CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
“I found Kris's work while searching for a local artist to create wood and resin art pieces for a client project. Engaging a new vendor is always a bit nerve-wracking, as very few demand the level of quality in their work that our agency requires. Fortunately, Kris is a true craftsman and excellent communicator who was constantly mindful of specific needs and deadlines. Everything he presented to us, from initial samples to final product, was beautifully presented. Everyone was thrilled by the results.”
-Ellen Osborn, Wieden+Kennedy
“We worked with Kris on a reception desk for a commercial office project. Following basic dimensions and a SketchUp rendering, Kris created a gorgeous desk. His craftsmanship and care were evident in all the tiny details, everything executed absolutely beautifully. Our clients were just as thrilled. We highly recommend KO Furniture and look forward to working collaboratively again in the future.”
-Annie Wise Interior Design
"We needed a specific length and width for a dining table that just didn't exist out in the stores. Kris created our beautiful Viking table based on a few photos and suggestions from us. It is exactly what we envisioned. That table has changed our dining area experience and has brought us closer together as a family. Thank you!"
“You know those dreams you have tucked away for years? The ones that connect you to where you are from and where you are? My husband and I bought a print when we were in college at the University of Montana. Our hope was that someday it would hang in our mountain 'get-a-way'. After twenty years in Portland, we were finally able to purchase a rustic cabin in the woods. It was time to unearth the print we had purchased so many years ago and have it hang in our cabin as a symbol of a dream realized. We contacted Kris and shared our desire to have a live edge frame for our 'work of art.' The joy of Kris is that he paid little notice to the fact that our 'art' was a glorified poster but gave full attention to acknowledging the realization of a dream. The frame he made suits our mighty grizzly print perfectly, but more importantly it symbolizes our journey. A humble little poster surrounded by glorious live edge wood! We didn't ever discuss the location of our cabin with Kris, only that it was a rustic cabin in the woods. On pick-up day, as we marveled at the frame, Kris shared his thought that the frame ended up looking like the state of Washington which makes it even that much more perfect-our cabin is nestled in the glorious Gifford Pinchot National Forest of WA! Our cabin, and our dream, is now complete! Thanks Kris- we owe you a visit, so you can see your art and our poster in all their glory.”
“Two of my most favorite pieces in my home were created by Kris. I have the coolest bar cart and the perfectly-sized dining room table. They’re both unique, well-made and PNW style. Kris takes customization to a whole new level. I gave him some style ideas that I liked and he ran with it, taking my needs into full consideration and came back with pieces that exceeded my expectations. He works with his customers to make sure each piece is exactly what they want. If you want something made right that’s one of a kind, Kris is your guy!”
-Sarah Klein
“Kris was remarkable in all phases of the design, build, and installation process. There was never a doubt that we would get the furniture we wanted; we could not be happier. His work is functional art!”
-Northridge Wealth Advisors
“I asked Kris to build a vanity for us. I knew he was talented and we think he's a great person so we wanted to give him some business. I am absolutely blown away by how exquisitely beautiful this piece is. He was so creative and thoughtful down to the last detail. We couldn't be happier. Except now we'll have to leave the bathroom door open all the time just so people can see this amazing work of art!”
“Imagine the best shopping experience you’ve had recently. Were you happy with that experience because the store wasn’t crowded? Were you happy with that experience because you were able to find what you were looking for quickly? Most likely, if you’re like I am, you haven’t been happy with a shopping experience lately because customer service is a lost art. If you feel the same way, you have to continue reading this!
My wife and I decided we were going to find someone to create an original bar top for us. We are normally pretty picky people. We know what we like and normally what we want. I called around from place to place for weeks. I couldn’t even get anyone to answer their phone, until finally on a Sunday evening when Kris from KIRKMAN ORIGINAL answered (I might add this was the first time I had called his number).
I knew within seconds of talking with him, he was the person we wanted to create our one of a kind custom bar top. I told him what we were looking at, approximate dimensions and sent some photos of the room where it would be installed. He asked me to take some simple measurements of the wall where we wanted the bar top and explained the process of the measurements he needed very clearly. I sent him payment (more on payment later) and the measurements he asked for.
At this point, I told him don’t worry about time. Please understand these pieces are ART. A master piece, which in our mind is what this bar top is, takes time. We didn’t think we would hear from him for a couple of months. NOT the case! Kris called after the first week and explained some of the pieces of wood he had seen but he was looking for something specific for this project. I told him don’t worry about time, and to focus on his craft.
