Richard Grenier draws from many sources in order to create pieces that function and inspire.
Having 25 years in the construction industry including federal, provincial, commercial and residential, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.
In 1999, Richard began an apprenticeship program as a member of the Carpenters Union. He specialized in finish carpentry as well as tube and clamp scaffolding, and appreciated the diverse challenges of both fine finishing work and working at heights. This complement continues to serve Richard in his career: With both an eye for design and strong technical skill, he strikes the balance between beauty and function.
Having completed his apprenticeship as well as the Advanced Carpentry course at Sir Sanford Fleming (Peterborough) by 2004, Richard remained with the Carpenters Union for eight years. During this time, he was involved in commercial finish carpentry for a number of large scale projects including the construction of the much lauded Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto; the Ryerson University extension at Bay and Dundas; the Panasonic Theatre; and Toronto City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square. His talents and skill were recognized, leading to a 30-month employment at Pickering Nuclear Station. During this time, his work consisted of erecting scaffolding for Hydro One to retrofit nuclear reactors, according to the strict standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
While he was showing great promise in his career, by 2008-09 Richard had a growing desire to offer his skills to private clients in renovation, woodwork and design. Driven by the connection to the client, he worked to maximize function while honoring his clients’ unique needs and vision. This new layer to his work offered great fulfilment, as well as the freedom to create pieces that could capture the spirit of the client’s home and lifestyle.
Over the last decade, Richard's custom design and build work has broadened his experience to include post and beam framing, additions, interior and exterior custom work as well as detailed reproductions. His exposure to diverse landscapes and traditions enriches his perspective and generates energy for his work, and he continues to find satisfaction in the envisioning and transformation of a space.
In August 2017, Richard was featured in Ottawa Life Magazine, and one of his custom projects was selected for the Best Pics category in the Fall 2017 issue. With deep respect for the earth and its potential, he continues to find passion and draw inspiration from the materials he works with. Whether in simpler repairs or fine custom woodwork, Richard takes pride in completing a job with competence and integrity.
TESTIMONIALS
W. Sabourin
Richard was a pleasure to work with - Starting from the initial engagement/quoting process & through the completion of the Project, Richard maintained the highest level of professionalism - He was always courteous and explained items as they were being addressed throughout the process - His exceptional work ethics are only outstripped by the high quality of his work - I would definitely hire Richard for my future projects - Thanks again for a job well done Richard!Read More
Lynn MacSween
We hired Richard to complete some wear and tear cabinet repairs. He came to the house, reviewed the work and gave us great recommendations for repairs. He completed some of the work offsite and when we arrived with the new drawer fronts the colour match was perfect. He spent two days meticulously completing the work required. We were extremely pleased with the results. We would highly recommend him. Thank you Richard.Read More
J.R Doyon
We had the pleasure of collaborating with Richard on the design and construction of our barber stations cabinets during our relocation to a new location. Our objective was to revamp the aesthetics of our barber shop. Richard provided invaluable assistance in selecting materials, accessories, and colours, and he diligently installed all the stations to meet our tight schedule, ensuring a timely reopening of our shop. Richard is renowned for his honesty, meticulousness, and constant communication of project progress. We wholeheartedly recommend his expertise. Recently, we engaged his services to incorporate additional features into our shop.Read More
Daniel
I had the pleasure of working with Richard on a project involving custom-designed shelves and doors, and we couldn't be happier with the results. Richard's attention to detail and craftsmanship truly transformed our space. He was professional, communicative, and open to our ideas, making the entire process smooth and enjoyable.Read More
Ron
On moving into our condo we noted a small fridge in a large space. We measured multiple times and then purchased a counter depth 33 inch. On delivery it didn’t fit. We gave Richard a call, he came quickly, assessed the situation, talked through options and costs and time frame. He carefully enlarged the space, moving the cabinets so well you don’t notice the changes as he has an eye for detail and Color match. Beautiful job, fair price and Richard is just a great person to work with to get the job done.Read More
