Custom kitchens, built-ins and stairs for Wilmette homes

Ouilmette, Gross Point and the Prairie houses

Wilmette is named for Archange and Antoine Ouilmette; in 1829 the government awarded Archange 1,280 acres here. The village incorporated in 1872 and grew with the trains, from 419 people in 1880 to 15,233 in 1930. In 1924 and 1926 it annexed the separate village of Gross Point, now West Wilmette, and after the war subdivisions filled the farmland west of Ridge Road. Wilmette has 38 local landmarks and three National Register historic districts: the Village Center, Oak Circle and Ouilmette North. Ouilmette North alone has 911 contributing buildings, from Queen Anne to Prairie School to 1920s revival styles, with Prairie houses by William Drummond and John Van Bergen. Oak Circle, the village's first historic district, has 15 homes on a curved street; twelve are bungalows, three of them airplane bungalows. Frank Lloyd Wright's Baker House of 1909 is a local landmark.

Prairie house, bungalow, postwar or new, the job starts there:

• In a Prairie, Craftsman or bungalow house: stained or painted wood; we match the casings and build cabinets that sit with the house. We reproduce trim profiles that are no longer sold.
• In a postwar house in West Wilmette: a new kitchen, a family-room built-in, or stair work, in the layout you choose.
• In a newer house: built from the architect's or builder's drawings.

Wilmette lists cabinets as permit work

Yes. Wilmette's permit list opens "The following require permits in Wilmette:" and under "Carpentry:" its first line is "Cabinets (kitchen, bath, etc.)". The same list puts "Stairways" under carpentry too. Its list of work that needs no permit includes "Wall coverings, painting." (Village of Wilmette Permits Required List, as read 2026-10-28; confirm for your address.)

So Wilmette's list names cabinets and stairways as permit work. Ask the village about your plan; we pull the permit when one is required. If your house is a local landmark or in one of the historic districts, ask the village about review before you plan; its preservation commission reviews proposals to alter landmarks.

Permits, built-ins and stairs: planning a Wilmette project

• The permit. In Wilmette, cabinets and stairways are on the permit list. Plan the permit into the schedule from the start; we pull it when one is required.
• The entertainment center. Bring the size of the TV and the equipment that goes in it; we plan the openings and the wire paths. Any new wiring is a licensed electrician's.
• The stair. From new treads and a railing to a full rebuild. Tell us whether the stair squeaks, moves or just looks tired.
• An older house. In a Prairie or Craftsman house, the trim matters as much as the cabinets. Nearly every job we do includes the trim around it.
• Drawings. Plans from your architect or builder, priced as drawn, or our design package.

Kitchens, entertainment centers and stairs for Wilmette homes

A kitchen, an entertainment center, stairs and a library wall are our work on record in Wilmette. Other work we take on, in an older house or a newer one:

• Kitchens: painted or stained wood doors, framed or inset, or European-style frameless flat-panel, our specialty.
• Built-ins: bookcases, libraries, home offices and window benches.
• Vanities, closets and mudrooms.
• Pantries and bars.
• Mantels and crown molding.

Visit, drawings, the Wilmette permit, build and install

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. Wilmette is just under an hour from the shop. Your first visit and consultation are free.
2. Drawings. From the drawings your architect or builder made, priced as given, or our design package, which ends with the final price after one major revision.
3. The permit, which Wilmette asks for on cabinets and stairs.
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; a single built-in takes less, and stair work is fitted on site.

The lakefront, West Wilmette and nearby towns

Wilmette sits on Lake Michigan about 14 miles north of the Loop, the first suburb north of Evanston, in Cook County. It runs from the lakefront, the Bahá'í House of Worship and Plaza del Lago to Ouilmette North, the Village Center and West Wilmette. The North Shore Channel ends here. We serve all of Wilmette. Nearby, see our pages for Kenilworth, Winnetka and Glenview, or all the towns we serve. We also serve Evanston, Skokie and Northfield.

Wilmette questions

Does Wilmette require a permit for kitchen cabinets?

Yes. The village's permit list names "Cabinets (kitchen, bath, etc.)" under carpentry. Ask the village about your plan; we pull a permit when one is required.

Do you build entertainment centers?

Yes. In Wilmette we built a big one. Bring the TV size and the equipment list to the visit.

Can you work on the stair?

Yes. In Wilmette we built stairs. We do everything from new treads and railing up to a full rebuild. Wilmette lists stairways as permit work; ask the village whether treads and railing alone need one.

Can you match the trim in a Prairie or Craftsman house?

Usually, yes. We reproduce custom and discontinued profiles.

What if my house is a Wilmette landmark?

The village has 38 local landmarks and a Historic Preservation Commission that reviews proposals to alter them. Ask the village before you plan.

How long is the drive to Wilmette?

About 42 miles, just under an hour from Spring Grove.