Kitchen Cabinetry

A modular cabinet system uses a set of standard unit sizes assembled in different configurations. A fully modular kitchen is built entirely from that fixed range. There’s no variation beyond how the units are arranged. We take a different approach at Smith & Smith: every cabinet is built entirely to measure so your kitchen is shaped by your space and needs rather than predetermined units.

Smith & Smith has a standard range of Kitchen Cabinet sizes (modules) that are used to build our kitchens, as is consistent within the custom kitchen industry. What sets Smith & Smith apart from modular kitchen companies is that our kitchen range is almost endless. There is no limit to the colour, configuration or size options for the kitchens or cabinetry you choose. In addition, non-standard cabinets that are constructed for your kitchen are not merely 'filler' cabinets. They are carefully designed to ensure a professional look & to fit with the sizing of the other cabinets within the kitchen.

Beware of kitchen companies & flat-pack manufacturers that use inferior thinner cabinet carcass material. These will in time strain, warp & degrade faster than thicker more dense materials appropriate for kitchen construction.

Face frame cabinetry and non-face frame (also known as frameless or European style) cabinetry are two common styles used in cabinet construction. Here's a simple explanation of the difference between them:

Face Frame Cabinetry

- In face frame cabinetry, there's a frame attached to the front of the cabinet box. Our Featherstone and Thorne projects are examples of face frame cabinetry with shaker doors.

- This frame typically consists of horizontal and vertical pieces of solid wood, forming a frame around the front edges of the cabinet.

- Doors and drawers are usually attached to this frame, providing support and structure.

- Face frame cabinetry often has a more traditional look and may have visible lines between the doors and drawers.

Non-Face Frame (Frameless or European Style) Cabinetry

- In non-face frame cabinetry, there's no front frame attached to the cabinet box.

- Doors and drawers are directly attached to the sides of the cabinet box.

- This style offers a sleek, modern appearance with minimal visible lines between doors and drawers.

- It maximizes interior space utilization since there's no frame taking up space at the front of the cabinet.

In summary, the primary difference lies in whether there's a visible front frame (face frame cabinetry) or not (non-face frame cabinetry). Each style has its own aesthetic appeal and functional advantages, and the choice between them often depends on personal preference and the desired look for the space.

In the Australian market, frameless cabinetry has become a top choice for contemporary kitchens, where clean lines and full use of interior space are priorities. Face frame cabinetry suits more traditional or period-inspired homes. The visible timber border around each door adds heaps of character to the overall space. At Smith & Smith, we build both styles entirely to measure, so the decision comes down to the look you’re after and the feeling you want your kitchen to have.

There are four distinct types of kitchen cabinets:

- Shaker-style kitchen cabinets, our most popular door style. The five-piece door with a recessed centre panel suits both contemporary and classic kitchens equally. It takes colour particularly well, whether you prefer a nice off-white or a deep charcoal.

- Flat-front cabinetry is also called slab-front. It has a single flush door with no visible frame or recess. It suits modern kitchens where the focus is on clean lines, integrated handles, or a statement material.

- Two-pack painted cabinetry uses a hard, factory-applied finish for a consistent colour across every door. It’s more durable than a brush-applied paint and comes in a wide range of colours.

- Timber veneer and solid timber doors bring natural grain and warmth to your kitchen. Veneer bonds a thin slice of real timber to a substrate for stability; solid timber doors can be refinished over time.

Every cabinet we build is manufactured to measure at our Rowville factory in Melbourne's south-east.

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Every kitchen starts with a design consultation at our showroom. One of our designers will go through your space and take measurements. They’ll also learn more about your needs, from storage priorities to how the room is used day to day. -From there, we produce custom drawings and a fixed quote. Once you’re happy with the design and you’ve signed off the quote, we begin manufacturing.

We build every cabinet made to measure for your kitchen. Manufacturing takes 8 to 10 weeks from quote sign-off and deposit.

Installation typically takes just two days. Allow an extra two to four weeks if your kitchen includes stone benchtops. Don’t worry; we fit a temporary benchtop while the stone is templated and cut.

The design consultation is where it really starts. We go through the space properly, look at how the room actually gets used, and work through the options together. By the end of that first session, most clients have a clear direction.

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