MW Design Workshop

MW Design Workshop Custom staircases, entry doors and installations in wood and metal. Est. 1985 MW Design Workshop was established in 1985 by Alex Zukowski.
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With over 25 years of building custom staircases, we also produce a variety of furniture and cabinets. Our capabilities include woodworking, fine joinery, bent wood, steel forging and fabrication to provide the ultimate level of service and customization for architects, designers, builders, and home owners.

The semi-freestanding curved stair at the Forest House really demanded a push-and-pull between modern tech and tradition...
06/03/2026

The semi-freestanding curved stair at the Forest House really demanded a push-and-pull between modern tech and traditional craft to even exist. Working alongside , , and was a masterclass in what happens when a team operates at the top of their game.

We started with a full 3D site scan, drawing every single white oak and steel component to match the precise framing of the house. We let the CNC handle the heavy lifting of the initial math to guarantee the foundation was structurally perfect.

But the real work happened at the bench. We spent countless hours hand-sculpting every transition to make sure the oak didn’t just meet the steel, but flowed into it naturally.

A huge shoutout to Tice Industries for machining the custom solid steel newel posts and balusters. With our blackened finish, they really turn the assembly into a piece of fine furniture rather than just an installation.

It’s the kind of silhouette that stays with you long after the tools are put away. Easily one of the most ambitious and rewarding builds we’ve ever taken on.

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05/29/2026

Making headway on the Perlee Vineyards project.

We’re using the CNC for precision and finishing every detail by hand to get the transitions just right. It’s the only way to make sure the digital model feels right in the physical world.

Progress is moving fast.

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The silhouette of a successful install is usually built on a lot of shop-floor stress.This three-story spiral didn’t lea...
05/27/2026

The silhouette of a successful install is usually built on a lot of shop-floor stress.

This three-story spiral didn’t leave us any margin for error. The footprint was so tight that we spent weeks obsessing over the math and prototyping components before a single piece of wood or metal was cut. We had to ensure every half-lap rail joint and custom-machined finial shared the same DNA so the assembly would feel like one cohesive unit.

There’s a specific satisfaction in seeing that level of technical intensity transform into something that looks effortless and quiet once it’s in the house.

Being featured in Architectural Digest and receiving the 2026 Staircraft Award are great nods to the team’s hard work, but the real win is seeing the design intent hold up in the finished space.

Incredible collaboration on this one with a heavy-hitting team.

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05/20/2026

We’re officially on-site for the installation phase at The Perlee Vineyards project. After weeks of shop fabrication and CNC work, seeing these massive sections drop into place is always a milestone.

This build relies on a heavy steel frame cladded in solid white oak. Now that the structure is set, we’re moving into the final integration of the woodwork. It’s a lot of coordination to get these tolerances right in the field, but it’s coming together exactly as planned.

Stay tuned for the final reveal.

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This was a tough one to get right. We worked with on this existing stair, and the geometry was pretty complicated.To ma...
05/15/2026

This was a tough one to get right. We worked with on this existing stair, and the geometry was pretty complicated.

To make sure everything fit, we started with a 3D laser scan of the entire space. That let us design and build the solid white oak treads and the brushed stainless handrails in the shop, knowing they’d line up perfectly during the install.

It’s a clean look that balances the wood and steel well. Definitely one worth sharing.

Kitchen islands are often the heart of the home, but standard supports can be a constant headache for seating.For this p...
05/12/2026

Kitchen islands are often the heart of the home, but standard supports can be a constant headache for seating.

For this project, we integrated the structural support directly into the island itself. By cantilevering the walnut surface, we eliminated the need for traditional legs, ensuring there’s nothing to interfere with legroom or the flow of the room.

This was part of a larger project we completed alongside the main staircase for the Lakehouse. It’s all about those subtle functional details that make a space work better.

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We are excited to see this project for and .construction starting to come together.We spent a lot of time dialing in ...
05/05/2026

We are excited to see this project for and .construction starting to come together.

We spent a lot of time dialing in the sweep of that curve to make sure it felt natural while staying tight to the architecture.

It’s currently in progress, but seeing the steel installed against the glass really shows the direction we’re heading. Looking forward to the final reveal on this one.

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04/27/2026

The Perlee Vineyards project is a great look at how we combine tech with hands-on building.

Working with and , we started by planning everything in 3D. This helped us map out every curve before we ever cut a piece of wood. The stairs use a heavy steel frame covered in white oak, with each curved part carved on our CNC machine to make sure it fits the steel perfectly.

It has been a huge team effort with to get these big pieces ready. Seeing the project move from a drawing to the shop floor is the best part of the job.

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04/21/2026

This custom fireplace surround for the renovation in Bend was a great opportunity to lean into some historic roots. We are working inside an old post office building, so the design intent was all about that Art Deco aesthetic that fits the original character of the space.

The structure is a custom steel framework that we are cladding entirely in brass. We made the call to use raw, unlacquered brass for this one. I have always preferred leaving brass as a living finish because it allows the material to naturally develop a patina and modeling over time. As it gets handled and ages, it tells the story of the building.

It is a project where the material choice is just as important as the fabrication itself. We are looking forward to seeing how this one settles into the hotel and starts to take on its own character through the years.

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This floating mono-stringer stair is a perfect example of why we prefer a tailored approach over "standard" systems. Ins...
04/17/2026

This floating mono-stringer stair is a perfect example of why we prefer a tailored approach over "standard" systems.

Instead of off-the-shelf brackets, we mortised the mounting plates directly into the underside of the solid white oak treads for a completely seamless look. The engineering is entirely concealed behind the drywall and under the sub-floor tile, allowing the structure to feel like it is emerging from the room itself. We even managed to install a solid, monolithic oak landing and custom notched the window-side treads to keep the gaps safe and to code.

To finish it off, we integrated LED lighting with custom wire routing through the treads and landing, paired with a low-iron Starphire glass guardrail and a continuous, site-fit stainless handrail. It is a high-precision build where the complex work stays hidden, leaving only the craftsmanship on display.

Address

8811 Huff Avenue NE
Salem, OR
97303

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7am - 4:30pm
Friday 7am - 4:30pm

Website

https://www.youtube.com/@mwdesignworkshop

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