Custom Woodworking

From decorative trimwork to built-in custom home theater units, the design specialists at M.J. Whelan are dedicated to helping you make your home your own. Our professional design team is committed to providing design excellence with superior Old World craftsmanship to ensure that your home is just as unique as you are

And because nobody knows your home like you do, the professionals at M.J. Whelan will work with you to create custom architectural plans tailored to suit your family's needs and expectations. Our master craftsmen can match any existing carpentry, detail and finish to provide you with a truly custom, functional living space.

The right combination of architectural style, carefully selected woods and handcrafted furniture finishes will transform your house into a home.

Custom Built Library - With much careful planning and design this classic Old World library radiates style, warmth and grace. Layers of custom hand finished woodwork add great architecture detail to this gorgeous library. Entering in from the foyer, arched French doors were custom built to blend with the homes beautiful front entry. The intricate woodwork in rich cherry, include layered crown molding, raised panels, bookshelves and a desk unit. A handcrafted mantle with a pilaster encased overmantle with a white arabesque marble surround highlight the fireplace. The vaulted ceiling exposes handcrafted timbers, adding to the old world feel. Uniquely designed light channels hide low voltage LED accent lighting that illuminates all open shelving and ceiling crown molding. A crystal Chandelier adds the crowning touch over the baby grand piano. Plantation shutters were custom stained to match the color and finish of the woodwork. Fine Woodwork. Fenton, MI

Innovative Design Meets
Old  World Craftmanship

The Process: Review, Design and Refine
At M.J. Whelan, we strive to turn your design challenge into a design advantage, which is why our customers are an elemental part of the design process. Our professionals will work with you to determine your needs and objectives, and then create an architectural plan for your review.

Once the project has been approved, we begin with the highest quality, hand picked raw lumber in your choice of wood (most units are made of cherry or maple). The lumber is milled in our shop by professional carpenters, and hand-sanded for a smooth, luxurious surface. We then work with our customers to find the perfect color, whether it means matching a current color scheme or blending to create a chic new finish.

Our team will then install the unit to your custom specifications. We know that in order to provide the highest quality product and service, it's essential to see your project through from concept to completion.

Craftsmanship, detail and authenticity like this can’t be bought at any home improvement store. M.J. Whelan specializes fine custom carpentry.

Custom Built Wall Unit - With careful design, planning and craftsmanship, this spectacular 15' x 10' custom wall unit definitely takes center stage in the great room that it was installed in. This five piece unit features an arched panel center unit on either side. the architectural detail, such as double tiered crown molding, fluted pilasters and inset carved rosettes add plenty of character. Paised panel doors on the lower half provide closed storage. The unit was hand rubbed and finished in a rich stain that was custom mixed to blend with existing woodwork n the room. Low voltage LED lighting was also installed. this project was all done in house at M.J. Whelan's woodworking shop. Custom Built Fine Furniture, Milford, MI

In the finished basement of one of our favorite families, this wall unit, fireplace surround and mantle were custom designed and constructed to house the existing fireplace and TV. It was built and painted to blend with existing woodwork, but with much more architectural detail. The fireplace surround is flanked with fluted trim in combination with other classic moldings. Layers of thick crown molding surround the space along with wainscoting for sophisticated timeless look. On the opposite end of the room, four more floor to ceiling bookshelves were built and installed in a corner to create a great reading nook. See More Photo's of this beautiful custom woodwork in our photo gallery. Custom Built-In's. White Lake Twp, MI

Distinctive Trimwork Ideas
Few elements signal style as surely as carefully selected trim. Show off your home's unique style with gorgeously layered crown molding, custom door and window casings or base molding designed, milled and stained to match your room's décor. From traditional to contemporary, your options are limitless.

Custom Built In Wall Unit and Fireplace - This very unique wall unit was installed in the den of a home in Highland, MI. With our clients needs in mind, M.J. Whelan's designer created drawings of this unit to blend into this new space with an exotic African theme. The custom built cabinets with raised panels, open bookcases and the stunning mantle are loaded with architectural details. Specialty hand carved elephant pilasters were ordered from India. The unit was customcolor matched and hand finished to achieve the rich look. Cultured stone and a cast iron fireplace unit complete the spectacular focal point of this home. Fine Woodworking. Oakland County, MI

Custom Built Furniture Now you can turn your living room into a home theater with a distinctive hand-built entertainment center, designed and installed to your specifications. Personalize your home office with custom shelving units, integrated book shelves and computer cabinets complete with full extension dove-tailed drawers and high quality hardware designed to fit your individual needs.

