European Kitchen Cabinets & Interior Design in Chicago Area, Illinois

No, though most local clients want to. Everything can be done online if that suits you better. But if you can spare an hour, the showroom is worth it — photographs flatten the difference between a good finish and a great one, and you only really see it in person.

Based on the projects we completed this year, a mid-range modern kitchen runs roughly $10,000-$25,000, a high-end kitchen $25,000-$65,000, and a luxury kitchen above $65,000. Where you land depends on the brand, the size of the room, the finishes and how much cabinetry you need — not on where you live. You get a firm, itemised price before you commit to anything.

Design usually takes two to four weeks, depending on how quickly decisions get made. Once you approve the drawings, the factory builds your order in about three weeks. Sea freight from Italy brings the total to roughly 12-14 weeks; air freight cuts it to about four weeks for an extra cost. We give you a delivery window in writing when you order and keep you posted as it firms up.

Come and see them. We keep full working displays of the kitchen, wardrobe, door and vanity ranges, so you can compare finishes side by side rather than from a swatch.

We do. One of our team measures your space before anything is ordered, and we are responsible for those numbers being right.

Our own installation crews cover this area. They fit these products every week and know their quirks, so we take responsibility for the fit as well as the supply.

You inspect the delivery with the carrier and note anything visibly damaged on the paperwork — that one step protects the claim. Then send us photos. Replacement parts come direct from the factory under the manufacturer's warranty, and we chase the claim on your behalf. It is uncommon, but it is a long way from Italy and we plan for it.

Send us the model numbers early. European cabinetry is built to millimetre dimensions, so American appliances — particularly wide refrigerators and 30-inch ranges — need planning around from the first drawing rather than adjusting for later. We specify the housings around the appliances you actually own or intend to buy.

Yes, and it usually goes better when we do. We work directly from their drawings, supply full specifications and elevations for the set, and coordinate on site dimensions and services. If you are the architect or designer, we have a trade programme — see our page for interior designers and architects.

No. Kitchens are the biggest part of what we do, but the same European systems cover wardrobes and walk-in closets, bathroom vanities, interior doors and media walls. Doing several rooms together is worth considering — the finishes match properly and you pay one freight bill instead of three.

No formal minimum, but the economics work best above roughly $10,000. Below that, importing from Italy rarely makes sense once freight is counted, and we will tell you so rather than sell you something that does not add up.

Whatever you already have. A rough sketch with dimensions, photos of the room as it stands now, a few images of kitchens you like, and your appliance list is plenty for a first conversation. If you have architect's drawings, even better. We will tell you what else we need.