WOOD ARTISTS
custom wood products

The final touches, namely the woodwork, cabinetry and furniture, on a newly constructed or newly revived home can turn a glum and monotonous space into an inviting and atmospheric experience. Custom Wood Products of Montrose has transformed stark dwellings and fantastically lush residences into seemingly magical environments with master carpentry skills. For 11 years owner, Gerald "Kirk" Kirkland , has refined his woodworking skills and admits that his company can build just about anything, albeit it goes against his grain to toot his own horn. Common sense, basic engineering skills and service are what keep this 11-yearold Montrose company flourishing. In essence, Kirk, an Iowa-born, 40+-year resident of Colorado , is a quiet man with a hefty 30-year résumé in floor coverings, home building and producing custom wood products—hence the name of his company.

Prior generations of Kirklands were rooted in England , Ireland and Canada . I asked, "What brought you to Montrose?" Kirk answered simply, "Have you ever been to Iowa ?" All in all, it was hay-fever that thwarted him out of his native state and into the semi-arid zone of Montrose. Kirk and his wife of 31 years, Kay, moved to Montrose 31 years ago. They have three sons—Duane, Scott and Kevin. Scott currently works with Custom Wood Products, executing installations and overseeing the Telluride projects. Duane and Kevin are in the floor covering business. Kay, who works in the human resources department at Montrose Memorial Hospital , also does all the bookkeeping for the family-run business.

Fondly referred to as "The Boss," Kirk seemingly thrives on getting the end-product done verses chit-chatting away. His innumerable hours logged measuring, treating wood, sawing, hammering, mating 45 and 90-degree cuts to miter boxes, attaching crown molding and trim pieces, cap molding, filling nail holes with wood putty, sanding, wiping with tack cloth, priming and staining have made him and his seven-member crew fine craftsmen and artists. Few in the woodworking field are elevated to the distinction of artist as few have cultivated their talents to such a degree with such vast and varied projects.

Mike Sloan, a seven-year employee of Custom Wood Products said, "I learned most everything about woodworking from 'The Boss'." The crew gleans their knowledge and skill from Kirk at a regular cadence. Oftentimes, Kirk admitted, "I can merely look at something and devise a way of constructing it." Want old wood to look new or would you rather have new wood look old with the trendy distressed look? Perhaps, you envision a Scandinavian, Tuscan or Old World look accented with stone, stainless steel or exotic tiles. No problem, the pool of talent CWP brings to the table is seemingly deep. Furniture making, tile setting, floor coverings, electrical expertise, home construction and more all contribute to CWP's ingenuity and know-how.

"You have to enjoy doing this," said Kirk, "as the money isn't as good as one may believe." Having nearly doubled his work space (south of Montrose on Hwy 550) in the past couple of years, Kirk maintains that a lot of credit should be given to small business owners in the region; particularly those who haven't benefitted from governmental contributions and the like. "I am never going to retire. Heck, I am over 65-years-old, and I figure, I am just getting started," said Kirk. Though an injured back has hindered him from doing the heavy stuff, Kirk claimed he does only two things for fun: snowmobiling and spending a week each year on Lake Powell .