About Us

Craftsmanship Rooted in Family, Built on Integrity

At Knotty Woodwork, we do more than build cabinetry—we build trust, creativity, and spaces that feel truly personal.

Founded in 2015, we’re a family-owned Calgary business that started as a garage hobby and has since grown into a full-service custom cabinetry company. With roots in corporate leadership, engineering, and design, our background gives us a unique edge: we know how to blend structure with creativity, professionalism with artistry.

Our mission is simple: to deliver high-quality custom cabinetry that reflects who you are and how you live—without the stress or uncertainty that often comes with home renovation. Whether you're a homeowner designing your dream kitchen or a contractor seeking a reliable partner, we bring care, clarity, and craftsmanship to every project.

our story

Knotty Woodwork began in a humble garage with one goal: to bring craftsmanship and care back into home projects. What started as a creative outlet for George Samaha—a seasoned professional with a background in engineering and a passion for woodworking—soon grew into a trusted cabinetry business serving homeowners and industry professionals across Calgary.

As word spread about the quality of George’s custom furniture and cabinetry, the business expanded—and so did the vision. What once was a one-man shop evolved into a family-run company built on integrity, service, and design-forward craftsmanship.

Our Promise

At Knotty Woodwork, we understand that trusting someone with your home or project is a big decision—and it should come with confidence, not uncertainty. That’s why we’ve built our business on a foundation of transparency, craftsmanship, and genuine care. From your first consultation to the final installation, we’re committed to delivering a smooth, respectful, and personalized experience. We take the time to understand your vision, offer clear and consistent communication, and tailor every detail to your needs. We never rush a job or compromise on quality—because your cabinetry should be built to last. Above all, we treat your space as if it were our own, showing up with honesty, professionalism, and pride in everything we do.

Our Owners

George is the founder, creative mind, and hands-on craftsman. With a background in engineering and decades of experience in high-pressure industries, he brings precision, discipline, and deep pride to every project. Outside of the shop, you’ll find him in the mountains, fly-fishing or building something new just for fun.

Lora is the heart of the client experience—and lovingly known as the “knotty wife.” After 25+ years in the corporate world, she joined George full-time to help grow the business and now leads the design, consultations, and project coordination. Known for her eye for detail, personal touch, and ability to make any space more functional, Lora ensures every project runs smoothly from start to finish.

Together, George and Lora bring warmth, professionalism, and creativity to everything they do—balancing skill with service, and design with dependability.

We used Knotty Woodwork to design a custom built-in for an awkward nook in our basement. Loved the creative solutions that George brought, and what resulted was a very stylish built-in bar counter with a wine rack and glass-fronted upper cabinet. Exactly the solution we were looking for and George was an absolute pleasure to work with throughout. Incredible value as well, as it came to less than half of what a larger company had quoted. We would be return customers in a heartbeat!
— Jeff Dickson

client testimonials