Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What does Period Designs Company specialize in?
We handcraft custom cabinetry for kitchens, bathrooms and built-ins in Colonial, Primitive, Early American, Shaker, 1920s Craftsman and Contemporary styles. Every cabinet is built from solid hardwood using traditional joinery methods in our West Union, Ohio workshop. When you call us you speak directly with the craftsmen building your cabinets — no sales team, no project managers.

How do I get started?
You can reach us three ways:

• Call us at (937) 515-8694

• Email us at info@perioddesignscompany.com

• Fill out our contact form

We'll schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your project, walk you through our process and answer any questions you have.

Where are you located?
Our workshop is located at 555 Ebrite Road, West Union, Ohio 45693 — approximately 60 miles east of Cincinnati. We welcome workshop visits by appointment.

Do you work with out-of-state clients?
Yes — we serve homeowners across the entire United States. For distant projects we handle the design process remotely using detailed photos and measurements. We offer professional installation anywhere in the country, or white-glove freight delivery with installation support for your local contractor.

Pricing & Timeline

How much does custom cabinetry cost?
Kitchen projects typically range from $12,000 to $100,000+ depending on size, complexity, wood species, finish selections and hardware choices. Bathroom vanities and built-ins are priced individually based on specifications. Since every project is custom designed and handcrafted specifically for your space we provide detailed pricing after understanding your requirements. Download our Project Planner to get started.

How long does a custom cabinetry project take?
Total timeline is typically 13-17 weeks:

• 2-3 weeks for design development and approvals

• 10-14 weeks for handcrafted manufacturing

• 1-2 weeks for professional installation

We provide photo updates at key milestones throughout the build so you can watch your project taking shape.

What is your payment structure?
Our typical payment schedule is:

• 50% deposit at contract signing

• 50% when cabinets are complete and ready for delivery

• We're flexible and happy to discuss arrangements that work for your situation.

Styles & Design

What cabinet styles do you build?
We build across a wide range of period and contemporary styles including Colonial, Primitive, Early American, Shaker, 1920s Craftsman and Contemporary. Each style is built with the same solid hardwood construction and traditional joinery — only the aesthetic details change.

What is colonial cabinetry?
Colonial cabinetry is inspired by early American design from the 17th and 18th centuries — raised panel doors, beaded face frames, inset construction, hand forged hardware and traditional finishes like period accurate paint colors. Perfect for Georgian, Federal and Colonial Revival homes. Learn more about our colonial cabinetry →

What is primitive cabinetry?
Primitive cabinetry is inspired by early American rural design — simple board and batten construction, hand forged iron hardware and hand distressed painted finishes that develop beautiful character over time. Perfect for log homes, farmhouses, salt box homes and any space that values honest craftsmanship over ornament. Learn more about our primitive cabinetry →

What are 1920s kitchen cabinets?
1920s kitchen cabinets are inspired by the craftsman and bungalow homes of the early 20th century — inset doors, warm off white painted finishes, antique hardware and distinctive details like handcrafted scalloped range hoods. We build these entirely by hand from solid wood, fitted precisely to your home. Learn more about our 1920s kitchen cabinets →

What is shaker cabinetry?
Shaker cabinetry is defined by its clean simple lines — recessed flat panel doors, minimal hardware and solid wood construction. Timeless and versatile, shaker style works beautifully in both period accurate and contemporary kitchens.

What is inset cabinetry?
Inset cabinetry refers to doors and drawers that sit flush inside the face frame of the cabinet box rather than overlapping it. Each door and drawer is hand fitted to its individual opening — a hallmark of furniture grade craftsmanship that takes significantly more skill and time than standard overlay construction.

What is beaded inset cabinetry?
Beaded inset cabinetry features a small rounded decorative bead routed along the inside edge of the face frame, creating a subtle shadow line around each inset door and drawer. It's the defining detail of period accurate Colonial, Primitive and Early American cabinetry — and one of the clearest visual markers of genuine handcrafted quality. Read our full guide to beaded inset cabinetry →

Can you build period accurate cabinets for a historic home restoration?
Absolutely — historic home restoration is one of our specialties. We research period appropriate construction methods, hardware, joinery and finishes for each project to ensure your cabinetry feels genuinely of its era rather than simply inspired by it. We've completed restoration projects in colonial farmhouses, craftsman bungalows, salt box homes and Federal style properties across the United States.

