Abacus Fine Carpentry is a collective of young, talented finish carpenters. Born nearly a decade ago from a woodworker's passion to craft beautiful, enduring architecture, Abacus has grown to more than ten seasoned craftspersons. Our work has been featured in numerous magazines as well as on national television. We are routinely recognized for our attention to detail and inventive solutions to challenging problems. We take pride in the breadth of our abilities and our capacity to consistently produce happy clients despite unique work environments, tight schedules, limited budgets, and exacting demands. Difficult scenarios have pushed us to search for exceptional solutions.

Our services might best be described as broad. While we've been hired to construct and install many noteworthy and highly creative pieces, we specialize in more ubiquitous finish tasks. These tasks include: installation of window and door trimwork; interior doors; crown, chair, and baseboard moldings; wainscoting, decorative-beam ceilings; mantels; straight-run and radius stairways; and custom cabinetry. Our job description isn't limited to the interior either. If the project necessitates an elegant deck, trellis, porch, or fence, we are experienced. We also operate a fully-equipped shop allowing us to fabricate custom built-ins, free-standing furniture, or a variety of specialized architectural components.

Underlying all Abacus projects is a commitment to detail and quality craftsmanship. We approach all projects as an opportunity to create lasting, timeless woodcraft.

Meet Abacus.

Erik Villagomez- Erik has been practicing finish carpentry and woodworking passionately for the past six years. He claims to have found his calling. Like many Abacus carpenters, Erik has a varied background in construction that has helped to inform, innovate, and improve his finish aptitudes. Erik is a highly meticulous and conscientious finish carpenter, committed to producing and assembling beautiful work that is both harmonic and sound.

Rachel Standley- Although Rachel loved her seven years working at the Seattle Chamber Music Society, she was struck by the easy certitude of her answer to a casual cocktail party question, "What would you do if you won the lottery?" That conversation changed the trajectory of Rachel's life, and she moved steadily from apprenticing in a small cabinet shop to building high-end custom cabinets, to the realization of her dream--working in people's homes to make the functional beautiful as a finish carpenter.

Born and raised in Port Angeles, Rachel completed her B.A. in Comparative History of Ideas at the University of Washington when she was only 19. She loves to travel, and then to come back home to Seattle.

My Van- Over the course of the last ten years My has enjoyed gainful employment as a finish carpenter with several local finish companies. Most recently, before joining Abacus, My helped initiate and direct the finish carpentry arm of a Fremont builder. With remarkable dexterity My routinely demonstrates an instinctive ability to recognize the project priorities and adapt his work strategies accordingly. He is quite fluid at alternating between schedule critical and quality critical projects, or fusing both demands.

Ivan Rutkovskiy- Ivan is a second generation carpenter following in the footsteps of his father. He grew up in and around the construction site. Originally from the Ukraine, Ivan successfully marries old-world craftsmanship with new-world production techniques.

Erik Podenski- Erik has a lengthy and varied resume that spans over ten years and threads through nearly every trade in the construction process. He is highly meticulous and artistically inclined. He is nothing short of an adept woodworker capable of solving almost any finish dilemma encountered expediently and fastidiously.

Ricardo Palominos- Ricardo is the newest member of the Abacus team. Ricardo began his construction career as a framer. While framing had it's rewards, his scrupulous nature moved him toward finish carpentry. Well-spoken and thorough, Ricardo reliably navigates around many construction obstacles by virtue of his circumspect disposition and good communication with the client, builder, and architect.

Rick Garcia- While attending the University of Houston pursuing a B.S. in Biology, Rick took a part-time job sweeping the shop floors for a prominent builder in Houston, Texas. After completing his degree he knew his love was with wood. Following a four-year apprenticeship, he took a much-needed vacation to Seattle and vowed to move here. In 2000 he was hired by Seattle Custom Cabinets and later moved on to work for Franzen Renovations honing his skills in residential renovations. Eventually the physically demanding work led him to take a position as the shop foreman for Argent, where he learned the skill of combining casework with metal, concrete and found objects. His dream of being his own boss was finally realized when he opened Litmus L.L.C. in 2007. After the financial meltdown, his business closed and he found a new home with Abacus. Rick brings to the table 17 years of experiences in a variety of woodworking applications. He has the ability to think on his feet and communicate well with clients and contractors. He loves to travel internationally, not only for the experience, but also to learn old and new skills from abroad. He is currently teaching himself the art of Japanese joinery.

Collin Howell- Having formerly worked as jobsite superintendent for a successful construction company specializing in high-end custom residences, Collin has a thorough knowledge of the construction process and the dynamic relationship between the trades. He is a true professional carpenter with an extensive background of experience from which to draw on. Committed to a life of quality pursuits, Collin is certain to pour himself and his talents into the project at hand.

Sasha Grote- Sasha's background, not coincidently, is in construction management, where he previously managed high-end residential projects for a Seattle builder. Sasha's management experience combined with a woodworking education, an attention to detail, and a true love of the trade makes Sasha a particularly adroit carpenter on the jobsite.

Keith Cash- Keith has over ten years of woodworking experience. He is a skilled woodworker with a comprehensive resume and a solid understanding of the construction process. These attributes allow Keith the freedom and flexibility to operate successfully in many scenarios. Keith holds Bachelor's degrees in International Business and French and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Architecture.

Paul Boutte- Paul is the stereotypical finish carpenter: committed to intricate details, consumed to find the right (sharp) tools, and in love with the wood. Having formerly lived and worked in New Orleans, Paul has considerable experience working on historical homes and restoration projects. Paul earned a Bachelor's in Physiology and Master's Degree in Public Health.

Monica Berg- Monica has been a woodworker for the past six years. While she's an accomplished carpenter able to effectuate a variety of tasks, her true passion and area of expertise is art, aesthetics, and design. Monica grew up in Norway where she attended the Romerike Theatrical School. At Romerike, she specialized in big-production scene and background design. Monica holds a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and currently works as a muralist specializing in children's murals. She owns and operates Abacus Fine Painting.