Pedini - integra in grey oak.This blog was created in order to put together as much information as possible about European kitchen design, European kitchen companies and the different kitchen brands that have been manufacturing custom kitchens and built in kitchens, in Europe for more then a century.
European kitchen designers are the first ones to introduce what we know today as the ‘built in kitchen’ – kitchens that are no longer ‘free-standing’ pieces of furniture (as they were 100 years ago) but kitchens that are designed to have the cabinetry fitting between two walls.
Companies like Snaidero, Boffi, Pedini, Dada, Varenna and Val Cucine, from Italy, Poggenpohl, SieMatic, Allmilmo and Bulthaup , from Germany and Smallbone and Clive Christian, from England are the pioneers, the innovators and the companies that set the tone in Europe – the same tone that then becomes the new look for kitchen design around the world.
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Hi kitchen guy
Great blog!
I have a question for you. I had a quote for binova (pura)and haecker kitchen and they are in the same price range with similar look.
Which one would you go for?
Thanks,
Fk
Hi Margherite,
Thanks for the compliments.
Both Binova and Häcker are great products, but i find them to different in style and overall feel – I think you must go with your personal taste and if you love them both equally – go with the better kitchen dealer/showroom.
Good luck and keep us posted.
kitchenguy
hi frakitchen, give us a try! We are a lot less expensive and we have a great product throughout the north american region.
call us and we can help with a lower price.
Dear Kitchen Guy,
it’s me again! we have decided to go for Hacker.
we live in a high humidity high temperature area, what will be the effect of the carcase of the Hacker kitchen?
a friend had poggenpohl kitchen installed, it looked beautiful on its first year, but carcase started to disintegrate on the second year.
thanks!
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia,
Sorry for the delayed response – I wanted to make sure that I’m giving you updated information and the German were on summer vacation.
Hacker and Poggenpohl have the same quality carcase (material, edging and glue).
Both products are developed for the use all around the world.
They withstand the normal use of a kitchen but should not be exposed to direct water or extreme high humidity for a long time.
Certain things should be avoided such as :
– long term storage in warehouses which are not air-conditioned
– installation in a non-air-conditioned room
– cleaning by using a lot of water
– exposure to water caused from leaking pipes
Good luck!
kitchenguy
The European Kitchen design looks amazing. I dig it!
The website is a wealth of information – but where do I start? We live in South East of England and are redesigning our kitchen and at the moment have only seen Leicht. What are the cheaper end of the Italian/German kitchen designers? We are looking for a design-led kitchen within a reasonable budget.
Many many thanks
Katie
Hi Katie,
Not sure which brands are available in your immediate area but one word of cautious – the “cheaper end” may end up being cheaper quality… Unlike a car, you’re not going to trade in your kitchen in a couple of years…
I suggest you start with my Top 20 list and see who’s around you – many of them offer more economic models, especially since the world recession.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Thanks for the advice.. Do you think Hacker and Leicht are a good starting point? As we are close to London we are probably able to get hold of most of the top 20, but just wanted a starting point….
Thanks
Katie
Dear Katie,
They are a good starting point.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Hello,
What is the top 20 list? what do you recommend Allmilmo or Hacker?
thanks
Isabelle – Top 20 is just what it is – the Top 20 brands.
I like Haecker better, as I feel you get more for your money, without sacrificing quality.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
just amazing gallery…..
but the blue one is a cold color for kitchen i think…
agreed!
Hi Kitchen Guy,
Do you know where I can get a knob that looks like the SieMatic polished chrome one in their BeauxArts collection? It looks like a pointy egg shape. They won’t sell it individually 🙁
Thanks!
Hi Mrs. B,
These look like they are proprietary knobs that they are either sourcing somewhere, as a ‘private label’ are that they are actually having made for them.
Between you, me, and the lamppost, these are not that pretty and this shape is always a problem, as they start twisting after a while, which make you have to straighten them all the time…
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchen Guy,
Where was the Composit S.p.A. brand in your top 10 and top 20 kitchen companies
Cheers
Mark
Sorry Mark – It didn’t make it into my Top 20…
Ciao,
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchen Guy,
we need cabinets for two walls 7ft and 11ft and
we’ve been looking for options to update our kitchen under 10 K $
do you think we can find any decent german or italian brand that can offer us a modern look and quality ?
**********************************************
P.S. we are in Brooklyn NY and so far checked the cheapest and most known like Ikea and Aran Kitchens and this not very known to general public brand Merx that is based in Ukraine and makes cabinets on Italian equipment , you can check it here http://www.merx.ua/catalog/kuxni/kitchen/sovremennyij_stil/
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thank you
Straanger – 18ft of cabinets, at under $10K…?!? That’s less than $550 a linear foot… – No decent brand, German, Italian or from anywhere else in the world can do that. You’ll need to go with IKEA, Aran or Chinese cabinets…
Sorry and good luck,
kitchenguy
what do you think of Aran ?
Straanger – Aran is a ‘price driven product’, so the quality is low and the design is pretty much a simple copy of the higher-end brands.
kitchenguy
Hey bro,
What about FIAMBERTI cucine?