Can you match an existing cabinet style?
Yes — if you're adding to an existing kitchen or need to match period details in your home we can work from photos, measurements and descriptions to create cabinetry that complements what's already there.

Materials & Construction

What materials do you use?
Cabinet boxes: 3/4" maple plywood for sides, bottoms, tops and shelves. Backs are 1/2" plywood. All components are joined with dado, glue and screw construction.

Face frames, doors and drawers: Solid hardwood in your choice of species — cherry, maple, oak, pine or poplar. Face frames are 1" thick.

We use premium furniture grade materials throughout — no particle board, no MDF, no shortcuts.

What is dovetail joinery?
Dovetail joinery is a traditional woodworking technique where interlocking trapezoidal pins and tails are cut by hand into the corners of drawer boxes. It creates an exceptionally strong mechanical joint that holds together without glue alone — the same technique used by craftsmen for centuries and the mark of genuine furniture grade construction. Every drawer we build features hand cut dovetail joinery.

What wood species do you use?
We work with premium domestic hardwoods including cherry, maple, oak, pine and poplar. The right species depends on your style and finish — cherry for rich warm colonial work, poplar for painted primitive and 1920s cabinetry, maple for shaker and contemporary styles. We'll recommend the best species for your specific project.

What door styles do you offer?
We offer a wide range of traditional door styles including raised panel, recessed panel (Shaker), beaded inset, flat panel and board and batten. We can also custom create or match a specific style you have in mind.

What finishes do you use?
We offer a wide range of hand applied finishes including period accurate paint colors, hand rubbed stains, distressed finishes and custom color matching. All finishes are hand applied in our workshop using techniques that honor traditional methods while providing modern durability.

Installation & Delivery

Do you install cabinets?
Yes — the same craftsmen who build your cabinets install them. We offer professional installation anywhere in the United States. White-glove freight delivery with comprehensive installation support for your local contractor is also available.

How long does installation take?
Installation typically takes 2-5 days depending on the size and complexity of your project.

How do you handle measurements for out-of-state clients?
For out-of-state clients we work with detailed photos and measurements you provide, or coordinate directly with your contractor to ensure accuracy. We use computer aided design software to create detailed drawings showing all dimensions and elevations before anything is built.

Can I visit your workshop during the build?
Absolutely — we welcome workshop visits by appointment. Many clients enjoy seeing their cabinets taking shape. For distant clients we provide photo updates at key milestones throughout manufacturing.

Can I pick up my cabinets from your workshop?
Yes — pickup from our West Union, Ohio workshop is available by arrangement.

Additional Services

Do you build bathroom cabinetry?
Yes — we build custom bathroom vanities handcrafted with the same solid wood construction and traditional joinery as our kitchen cabinetry. Available in all our period and contemporary styles.

Do you build built-ins and custom furniture?
Yes — in addition to kitchen cabinetry we build entertainment centers, library built-ins, mudroom storage, custom furniture pieces and more. Each piece is handcrafted with the same attention to detail as our kitchen cabinets.

Do you make wood countertops?
Yes — we handcraft wood countertops using the hardwood species of your choice including cherry, maple, oak and walnut. A beautiful complement to our period accurate cabinetry.

What is handcrafted cabinetry?
Handcrafted cabinetry is cabinetry built by skilled craftsmen using traditional woodworking techniques rather than machine production. At Period Designs Company every cabinet is designed specifically for your home, built from solid domestic hardwood, fitted by hand and finished by hand in our Ohio workshop. No two projects are identical — because no two homes are.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help. Call us directly at (937) 515-8694 — you'll speak straight with the craftsmen building your cabinets.

Start Your Project → | Download our Project Planner →