Aaron Ottinger Design

Aaron has done an OUTSTANDING job building out my 35 foot vintage school buses for 2 years. He’s made beds, tables, very complex benches w/​storage, a bar with plumbing, and many other little things that make the space work. Everything about the project is non-​standard so the furniture must be designed, built, installed with a ton of special considerations, and Aaron manages it all. We often have to work together and solve problems related to the unusual space, and he has a ton of knowledge and resources at his disposal to make things perfect. Aaron is up for any challenge and somehow makes beautiful pieces despite the difficult setting I’ve asked him to work in.

Aaron is champ. Been working with him for over 10 years for my home as well as my business. He has done everything from custom closets in my home to work spaces at my design studio. His craftsmanship and eye for design is second to none.

Aaron is a perfectionist, has a beautiful aesthetic and the knowledge and creativity to address any project; mine was a wall to wall home office desk. There were many aspects to my original designers drawing that Aaron wisely modified and improved in order to gain function, create ease of use, enhance look. He spent untold hours matching up wood grains so the lines would be flawless. His disposition is akin to Steve Jobs: he may be the only one who knows the inside workings/​beauty but he would deliver nothing less. Every solitary judgement he made was based on expert experience and delivering superior quality in order to give his client exactly what they want. He won’t be satisfied until you’re satisfied.
I have never seen a craftsman so true to his trade, nothing is sacrificed in order to deliver a beautiful high quality product. No short cuts.
He is a delightful, talented, thoughtful and honest individual that I trust fully to deliver what he promises. If it isn’t on time, it is only because he is perfecting his work, not that he’s scrambling around finding his next job or taken too much at once. He is clear thinking and speaking, collaborative and his mission is to completely please his client.
Finally, when comparing bids, as I did prior to hiring Aaron, know that absolutely nothing is equal. You can buy your burger at McDonald’s or Ruth Christs. You may pay more for Aaron but you are assured of an amazing product that you will love. In my case, Aaron was closer to the high end, but once I heard him describe how he would approach the project, the time he put in to preparing a realistic bid, suggested modifications to the original drawing, I was sold and believe I got what I paid for. Thoroughly delighted.

We enthusiastically recommend Aaron Ottinger for his great skill and service in creating custom furniture.
We asked Aaron to make us a media cabinet based on the designer Gilbert Rhode’s sideboard. We brought him a picture we found on the internet with a request to make it a bit wider to accommodate the media equipment.
He took it from there and thought of everything. We discussed wood veneer, finishes and the metal he would have to have fabricated through an outside vendor. Everything came off without a hitch. He created an impeccable piece that we will cherish.
Accuracy and awesome problem-​solving skills are just the beginning of his talents. He willingly adds his own creativity to what you bring to him to create something that is more than you expect.
He even anticipated and figured out a solve for our grossly uneven floor. He spent quite a while getting our piece level and properly placed.
Aaron also created a wall unit that required very high tolerances. If the groves that the shelves moved through were too tight, the movable shelves would bind and stick; if they were too loose they would not be secure to hold weight. Aaron’s design was a challenge to build, but every step of the way he kept us in the loop and showed us mock ups and tests for the finishing of the metal.
Due to his excellent work we are now commissioning a third custom piece with Aaron.
We felt his rates were reasonable and he held to his estimate even though there was some extra work required to make us happy.

aaron built an amazing reception area for my salon. he really listened to what kind of style and aesthetic I was aiming at for my salon. being in the fashion and style industry myself, I am very particular about the design of everything in my shop. I was told by a interior designer that aaron is the best craftsman she knew. she was so right! he is professional and detail oriented. his work is flawless and worth every penny. when looking for custom furniture it is almost impossible to find someone willing to do smaller jobs that is this talented. aaron is your man.