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Handstone vs Cardinal Woodcraft: Which Canadian Maker Fits Your Dining Room?

6 hours ago
5 min read

By Mark and Denise, owners of Oak Unlimited Furniture, family-run in Bowmanville since 1995 | Last updated September 2026


Quick answer: Handstone and Cardinal Woodcraft are both family-run Ontario makers of made-to-order solid wood furniture. Handstone offers complete coordinated collections across the dining room, bedroom, living room and office. Cardinal Woodcraft specializes in dining, with a wide choice of pedestal and leg tables, chairs, benches and sideboards. The right choice depends on the look you want and whether you plan to match other rooms.

One of the questions we hear most often in our Bowmanville store is which dining brand to choose. We carry both Handstone and Cardinal Woodcraft, and we recommend both, because they are two of the most respected solid wood makers in Ontario.


They are not interchangeable, though. Each has its own strengths, and knowing them makes the decision much easier.


Who are Handstone and Cardinal Woodcraft?

Handstone is a family-owned furniture maker in Wallenstein, Ontario, founded in 1999, that builds made-to-order solid wood furniture in cherry, maple and red oak. Cardinal Woodcraft is a second-generation, family-run maker founded in 1988 in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, specializing in custom solid wood dining furniture.


Both companies build in Ontario, both build to order, and both sell through dealers. According to Cardinal Woodcraft, it does not sell directly to the public, so you buy through a retailer like Oak Unlimited, which lets you see the furniture in person and get help with sizing and finishes.


The two makers are only a short drive apart in the heart of Ontario's woodworking country. That shared tradition shows in the quality of both.


How are Handstone and Cardinal Woodcraft different?

The biggest difference is scope. Handstone builds complete collections that carry the same design across the dining room, bedroom, living room and home office. Cardinal Woodcraft focuses on dining furniture, offering a wide range of table styles, chairs, benches and sideboards, plus other custom pieces.


Feature

Handstone

Cardinal Woodcraft

Founded

1999, Wallenstein, Ontario

1988, Waterloo Region, Ontario

Specialty

Coordinated collections for every room

Dining furniture

Dining pieces

Tables, chairs, sideboards

Pedestal and leg tables, chairs, benches, sideboards

Built to order

Yes

Yes

Collections at Oak Unlimited

Many, including Tribeca, Rafters and Pemberton

Including Belmont, Danish and Maxmo


In practice, that means your decision often comes down to the rest of your home. If you want the dining room to match a bedroom set or living room pieces, Handstone makes coordination simple. If the dining room is the priority and you want the widest choice of table styles, Cardinal Woodcraft is a natural starting point.


When should you choose Handstone for your dining room?

Choose Handstone if you want your dining furniture to coordinate with other rooms, or if you are drawn to one of its distinctive collection designs. Handstone collections range from rustic to contemporary, and the same design can continue from your dining table to your sideboard, bedroom and home office.


Handstone's finishing process is another strength. The dye is sprayed and wiped by hand, then sealed with a colour-matched, post-catalyzed sealer and a post-catalyzed conversion varnish that bond together for a durable, chemical-resistant surface. That matters on a dining table, which faces spills, heat and daily cleaning.


Browse Handstone dining tables, chairs and sideboards, or see the full Handstone dining collection.


When should you choose Cardinal Woodcraft for your dining room?

Choose Cardinal Woodcraft if the dining room is your focus and you want a wide choice of table styles. Cardinal builds double pedestal, single pedestal and leg tables, along with chairs, benches and sideboards, and offers extensive customization so the table can be sized and styled for your space.


Pedestal tables are a good example of why the choice matters. A pedestal base keeps legs out of the way at the corners, which makes it easier to seat extra guests. A leg table has a more traditional look and often feels lighter visually.


Collections available through Oak Unlimited include Belmont, Danish and Maxmo. You can explore them on our Cardinal dining collection page and learn more about the maker on our Cardinal Woodcraft page.



How do chairs, benches and sideboards change the decision?

Chairs, benches and sideboards often decide the brand as much as the table does, because they set the comfort and storage of the whole room. Choose the maker whose chairs you find most comfortable to sit in for a long meal, and whose sideboard gives you the storage you need.


Chairs are the piece people most often regret rushing. A dining chair gets used for every meal, homework session and holiday dinner, so sit in each option for a few minutes rather than judging by looks. Seat height, back angle and whether the chair has arms all affect comfort.


Benches are worth considering for families. A bench along one side of a table seats more children than chairs do and tucks neatly under the table when not in use. Cardinal Woodcraft offers benches alongside its tables.


A sideboard completes the room. It holds serving dishes and table linens and gives you a surface for serving, and choosing it from the same maker as your table keeps the wood and stain consistent. Both Handstone and Cardinal Woodcraft build sideboards to order.


What should you decide before choosing either brand?

Before choosing a brand, decide on the table size and shape your room needs, how many people you seat regularly and for holidays, and whether you want the dining room to match other rooms. Those three answers usually point clearly to one maker or the other.


We suggest working through the decision in this order.


  1. Size and shape first. Measure the room and allow space to pull chairs out and walk around the table. Our guide to choosing a solid wood dining table explains how.

  2. Seating second. Consider whether you need an extension table for holidays, or benches for extra flexibility.

  3. Style and coordination last. Decide whether the dining room should match the rest of your home, then choose the collection.


Whichever brand you choose, you will be choosing wood and stain too. Our guide on how to choose a stain colour will help.


Frequently asked questions

Is Handstone or Cardinal Woodcraft better quality?

Both are high-quality, made-to-order solid wood makers in Ontario, and we are comfortable recommending either. The better choice depends on your style, the table design you want, and whether you want your dining room to coordinate with furniture in other rooms.


Can I buy Cardinal Woodcraft furniture directly from the maker?

No. Cardinal Woodcraft sells through dealers rather than directly to the public. Oak Unlimited in Bowmanville is a Cardinal Woodcraft dealer, so you can see pieces in person and order through us.


Which is better for a small dining room?

For a small dining room, consider a pedestal table, which keeps the corners free of legs so chairs slide in and out more easily. Cardinal Woodcraft offers single and double pedestal designs, and both makers can build tables in custom sizes to fit a tight space.


Can I mix Handstone and Cardinal Woodcraft pieces?

Yes, with some care. Choosing the same wood species and a similar stain helps pieces from different makers coordinate. Bring the details of your existing furniture when you visit, and we will help you find a good match.


Compare them in person

The easiest way to choose is to see both makers' work in person. Visit Oak Unlimited at 95 King St W in Bowmanville, or contact us for a quote. For more on Handstone, read our guide to Handstone furniture.


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