FAQs – USA & North America

As bespoke cabinet makers working on all rooms in the home, every project takes us on a different design journey. Our team of experts are here to guide you through how we work to apply our refined sensibility, sense of proportion, and renowned level of craftsmanship in cupboardmaking to your project. Below we have answered some of our most asked questions about our processes and the product ranges available in the USA & North America.

Design and Consultation Process

1. Q: What is included in your in the Design Consultation?
   1. A: One of our expert Designers will meet with you either in-person at one of our showrooms or over the phone/Zoom. They will begin discussing your desired usage and storage requirements for the space in question.

      After our first meeting, we provide hand sketches for our initial ideas for the spatial layout as well as cost estimates and inspirational images to help visualise the project.

      Our initial pricing includes all joinery items to be shipped and delivered to/for the project address, and the corresponding cabinetry finishes (hardware, paint). We function as a full-service design studio, and our design time is included in our pricing.

2. Q: How do you determine a preliminary quote?
   1. A: We review your dimensioned floor plans or architectural drawings to prepare a specific estimate range for your project. This range accounts for our bespoke offerings and the variation of pricing that is possible, which ultimately depends on the level of customisation, internal details, and number of cupboards needed.

      If you have a budget in mind, our design team can adapt the scope of our design to best align with your needs.

3. Q: Can you describe the bespoke design journey at Plain English?
   1. A: Plain English was founded in pursuit of the “below-stairs” or “backroom” look of grand eighteenth-century English houses: spare and purposeful, with stand-alone dressers, tables, cupboards, and spacious pantries. The timeless relationship between form and function continues to inform our designs. Our language speaks to all kinds of architectural settings, embracing all the modern ways we live now. Our process is thoughtful and collaborative—designs evolve as ideas take shape, with our cabinetry plans tailored exclusively for the project from our archive of ranges. Further information about our design process can be found on our How We Work page.
4. Q: What types of design support do you offer?
   1. A: Our designers work globally from design studios in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Design consultations, meetings, and site visits can be made in person or virtually, depending on the location and scale of your project. In the US, we work collaboratively with everyone involved in your project, whether it is directly with clients or liaising with interior designers, architects, developers, contractors, and installers.
5. Q: Do you have different lines available in the US?
   1. A: In the US, our design process begins with our most classic, basic cabinetry – our Spitalfields Cupboards with Wilkes Doors and Oak interiors. As the design progresses, we can refine, tailor, and add internal details and bespoke elements to best suit your requirements.
6.  Q: What is the starting price range for a Plain English project in the US?
   1. A: A Plain English kitchen can generally start at around $100,000. These numbers can fluctuate up or down depending on the internal details added, the project’s scope, or any layout changes that occur. If you have a budget in mind, we can adapt our design to best fit your needs.

Product Information

1. Q: What type of finishes and materials do you use for cabinetry?
   1. A: Our cabinetry is made by hand in our workshops before being hand-painted and carefully wrapped, ready for delivery and installation. Our custom cabinets are primarily made from poplar which is a hardwood. The carcasses are made from birch ply, and we use biscuit joints and domino joints to reduce the amount of glue used, but it is still a necessary step in cupboard making. At Plain English, we have tried, tested and precision-engineered many options and now use the best quality materials to give consistency for a kitchen that will truly stand the test of time. In our work to become more sustainable, Plain English now works with two workshops domestically in the US.
2. Q: Do your cabinetry designs include soft-close hinges and drawers?
   1. A: Our dovetailed drawers are mounted on soft-close runners. Our cabinets use simple brass butt hinges with magnetic catches.
3. Q: What options are available for ironmongery?
   1. A: We offer an exclusive, extensive range of ironmongery finishes and designs, most notably our Georgian Brass finish which is hand-cast locally just down the road from our workshop in Suffolk, England.
4. Q: How diverse is the colour selection for cabinetry?
   1. A: You can enjoy exclusive access to our colour collections as part of any Plain English project. Otherwise, we can use any colour of your choosing. Our designers are happy to guide colour choice and paint finish and can best assist in connecting clients with external suppliers and vendors depending on their preferences.
5. Q: What is the durability and longevity of the cabinetry?
   1. A: At Plain English, we use natural materials such as timber to build our product and our philosophy is to use these precious resources with respect, creating joinery that will age well and last indefinitely. All our joinery is hand-painted, and the paint can easily be touched up to make the finish as good as new. We believe that the soundest approach to any project is to buy once and buy well.

