We believe the biggest compliment our clients can give us is to refer us on to other people. Most of our clients come to us by word-of-mouth and many of our clients come back to us again for more work.
Some clients put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard - and some of these notes and comments are included below:
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The table is truly a work of art that we, the architects, the client, and all who visit this wonderful High Commission regard (it) as a notable piece of work.
Colin Irwin - I Architecture (formerly BHI Architects) - Solomon Islands High Commission Board Room Table
February 10, 2012.
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My only question is why anyone would get their kitchen from anyone else?
David M. Curtin.
May 18, 2011.
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Gino Monteleone is an artist and his work is exceptional, both in quality and design.
Inspired by American eco-architect Sarah Susankah’s book “The Not So Big House’’, I’d decided to demolish several interior walls and an outdated kitchen in my Queanbeyan house to create a loft-style living space with an open kitchen. I wanted elegant eco-simplicity, and I wanted wood.
It took one email to track down a builder to demolish walls, but it would take almost a year to track down a skilled top-order craftsman who could design and build a genuine environmentally friendly kitchen.
Kitchen companies thought I was crazy to want a kitchen made without environmentally toxic glues and high gloss finishes. I also wanted recycled Australian timbers, or timber harvested from a certified sustainable source, but was told repeatedly this was impossible or impractical. As a journalist who writes about environmental issues, I was amazed (and often amused!) by the misinformation peddled by companies about so-called sustainable “green’’ products. I was also told wood would warp, stain and fade. As for recycled timbers, ‘’you don’t know where it’s been,’’ was one excuse offered. So it was a very happy day when I discovered Gino and Robyn Monteleone’s company, Select Custom Joinery.
Gino has an artist’s eye for wood and finishes, and I believe the kitchen he designed for me speaks volumes about the creative benefits of giving a skilled designer free rein to use their imagination and specialist knowledge. He also designs and makes a good-looking door. Yes, it will cost you more than one made by a factory franchise, but it will be a beautiful work of art that brings great joy to the soul. And isn’t that what you want?
Rosslyn B.
Queanbeyan March 2011.
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To whom it may concern,
We are delighted with the work of Select Custom Joinery. Gino's craftsmanship is obvious to us and guests to our home. He has an eye for design and finishings, and a passion for the materials he uses.
We first spoke to Gino and Robyn Monteleone about our vision for a new kitchen and family room and renovated bathroom and laundry in late 2008 after a recommendation from our architect, Robbie Gibson of Green House Architects. We wanted a modern yet classic kitchen that would stand the test of time.
Within weeks Gino showed us some possibilities at his workshop and discussed with us the idea of using bamboo and recycled timbers to make it sustainable as well.
We find the end product visually stunning, natural and practical.
Gino delivered and assembled the work on schedule. He and Robyn have always been friendly, helpful and professional in their dealings with us.
Sincerely,
Toni H. and Peter M.
Hackett March 2010.
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In 2009 we decided to renovate the kitchen in our 50 year old Canberra home.
Preferring a solid timber kitchen over the vinyl wrap-around kitchen units on offer from most kitchen manufacturers, we contacted Gino Monteleone of Select Custom Joinery, having seen his company’s display at the MBA exhibit centre in Canberra.
We had definite ideas about what we wanted. Gino was prepared to listen and very quickly demonstrated his understanding of and empathy with what we wanted to achieve in our new kitchen.
We knew we would be paying a little more than we would have with a conventional supplier, but Gino’s accuracy and honesty in explaining and estimating the costs of the project gave us confidence.
As we continued to work with him in the design stage, we came to learn about the very high standards of joinery and craftsmanship that Gino was committed to. We were also attracted to his philosophy of producing environmentally sustainable products by using recycled timbers where feasible, timbers from re-growth forests and glues and other materials with non-toxic and ecologically friendly characteristics.
Supported by his wife Robyn in the office, Gino produced for us a kitchen with the retro look we were seeking, while offering every modern element, including drawers which effortlessly glide shut, and optimum efficiency in the use of space. Our kitchen is a unique expression of his artistry and skill.
