The new owner of DBJ Furniture is continuing the art of custom cabinetry
Written by
31 May 2026
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4 min read
“Everyone does everything slightly differently. It comes down to the design or the architect, client or interior designer, and being able to actually build that and create that in the flesh… seeing it through from start to finish is really satisfying,” shares Samuel Levene, Owner and Director of DBJ Furniture.
It’s an appreciation that started early, studying product and industrial design at Massey University in Wellington. Between semesters, he spent time working in a cabinetry workshop, building, assembling and installing joinery.
“I realised pretty quickly that I loved not only the design side, but the practical side too.”
Samuel then spent the next decade moving through different areas of the cabinetry and interiors industry, from residential kitchens to wardrobes and high-volume manufacturing. But the goal had always been to own his own business.
“I knew I needed experience,” he says. “The quickest way to gain that was exposing myself to different parts of the industry, rather than only ever learning one way of doing things.”
When the opportunity came to purchase and take over DBJ Furniture, he knew it was the right next step.
Since taking over in November last year, the focus has been on moving an already well-respected company forward. “DBJ already had an incredible name in the market. It was important to me that nothing changed for the staff or our clients, except improving things where we can.”
With a team of just over 30, the workshop is filled with constant movement. Bespoke timber wardrobe joinery might be underway in one area, while the cabinetry for a study is being crafted at the other end. Project managers move between drawing, samples and conversations with those on the factory floor, while cabinetmakers refine every edge with a confidence earned through years of experience. It’s a daily routine by a team dedicated to quality outcomes each and every time.
“Everything we do is about quality,” says Samuel. “We use an incredible amount of solid timber still and we’ve got some of the best cabinet makers in the country. It’s all about trying to do the best that we can and use our skills to build whatever someone wants.”
Each project is entirely customised. “That’s what keeps it exciting. Every day there’s something completely different happening in the workshop.”
Recent work included producing cabinetry for Fisher & Paykel’s showcase at Milan Design Week.
“We created all the cabinetry for their display when they launched a new range of appliances,” says Samuel. “It was some of the coolest cabinetry I’ve ever seen. To be part of a project like that and see the response it received was incredibly rewarding.”
Projects like this are exactly what drew Samuel to the industry to begin with. Ones with an opportunity to innovate and create work that leaves a lasting impression.
“If someone says something can’t be made, I want to figure out how we can make it.”
In an industry increasingly driven by speed and standardisation, it’s this mindset that will draw DBJ forward.
“This is definitely the hardest I’ve ever worked,” laughs Samuel. “But I genuinely love it. Every day we’re building incredible things, working with great people and helping to create spaces that clients will live in for years.”
DBJ Furniture’s philosophy has remained the same for decades, and remains unchanged under the guidance of Samuel. Rather than always looking ahead to the finish line, craftsmanship and attention to detail are at the heart of every project. It’s an approach shaped by collaboration, between designers, makers and clients, and grounded in the belief that exceptional spaces are built through care, experience and precision at every stage. From award-winning kitchens to full-home fit-outs, each piece is made with longevity, function and material integrity in mind.
If you’re inspired by makers like the team at DBJ Furniture, ArchiPro makes it easy to discover the designers, makers and products shaping beautifully considered interiors. Explore projects, connect with professionals, or start collecting ideas for your own space.