Manufacturing and Installation

1. Q: What is the timeline for cabinet production and delivery?
   1. A: From final design approval, the manufacturing lead time in the USA and North America is 10-20 weeks depending on the project’s scope. This can fluctuate depending on design time, appliance lead times, and when the site will be at a stage where dimensions can be verified.

2. Q: Where are the cabinets manufactured?

   1. A: Using the design & manufacturing processes we established and perfected in England for 30 years, we currently maintain two workshops in the US–one outside of Chicago, Illinois and the other in upstate New York. We also maintain our original UK workshop in Suffolk.

3. Q: How are Plain English US projects affected by recent trade policies and tariffs?

   1. A: Our domestic workshops allow us to stay mobile and protected from the turbulence of overseas supply chains and sudden tariffs. We are closely monitoring the situation and are proud to say our pricing is holding firm, and there is no current plan for a price increase. Please speak with your designer if you have any specific questions or concerns.

4. Q: Do you install?
   1. A: For installation, we typically work in one of two ways: the first is supply-only, where we work closely with the contractor to guide them through the installation process. Our design team is happy to share local fitters from our extensive network that have completed our projects in the past, depending on the area of your project. The second is supply & install, where we partner with an installation company to provide a fitting & project management service.
5. Q: Does the preliminary quote include installation?
   1. A: To begin, our initial estimate includes the design & supply of joinery only. If you would like to enquire about a quote for installation, please speak with your designer to discuss pricing.

Support and Additional Services

1. Q: What additional support and services do you provide during the cabinet installation process?
   1. A: We will provide you with detailed installation drawings, guides, and additional information specific to your project in advance of your delivery. We also are happy to offer in-person or virtual support via site visits and phone or video calls.
2. Q: Do we need an architect?
   1. A: It is not a requirement to have an architect or interior designer on your team to work with Plain English. If it is of interest, our design team can connect you with local architects or interior designers whom we have worked with in the past, depending on the scope and size of your project.
3. Q: Who confirms dimensions?
   1. A: Confirming final site dimensions are best checked and confirmed by your selected installation team or contractor. If you are using our dedicated installation contact, they can take and verify dimensions on your behalf and provide these to us. However, if your contractor is providing the dimensions, it is their responsibility to ensure they are accurate and verified.
4. Q: Do you carry out site visits?
   1. A: We offer in-person or virtual meetings and site visits to fine-tune the design as needed. The ideal time for your Plain English designer to visit is when your project arrives on site. During this visit, they can assist with setting out and provide valuable installation guidance.
5. Q: Does Plain English offer services beyond the kitchen?
   1. A: Yes, we offer bespoke cabinetry and custom design services outside of the kitchen too. We also work on projects for larders & pantries, mudrooms, butler’s pantries, laundry rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, home offices & libraries, bars, and pool houses, often separated by our handmade glazed screens.
      
      Each space is crafted with the same level of detail, elegance, and timeless design that Plain English is known for.

General

1. Q: How long has Plain English been creating bespoke cabinetry?
   1. A: For more than thirty years, Plain English has set the benchmark for cabinetry inspired by classic British interiors. Plain English founders Katie Fontana and Tony Niblock began by designing the first simple, painted kitchen for a Suffolk Longhouse they were building. The design aesthetic of that original project referenced Katie’s fascination with the harmony and utility of Georgian ‘below stairs’ joinery and this is the place we still begin every project today.
      Today, our distinctive design language and cabinetry speak to all kinds of architectural settings and now extend to rooms beyond the kitchen. You can read more about our history via our About Us and Press pages.
2. Q: Where can I visit Plain English showrooms?
   1. A: You do not need to book an appointment to visit our showrooms in New York and Los Angeles.
      NEW YORK – 51 East Tenth Street, New York, NY 10003
      Monday to Friday 10 am – 5 pm.
      Saturday 11 am – 4 pm.LOS ANGELES – 930 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
      Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm.

Additional Details

1. Q: What additional items and services are available beyond cabinetry?
   1. A: We do not supply materials beyond our cabinetry, including but not limited to worktops, appliances, taps, and lighting. If you are working on a project with us or see a display item in one of our showrooms, our designers are happy to recommend and advise on these areas. We are unable to offer our Delft Tiles, ironmongery, colours, and tables & chairs individually from a larger project with us.

If you have drawings or floor plans, you are welcome to bring them in with you to visit us in one of our showrooms, submit them through our Enquiry Form, or email them to us at hello@plainenglishdesign.com. We would be delighted to schedule a design meeting with you to begin discussing your project in further detail.