Do You know it?
Is it good?
the design is faboulos but what about the price?
Ciao Giorgio,
Fiamberti is a medium quality (and should be medium price too) product.
The design offerings are limited and none are original.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
I was looking at a kitchen from pogenpohl. I’m a little concerned about the use of wood veneer. I grew up thinking that wood veneer was the cheap alternative to natural wood so it is kind of conflicting to pay so much money for a pogenpohl kitchen that used wood veneer.
Hi kitchengal :),
You’ve got all your woods mixed up…
Wood veneer IS natural wood – it is just a thin sheet of wood that is used in 99.9% of the time, when it is a flat (slab) door. Only a raised or recessed panel door can be built out of solid wood. Also, in many wood species, solid planks are too expensive or are not available altogether.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Kitchen Guy:
We are in the process of building a custom very modern home in Houston and love the look of the Bulthaup/Poggenpohl type of kitchen. What other options do you suggest that may have the same type of look more economically that are available in the USA? If they don’t have a showroom in Houston will they still work with us?
Thanks for your help!
Curious in Houston
Hi J,
Look at my Top 20 list – most of these brands are available in the US, but the only one that I can think of, that is similar in looks and quality and may come in less expensive is Pedini.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
which you like best: LUBE or ARAN? thanks…. Venezuela
Hi Marjorie,
This is a hard question, as the words “like best” just do not fit my feelings towards both products… In order for me to “like best” a product, it must posses some special design features, high quality or at lease exceptional customer service level. These two products are price driven and being so, I will pick the one that is better priced.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Hi, can I get the a list of world rating on kicthen brands, be it brand/price/number of kitchens sold/design strength/technology innovation/awards won etc…sort of an in-depth reflective report/data as perceived.Anyone please with this data,even if it not comprehensive..thx
Balbir – that’s a tall order… Not aware of anything like that available…
kitchenguy
Thanks for your revert, Rgds, Balbir
Thanks, will work on the 20 top brands suggested in your blog, good enough. Secondly, I am kitchen consultant now after having worked for a decade in the modular kitchen business or so and looking for brands wanting to step into India. I as an agent will help find the distributor or dealer. Any suggestions, I am ofcourse writing to all in the list provided by your self.Rgds, Balbir
Hi again,
I’ll check with my connections and perhaps someone will see this post and contact you via this blog – will keep you posted.
kitchenguy
Hi, What is your perception about brands like Doimo and Veneta Cucine please? Rgds, Balbir
Hi,
Low end, price driven product.
Unless you’re going to stock it in India and/or do only very basic design, you may find it difficult to work with them.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Thx very much, veneta is already in India since 15 years and has a large market share and dealer presence is the tallest. Doimo is yet to come.Difficulty to work in terms of design and innovation I hope?
Hi, will you also be kind enough to suggest other names suitable to come into Indian market? How are names like Arc Linea/Binova/Schiffini/strato & Toncelli from Indian market perspective. I will not mind if you would like to communicate outside the blog to me at my ID please. It will help me make up my mind and in confidentiality for both. Rgds, Balbir
Will do, Balnir.
Thanks.
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hey kitchen guy,
what do you think about the Italain kitchen brand .elmar? Is is a high end brand or a price driven product.
Hi,
It is a medium quality, medium price brand.
kitchenguy
How much does a Pedini kitchen cost ?
See my reply at http://european-kitchen-design.com/about/comment-page-3#comment-8102.
Thanks,
kitchenguy
I love the Pedini kitchens. Does any one have an idea on the cost.
Jackie – I love them too :).
The cost varies a lot, depending on the model – they start very low, on their Magika model or the brand new Eko model (new catalog is available on their site) and ends high, on their Dune, Integra and even higher on the Lamborghini collection.
Your best bet is to visit one of their dealers and get a price.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Hi KitchenGuy – great site and lots of useful info. I’m in Miami area, considering SieMatic or Poggenpohl. Any thoughts, pros/cons or other brands I should consider that offer good value? (not, cheap, just good/high quality for price!) – thanks!
Hi Julia,
Thanks for the kind words.
Both are good quality brands – you’ll find that SieMatic is a bit more unique and higher in quality, but also pricier than Poggenpohl.
Other high quality brand you should perhaps consider (in Miami) – try Pedini.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Hey Kitchen Guy
My son wants to produce european quality kitchens in Canada. Is there a cabinet making school you could recommend in Europe?
Thanks, Tiziano
Hi KitchenGuy
We’re currently looking at Eggersman, Schueller, Rotpunkt and Pronorm kitchens. All distributors obviously say that there product is the best, so I would really love your unbiased opinion as to what you think of one?
Thanks! Julie
p.s. love your blog
Hi Julie – thanks for the kind words.
These are my picks, in the order from best, to less – Schuller, Eggersman, Rotpunkt and Pronorm.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Hi KitchenGuy. Many thanks for your rating. I’m really keen to know why you put them in this order and why you rate Schuller higher than Eggersman? I know that Schuller is less expensive, so if you take cost out of the equation, would you still put Schuller at the top? We were led to beleive that Eggersman was top-end premium brand, with Schuller and Pronorm on a simliar mid-range level and Rotpunkt a low-end German brand. Would you disagree with this?