We were also impressed by the team of associated tradespeople Gino employs for his projects (plumbers, electricians and tilers etc). They were punctual and efficient and worked to very high standards, always overseen by Gino.
Linda and Robert N.
Canberra
March 2010
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Dear Gino and Robyn,
I wanted to write to thank you both for my new kitchen. As you both know I spent a very long searching for the right people to undertake the work and I am so very glad we agreed to work together. I’m the first to admit the design brief wasn’t simple. I asked for an environmentally sensitive kitchen in solid recycled timber and wanted to use a Rennie Mackintosh motif in tiles and door design. The kitchen also had to work with the fact that I am increasingly subject to arthritis. The response of most kitchen designers was to either refuse or simply offer me what they already had. In other words I was supposed to adjust my ideas to what was available.
That would have resulted in a mélange of melamine and MDF with cupboard doors which would have been constructed rather like packing cases. Instead you researched Rennie Mackintosh and worked with me to meet every aspect of my design and physical requirements. Will we ever forget the “Saga of the Granite”?
Apart from the fact that you were willing to do what a number of other kitchen placed told me was impossible, the fact that you were willing to work with me, made the journey so much more interesting and pleasurable. The results are harmonious and wonderful looking, but what is really impressive is the underlying excellence of the work.
I love the used of ash and purple heart timbers, the horizontal grain of the Blackbutt across the drawers and the fact that no endangered timber is used, the environmental awareness of the construction materials, and the fact that the kitchen not only looks great, it’s a very functional space which works within my brief of being suitable, now and into the future, for an arthritic old lady. Also, there is so much space, even above the microwave and under the kitchen sink are easily useable.
The practicalities are also great. You were always on time, kept me informed of progress, kept within budget, gave me time to make decisions and worked with me even on last minute solutions, and I love the utility rails and hooks. Your tradesmen were also punctual and very easy to deal with. Last, but definitely not least, Phil is a delight and I am very grateful he persevered with the door motif, but mostly I enjoyed his good humour, talent and professionalism. Gino and Phil make a great team.
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Select Custom Joinery and I would highly recommend that anyone looking for a unique, personal and highly creative solution to furniture making or fitouts also enjoy the privilege of working with this highly professional team. I’ll certainly be back in the future, and that’s the best compliment a very happy customer can deliver.
Barbara Phi.
25/11/2008.
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…………… The ability to carry through the big picture idea of a project right through to the finest of detail can often be marred by the limitations of standardised production, especially when it comes to the joinery.
Gino Monteleone can be entrusted with a design, listens to clients needs; yet understands the dichotomy that joinery is both functional and sculptural. Dedication to age old traditions in woodwork combined with the innovative use of materials through honour to detail resulted in cabinetry that is crafted with integrity. It is a demanding task that is often overlooked and regarded as being too time consuming, too expensive or just too hard by most.
It has been a pleasure to work with Select Custom Joinery on two projects now; both of which have resulted in a product that I am very happy with.
Brett Lowe Architect
19/12/2008.
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Thanks Gino.....I'm loving my beautiful home, every lucky minute in it!
"Happy Client" Turner ACT.
(Complete joinery fitout installed in a new house, in accordance with architectural plans).
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Dear Gino and Robyn,
Thanks for the work on the bathroom – it looks great.
Cheers, John. John U. Lyneham ACT.
(Bathroom completed after kitchen facelift completed for John)
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Hi Gino and Robyn,
Thanks again for a gorgeous kitchen.
Regards, Ann. Ann S. Sutton NSW.
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Dear Gino,
Thank you very much for all your work on our beautiful new (big) kitchen! We love the space and colours! Thanks also for being willing to do it and travel so far to install it.
Hopefully we won’t call on you again for another one for a while.
Hey! That kitchen is great….again!!!
Kind regards, Fiona and Paul. Fiona and Paul S. Bathurst NSW.
(2nd kitchen manufactured and installed for Paul and Fiona by Select Custom Joinery.)
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Dear Gino and Robyn,
We just love our new wardrobes and have been showing them off to anyone who walks into our home. Thank you once again.
Regards, Chris and Wendy. Chris and Wendy R. Flynn ACT.