Building Homes
One Thoughtful Detail at a Time
There’s something inherently soothing about the rhythm of craftsmanship—especially when it’s guided by someone like Jonathan Poppitt. As co-founder of Thomas and Birch Cabinetry in Victoria, British Columbia, Jonathan has quietly built more than just kitchens and vanities. He’s built trust, legacy, and a reputation for cabinetry that feels as intentional as a hand-written letter and as calm as a seaside morning.
Born with the analytical mind of an engineer and the heart of a craftsman, Jonathan didn’t follow the straight path into design. In fact, his early years were steeped in the technical world of engineering and project management. But like the slow bend of driftwood along Vancouver Island’s coast, his career shifted course—toward something more tactile, more soulful.
So, when he arrived on the Island in 2010, it was more than a geographic move. It was a pivot toward purpose. He and his wife Tamara—a professional photographer known for capturing natural light with the same grace Jonathan brings to wood grain—fell in love with the landscape and the lifestyle. Soon after, Thomas and Birch was born.
As you might expect, Jonathan’s approach to cabinetry isn’t loud or flashy. It doesn’t scream for attention—it invites it. His work is grounded in precision, but always with warmth. Under his direction, Thomas and Birch has become known for designs that are equal parts functional and beautiful. Think clean lines, natural textures, and layouts that don’t just fill space but elevate how people move through it.
But Jonathan would be the first to tell you that his real talent lies in building a team. The company culture is familial, humble, and driven by shared purpose. Gwen Long, who leads design support and operations, brings a similar energy—collaborative, thoughtful, and solutions-focused. Together, the Thomas and Birch team doesn’t just sell cabinetry—they create environments where life can unfold with ease.
It’s not uncommon for a client to begin their project focused on fixtures or finishes, only to end it with something more meaningful: a sense that their home was heard. And that’s Jonathan’s quiet superpower. He listens. Not just to what clients say, but how they live. He believes that good cabinetry doesn’t begin with a sketch—it begins with a conversation.
When he’s not in the showroom or on site, Jonathan can be found coaching football (he did so for over a decade) or enjoying time with his family. His sons, both athletic and bright, are growing up with a front-row seat to what work ethic, humility, and kindness look like in real life. And Tamara, whose photography has appeared in lifestyle publications across the region, is a constant creative partner—even if their mediums differ.
The sea plays a subtle role in Jonathan’s story. It’s not just the proximity of the business to the coast, or the natural materials echoed in their designs. It’s the way he leads—with steadiness, a kind of salt-air clarity. Like the tides, he knows there’s a time to push, and a time to pause.
Today, Thomas and Birch stands as one of the most respected cabinetry companies on the island. But Jonathan doesn’t dwell on accolades. He’s more interested in the next detail, the next family to serve, the next space to transform.
As with all truly good design, the magic isn’t in what’s seen, but what’s felt. And if you’ve ever opened a drawer or cabinet built under Jonathan’s watch, you’ve felt it—quiet confidence, smooth movement, and a deep respect for the home.
In the end, Jonathan Poppitt isn’t just building cabinetry. He’s building permanence in a world that moves too fast. And he’s doing it with intention, integrity, and just a hint of that coastal calm that makes Vancouver Island feel like home.