamless from the manufacturing through the installation.

 “The process starts with the initial consultation and material selection and goes all the  way through the manufacturing to the installation,” he says. “Because of this, we can guarantee our work throughout the lifetime of the product.”

Sweet Water Woodworks, LLC
Narvon, Pa. | (610) 273-1270 | SWWoodWorksLLC.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 21, Issue 3 (October 2020). 
For more info on House & Home magazine, click here. 
To subscribe to House & Home magazine, click here. 
To advertise in House & Home magazine, call 610-272-3120.