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Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Lokenvitz Design and Woodworking

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United States
Madrid, IA
Lokenvitz Design and Woodworking

Wood is in her DNA and sawdust is in her veins.

Sarah Nielsen, Senior Designer and Founder of Lokenvitz Design & Woodworking, combines artistry and craftsmanship to create functional, beautiful spaces and custom wood furniture.

07/04/2026

Happy 250th America!

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Never Forgotten 🇺🇸

05/13/2026

My first box of samples from Showplace Cabinetry showed up today!!! Can’t wait to unbox the ‘em and get them put away!

04/09/2026

Before → After

This project began under difficult circumstances. After a house fire left most of the interior destroyed, the home was taken down to the studs and rebuilt from the ground up.

From there, we had the opportunity to completely reimagine the space.

Together, we created an open, functional main level designed for both everyday living and entertaining. A once-underutilized bay window became a cozy seating area—perfect for slow mornings and coffee in natural light.

The homeowners gravitated toward darker wood cabinetry, paired with lighter flooring to keep the space feeling balanced and bright. With large windows flooding the family room, the contrast works beautifully without feeling heavy.

A spacious island became the heart of the home—offering plenty of seating, prep space, and room to gather year-round.

The fireplace built-ins were designed to be simple and intentional, blending off-white cabinetry with natural wood tones to create both storage and styling space while tying into the overall palette.

Throughout the bathrooms, Rustic Hickory was used to bring warmth, texture, and a natural, grounded feel to each space.

What started as a tragedy turned into a fresh start—and a home thoughtfully designed for this next chapter.

04/07/2026

Quartz vs Granite—this is one of the most common questions I get.

And honestly… there’s no “right” answer.

It really comes down to how you live in your space.

Quartz is great if you want something low maintenance and consistent—no sealing, no surprises.

Granite is perfect if you love natural variation and want something with more character.

I’ve seen both work beautifully—and I’ve also seen both chosen for the wrong reasons.

👉 The best choice is the one that fits your lifestyle, not just what’s trending.

If you were choosing today, which way would you go?

04/03/2026

New season, same standards—and a quick re-introduction 👋

I’m Sarah, the designer and builder behind Lokenvitz Design & Woodworking.

I don’t just design spaces to look good—I design them to actually work for real life.
And when something doesn’t exist? I build it or design it.

Going into this next season, I’m leaning even more into:
– intentional layouts
– custom woodworking
– and the details that most people overlook (but make the biggest difference)

Because a well-designed home isn’t just about finishes—
it’s about how you live in it every day.

If you’re planning a remodel or dreaming about one… you’re in the right place.

04/01/2026

Maple: the safest choice… but is that always a good thing? 👀

Maple is everywhere—and there’s a reason for that.

✔️ Smooth, subtle grain
✔️ Extremely durable
✔️ Clean, consistent look

But here’s what most people don’t realize 👇

Because the grain is so subtle, Maple can sometimes feel… flat.
Especially if it’s not paired with the right finishes and textures.

👉 Done right? Light, warm, and timeless
👉 Done wrong? Basic and forgettable

I use Maple when I want a space to feel clean and bright—but I always make sure to layer in texture elsewhere so it doesn’t fall flat.

Would you use Maple in your home?

Save this for your next project 👇

03/27/2026

Most people see this and think it’s just an old-school tool… but it’s one of the most important parts of fine woodworking.

This is a hand plane—and it’s used to shave thin layers off wood to make a surface perfectly flat, smooth, and ready for finish.

While power tools get you close, a hand plane is what takes a piece from good to finished. It lets me fine-tune every detail, remove imperfections, and bring out the natural beauty of the wood grain in a way machines just can’t replicate.

Each pass creates those curled shavings you see—paper-thin and incredibly satisfying—and every one of them means the surface is getting closer to perfect.

It’s slower, yes. But it’s intentional.
And that’s where the craftsmanship really happens.

🎥 In this video, you’ll see exactly how it works and why I still reach for this tool on my builds.

03/20/2026

❤️ A Few of my Favorite Things ❤️

The right tile in a project can either Make or Break a design. There are so many options available that sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to start or even what might work!

Today I am going to show you SOME of my favorite tiles paired with different selections based on style!

A mix of warm tones and a few cooler tones gives you a space that is versatile to any decor or event you might be hosting.

Darker base features (cabinetry) provide options for lighter tile work. Pairing with a neutral pattern countertop makes way for fun geometric shapes that give depth, but aren’t too loud!

Wanting to go a little South Western? 🌵These terra cotta colored tiles are the perfect addition! Pairing these with a bold, natural looking countertop for the perfect space to make you feel like you are outside (withiut all the sand 😉)

Marble tiles will always be a classic! Instead of just the same old marble subway tile, why not mix it up with some fun shapes?! Hexagon and penny rounds are great for shower floors! An elongated herringbone pattern brings interest to the kitchen or an accent wall! You can even pair it with some great wallpaper to compliment!

A couple items I don’t have pictures of (yet!) are my newest natural stone selections! Bringing in true marble in unique shapes (geometric and picket) are so fun! I even did one with a dark green accent color in it! The other one I am so excited for is Petrified stone in a herringbone pattern! It is going to look brilliant with MSI Ivoritaj Brushed! It truly brings one back to nature!

If you are needing help choosing the right tile for your project, let’s schedule an appointment!

03/18/2026

Wood Species Wednesday: Red Oak

Red Oak is one of the most recognized and widely used hardwoods in American homes—and for good reason.

Known for its prominent grain pattern and warm undertones, Red Oak brings natural texture and character into a space. It’s incredibly durable, making it a great choice for cabinetry, furniture, flooring, and custom woodworking pieces that need to stand up to everyday life.

One of the things I appreciate most about Red Oak is how beautifully it takes stain. Whether you're going for a light natural finish or a deeper, richer tone, its open grain highlights the color and gives the wood a lot of depth.

It’s a classic material that continues to work in both traditional and modern spaces when used intentionally.

Follow along with Wood Species Wednesday as we explore the materials that help bring great design and craftsmanship together.

Address

Madrid, IA
50322

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(641) 220-5909

Website

http://www.lokenvitzdesign.com/

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