Custom cabinets and trim for Hinsdale's historic and new homes

Robbins Park, landmarks and new houses

Hinsdale's Robbins Park Historic District, on the National Register since 2008, has 368 buildings. Colonial Revival is its most common style, then Queen Anne, with Italianate, Gothic Revival, Craftsman and bungalow houses mixed in; architects include E.E. Roberts and John S. Van Bergen. The village has 20 local landmarks. A 2001 village survey of the first section, platted in 1866, found that about a fifth of its houses were less than ten years old. The village is mostly in DuPage County, with a small part in Cook.

So a Hinsdale kitchen can be one of two jobs:

• In an older house: painted framed cabinets or stained wood inset, raised or shaker doors, crown and casing that match the house, sometimes a butler's pantry. We reproduce trim profiles that are no longer made.
• In a new house on an older lot: built from the architect's or builder's drawings, fabrication only or installed, with the kitchen, pantry, mudroom and built-ins in one order.

Do I need a permit, and does the historic district apply?

Hinsdale's permit page puts "Remodels/Renovations/Alterations" on the list of work that needs a permit. Its list of work that needs no permit submittal includes "Millwork/trim (casing)", "Painting" and "Replacement of flooring/Refinishing Hardwood floors." Cabinets are on neither list, so ask the village about a cabinet-only replacement. For a designated landmark or a house in a designated historic district, a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission is needed to alter it; the page does not say whether that covers interiors. (Village of Hinsdale, as read 2026-10-27; confirm for your address.) We pull the building permit ourselves when one is needed.

Work we have done in Hinsdale and other towns

• In Hinsdale, in a newer house: a built-in library, and new treads and railing on the stair.
• Western Springs: one whole house, from the kitchen and butler's pantry to the mudroom, laundry room, vanities, a closet and a built-in office.
• West Chicago: a rustic knotty pine kitchen with log-style island legs we made, and a blue-stained double vanity in the same house.

Permits, landmarks and trim: planning a Hinsdale kitchen

• Remodel or swap. Hinsdale lists remodels and alterations as permit work. Its list of work that needs no permit submittal includes millwork and trim (casing), painting and new flooring. Cabinets are on neither list, so ask the village about a cabinet-only replacement.
• Landmarks and districts. A designated landmark or a house in a designated historic district needs a Certificate of Appropriateness to alter it. The page does not say whether that reaches interiors, so ask before you plan.
• Old house or new. Hinsdale has both: Robbins Park's older houses and new houses on older lots. Our Hinsdale job was in a newer house. If yours is new, tell us whether an architect or a builder has drawings; we build to them.
• Trim. Nearly every job we do includes the trim, made to match the house.

Libraries, stairs and more for Hinsdale homes

In a newer Hinsdale house we built a library and new treads and railing on the stair. For houses here we also build:

• Libraries and home offices, painted or stained.
• Stairs, from new treads and railings to a full rebuild.
• Butler's pantries and mudrooms.
• Mantels and crown molding.
• Vanities and closets.

From drawings to the last stair tread in Hinsdale

1. The visit. It starts with a visit. We measure, we listen, and we give you a straight number. If it works for you, we design it with you, and only then do we build. Hinsdale is about an hour and ten minutes from the shop; the visit and consultation are free.
2. Drawings. From your architect or builder, priced as given, or through our design package, which ends with the final price after one major revision.
3. The permit, and the Certificate of Appropriateness where your house needs one.
4. The build. Roughly 6 to 8 weeks from signed drawings for an average kitchen; built-ins and closets usually 4 to 6.
5. Installation. A full kitchen usually takes 1 to 3 days to install; stair work is fitted on site.

Robbins Park and the newer streets, and nearby towns

The village runs from the Robbins Park Historic District and the first section, platted in 1866, to newer streets and subdivisions such as Golfview Hills and The Woodlands. Most of it is in DuPage County, with a small part in Cook. We serve all of Hinsdale. Nearby, we also serve Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Burr Ridge and Elmhurst; see all the towns we serve.

Hinsdale questions

Can you match the trim and casing in an old Hinsdale house?

Usually, yes. We reproduce custom and discontinued profiles. Millwork and trim (casing) are on the village's list of work that needs no permit submittal. See architectural millwork.

Do you build for new homes in Hinsdale?

Yes. We work for homeowners, general contractors, interior designers, developers and architects, and we price from your drawings and specs as given. See for general contractors.

Can you build a library for a newer house?

Yes. Our Hinsdale library is in a newer house, with new stair treads and railing in the same house.

Can you work on the stair in an older Hinsdale house?

Yes, from new treads and railing, as in our Hinsdale job, up to a full rebuild. See finish carpentry.

Is a Certificate of Appropriateness needed for new cabinets?

The village page says one is needed to alter a landmark or a house in a historic district, and does not say whether interiors count. Ask the village about your house.