Every project we take on starts with a conversation about how the space is used — not just how it looks. This one was no different.
The brief
Our clients came to us with a clear sense of what they didn't want — a kitchen that felt generic, a closet that looked like a showroom, rooms that could have belonged to any house. What they wanted was spaces that felt specific to them: their materials, their proportions, their way of living.
The home is in Chatham, a region we work in regularly. The architecture is traditional in structure but our clients had contemporary tastes — they wanted the millwork to bridge that gap. Clean lines, natural materials, considered details.
The kitchen
We designed the cabinetry in a warm natural finish — chosen for its depth and for how it responds to the kitchen's southern light exposure. The door profile is flat slab with a slight reveal, which reads as contemporary without being cold. Hardware is unlacquered brass throughout, which will patina over time and only get better.
The island is slightly wider than standard to accommodate two people cooking simultaneously — a request from the clients, who cook together regularly. Drawers on both sides. An overhang on one end for seating.
Upper cabinets run to the ceiling, which is 9'6" in this kitchen. We used a painted finish on the uppers to lighten the visual weight — a two-tone approach that grounds the lowers in warmth while keeping the room from feeling heavy.
The details that made the difference
The range hood is custom — built by us in the same finish as the lower cabinets, with a simple flat-panel front and a brass strap detail at the base. It ties the professional range into the cabinetry in a way that a stock hood never could.
The toe kick is recessed 4 inches and illuminated with a warm LED strip — a detail that reads as almost invisible during the day and creates a beautiful floating effect at night.
Cabinet interiors are finished in a light neutral paint — a detail that only appears when doors are open, but that elevates every interaction with the space.
Results
The project came in on time and on budget. Our clients use the kitchen daily and have sent us photographs of dinner parties, weekend mornings, and holiday gatherings that take place there.
That's the best outcome we can hope for.
Get in touch to discuss a project in Chatham or anywhere else in our service area.
About épure millwork
épure millwork is a custom cabinetry and architectural millwork studio based in Little Falls, New Jersey. We design, fabricate, and install custom kitchens, walk-in closets, bathroom vanities, and architectural millwork for residential and commercial clients throughout the tri-state area.
Everything we build is fabricated in our own shop. We don't outsource fabrication or installation — the people who design your project are the people who build and install it.
We've been doing this for over 12 years, with more than 400 completed projects across Bergen, Passaic, Essex, and Morris counties in New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, and Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Starting a project with us
The process begins with a complimentary consultation — we visit your home, assess the space, and understand the scope before producing a proposal. There's no cost to the initial visit and no obligation until you sign a contract.
Lead times for new projects currently run 10–14 weeks from approved drawings to installation complete. If you're planning a renovation, the earlier you get on the schedule, the better.
Contact: (201) 281-1457 | [email protected] Studio: 28 Brookside Ave, Little Falls NJ 07424