Within 4-6 weeks, after weekly updates, I received a text saying we would receive two boxes. One box would be large which was the bar top and one small box that would have mounting instructions and the tools needed to mount the bar top. I thought to myself tools? Imagine my astonishment when I opened the small box and there was a mounting template, the hanging studs to go into the wall, the drill bit to use in the drill with the end of the drill bit taped off for the depth I needed to drill, epoxy, an epoxy paint brush to apply it and many pairs of Nitrile gloves. The directions were very specificbut written to where they were so easy to follow.
I was able to mount the template that was created and sent with the bar top. This made an installation that looked intimidating, VERY easy.
After installing the template, it was very easy to figure out where I needed to drill and insert the hanging bolts.
At this point I text Kris and showed him where I was. This is after the sale and after it was shipped on a Saturday evening. Kris responded immediately and was very interested in how the process was going. I explained I needed to wait until the next day when I had help in order to mount the bar top.
The following day we had our neighbor come over and help me put the bar top onto the studs. The directions were so ‘spot on’ the bar top slid right onto the mounting studs. The bar fit perfectly and was very sturdy!
We had asked for a free floating bar top that had a live edge with some epoxy color to fit into our room. We never would have guessed the piece we received would transform the room the way it has. Everyone that comes over, walks directly to the bar top, stares and then says, “WOW”.
This was the BEST shopping experience I have had in many years! Not because I found someone to complete our project. Not because someone completed our project within a fraction of what we thought it would take, but because Kris was invested and passionate about the entire project. He made the entire process super fun. The communication was amazing. I mentioned earlier I would come back to the price. Once everything was shipped, Kris refunded us a decent sum of money because shipping wasn’t as much as initially quoted. Who does that these days? KRIS AT KIRKMAN ORIGINAL IS WHO DOES THAT!
Kris, thank you for making such a beautiful piece of art and for making this experience so enjoyable. Your customer service is unmatched in today’s industry. The cut out from our shelf (trophy) was very unexpected and such a nice personal touch. We were so excited to receive the card and the matching ‘trophy piece’! My wife has it front and center in our living room on the center table. Needless to say it has already turned into a conversation piece.
We know that we weren’t the only client that Kris had but you would never know it. Kris treated us like a friend we’ve known all of our lives. We can’t wait to work with him again. Kirkman Originals are truly one of a kind piece of art.”
-Jeff and Jacki Hansford
“We found Kris via a recommendation from our friends at Travel Portland and we could not be happier that we decided to have Kris make our Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Awards in 2021! Kris was incredibly easy to work with, bounce ideas around, share proofs and trials, and work with our brand standards to show off state and regional colors. We were also happy to have the engraving done in house to streamline the project. The final products are true pieces of art that represent our state especially given the use of live edge salvaged Oregon black walnut. We look forward to working with Kris again and would wholeheartedly recommend him and his beautiful work.”
-Travel Oregon
“KO Furniture recently made us some custom shelving from beautiful maple wood and colorful resin swirls that are truly works of art! Kris made the process of designing, creating and purchasing the shelves so fun and easy. He listened to my ideas and captured my vision exactly! When it came time to ship them across the country, he took great care that assured they arrived in perfect condition! I certainly recommend KO Furniture and Kris Kirkman to anyone looking for quality woodwork!!!!”
“We were on the search for a pair of wall-mounted nightstands while updating our guest room. The conventional market just didn’t have what we were looking for. We ended up submitting a project proposal via the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers, which is how we met Kris.
Having custom furniture made was a new experience for us. Kris made the process go smoothly, along with making it fun. We provided an inspiration photo and our dimension requirements during the proposal process, and a budget was established. After a couple of conversations and one or two more ideas were tossed into the mix, Kris delivered two nightstands ahead of schedule, on budget, and were better than we could have imagined!
Would we recommend Kris? Most definitely! In fact, we’ve already started kicking around ideas for a future project.”
“My wife and I reached out to K O Custom Furniture to create a contemporary style wood shoji screen that would fit in with the extensive custom wood trim in our living room. The screen stands in a prominent location and thus needed to be aesthetically pleasing while also providing privacy. After some discussion, K O Custom Furniture went to work. It in a remarkably short time the screen was complete and K O Custom Furniture was even so kind to deliver the screen to our living room and set it in place. Wow! The screen is beautiful! The workmanship is impeccable! Truly an amazing work of art. K O Custom Furniture was able to give a new and beautiful interpretation to the traditional shoji screen. We could not be more pleased. Thank you Kris and team at K O Custom Furniture!”