At M.J. Whelan, the quality of our products is only surpassed by the hard work and sincerety that goes into it. We can build you what you can't buy anywhere else, and the difference is in the details.

We can make your business feel just a bit more like home. Lose the cold, commercial feel of "work" with executive office furniture, conference tables or reception desks made of high quality, hand-picked lumber with a specialty finish that is as simple or ornate as you desire.

Coffered Ceiling Carriage - This unique ceiling treatment was built and stained to match the newly renovated kitchen. It adds great architectural character as well as lighting. Rope lighting illuminates the perimeter, while pendants are spaced evenly above the 11 ft kitchen island. A mirror lines the ceiling within the ceiling carriage. M.J. Whelan designs and creates many one-of-a-kind specialty projects providing great design solutions for our client’s specific needs. Kitchen Renovations. Brighton, Michigan

Built-In Wall Unit in Finished Basement - A wall of built-ins can take a design dilemma and turn it into a functional focal point. This wall unit was custom designed, handcrafted and installed by M.J. Whelan Construction. The idea behind this design was to make this finished basement a place ready for family enjoyment. Open shelving, crown moulding and architectural details add to the distinctive classic look. Other amenities include custom media component storage, custom audio-visual component storage locations, and video & photo album storage. Also included in this finished basement is an Egress window, a wet bar, a bathroom and craft/children’s playroom. Custom Built-In's. Hartland, MI

Lakefront Remodeling - This lakefront home had its living room destroyed by a fire. The new living room was redesigned to take advantage of the beautiful views of the lake and add seating. This stunning architectural statement was custom designed by M.J. Whelan’s design team. Custom trim moldings, specialty arched cornices, wainscoting and raised panels, were hand milled and built in M.J. Whelan’s finish carpenters. A bump out window seat with storage drawers was crafted into the design, replacing a non-descript fireplace wall. A rich walnut stained finish adds to the dramatic effect. These careful details combine to create an atmosphere of comfort for family & friends. Finish Carpentry. Oakland County, MI

Custom Cabinetry - A carved out niche in a main level hallway provided the perfect spot for this custom built-in family information center. M.J. Whelan’s design team drew up plans to accommodate the specific needs of our homeowner’s busy family. Four full file cabinet drawers, cabinetry with shelving for each family member, and custom cubbies are just a few of the amenities of this stunning piece of fine furniture. Equipped with recessed lighting and plenty of electrical outlets for phone chargers and a shredder, it is definitely a one of a kind. Our finish carpenters beautifully hand-crafted this piece to perfection. M.J. Whelan’s master furniture finishers went to great lengths to match and hand-finish the unit in the ideal color that blended with the Brazilian cherry floors in this home. Finish Carpentry. Fenton, MI

"I enjoyed working with all of you, Thanks! I really love my built-ins."

Michelle Pergeau, Milford, MI

Entertainment Unit in Finished Basement - This custom built-in TV entertainment center with bookcases is not only a stunning focal point; it helps to provide a warm, functional piece of furniture to the spacious room. This maple unit was designed by our residential designer to fit into this niche for this beautiful basement that was remodeled by M.J. Whelan. The focal point of this space houses a large screen plasma TV and other media equipment. The unit was constructed and finished to match Brookhaven cabinets in a full kitchen that was also installed in this newly remodeled lower level. Custom Built Wall Unit. Wixom, MI

Custom Woodwork in Master Suite - This beautifully constructed solid cherry unit was created as part of a master bedroom/bath suite renovation. The combination window bench, armoire and built in bookcases adds style, sophistication and above all, function. Generous drawers, cubbies and open shelving give abundant storage without having to take up any extra space in this relaxing retreat. Details like crown molding and raised panels give a traditional style. The natural cherry wood was milled and meticulously hand finished by M.J. Whelan’s craftsmen, to create a truly stunning piece of fine furniture. In this project, two bedrooms were redesigned and merged to create a spacious master bath/bedroom getaway. A sophisticated Lift-It system was installed to make the large screen TV disappear. Custom Carpentry. Farmington Hills, MI

Custom Kitchen Ceiling - This unique solid cherry ceiling carriage was created to mirror the large center kitchen island directly beneath it. Raised panels, crown molding and inlayed Mediterranean tile make up the crowning centerpiece to the already extraordinary kitchen that was completely renovated by M.J. Whelan. The cove creatively showcases the beautiful pendant lighting. This architectural piece was flawlessly stained and finished to match the new Brookhaven cabinets. Fine Woodworking. West Bloomfield, MI