Thanks!
Julie
Hi Julie,
My picks are based not just on product quality but also value and that is my personal opinion (one’s value is only in his eyes).
When I listed, my Top 20, I left Value out of it and so Eggersman made it but Schuller didn’t…
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy, your web site is fantastic. I am looking at a new kitchen and have had similar designs and prices for Snaidero and Sie Matic – do you think there is any difference in quality? Would you have a preference between the two?
Thanks
Katie
Hi Katie – both are equally good!
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Can you give me your opinion regarding kitchen cabinets made by 27estore?
Regards.
Hi Joy,
Never heard of these guys before, but from inspecting their web site, it looks like a cabinet line out of Eastern Europe and/or China (looks like two cabinet lines, in this one web site). They are RTA (knocked down/flat pack) cabinets and I would guess they are Ikea level.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Hi,
Need to learn about Stainless Steel kitchens, which are the good ones lets say 5 companies you would suggest.
Thx
Balbir
Balbir – stainless kitchens? As in commercial kitchens? or residential brands, that offer stainless doors?
kitchenguy
Hello KitchenGuy,
We were initially debating between Poggenpohl and Siematic brands (we are in south florida), but any thoughts or views on spanish Porcelanosa at all (or more on the former german ones). Thank much.
Julia – both Poggenpohl and SieMatic are great products. SieMatic is a higher end, but also more expensive. The kitchens at Porcelanosa is actually a company they purchased a few years back, called Gama-decor. I’m not impressed by their quality and the US stores are being forced to sell it (by the mother company, in Spain) – you can tell the sales people are neither interested in selling kitchens, not do they know how…
The first two are a much better choice!
Good luck!
kitchenguy
What a wealth of info on this website! thank you!
We are in Ukraine and have found two kitchens- similarly prices. Could you please comment on the Nolte (German) kitchen and the Mesons (Italian)?
Do you think either are worth 20k euros for 15m wall of cabinets( with out counter top or accessories)?
We are looking for a sturdy, solid kitchen- quality in workmanship, mechanisms and material.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Rachel – no comparison… Mesons is a lot more exciting! It has great looks and good quality. Nolte is a price driven product…
Oh… and 20K Euro is very reasonable!
kitchenguy
interesting.
The nolte feels a lot more sturdy. the sales lady stood in the draw to show us that it can hold 70kg of weight. they have a lot more choices in material of the closets.and can work with you- ie more sizes available- so it seems, to fit our kitchen plan.
The mesons didn’t seem as solid/sturdy- though the sales lady said that the cabinets that they have in their show room are made with the old mechanism (bloom) and now they use a better one (grass- or something like that). from all the materials, laminate seems to me to be the best quality that they offer but apparently they are stopping with that and they now only have a few choices of different creams to choose from. Mesons is also not able to work with ones kitchen- cos it is all standard sizes- and not a large variety. in the style we liked, the counter top is higher than regular and they cannot lower it.
1) Do you know what mechanisms they both use?
2)and would you suggest that we buy a mesons kitchen?. cos in your whole blog i didn’t see its name once. is it a solid good quality kitchen? I need mine to last and also to handle many kids:).
3)from your top 20, there is only scavolini and (they wanted 90K) sold near us. Is scavolini a much better kitchen?
4)Haker sold in a city 10 hours from us. Is it realistic to buy from seeing the catalog and not sitting down with a live salesman- if we already have our plans? is its quality much better that you might suggest doing that?
Thanks for your time and reply and listening to my long ramble?
Rachel – you got a good sales lady… 🙂 Standing in the drawer is an old trick…
They are both good product. My main reason for choosing Mesons is the design – I like them much better. If your main focus is on the cabinets being solid and Nolte feels better for you, than go for it!
I haven’t mention most of the brands in my blog – there are just too many and I try to focus on the ones that are more interesting. Scavolini is not a better kitchen than Nolte and 10 hours sounds a bit far… – what happens when you need service…?
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Thank you very much. You have been very helpful and I see that you work after hours! Much appreciated!
Rachel
You welcome!
one more thing please- if you know. which mechanism is better? ( what do they use?)
thanks
Rachel – all of them are good – Blum. Grass or Hettich.
kitchenguy
hi?kitchenguy,can you recommend some website of associations or societis of the European cabinet?thanks
Sarah – see the ones listed at the bottom of this page, on the right, under KITCHEN & BATH ASSOCIATIONS + SEMI – RELATED LINKS.
kitchenguy
Dear Kitchenguy,
Please compare briefly for me the qualities of Torchetti and Bontempi kitchens. I was explained that while the price difference is not huge, Bontempi is a way better choice qualitiwise. Is it so? Thank you!
Igor
Igor – similar, though I think Torchetti has a small slight edge.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Thank you! That’s interesting. But, are they both of decent quality?
Igor
Igor – ‘decent’ is a relative term… 🙂 I like the Torcetti better and so in my mind, they are much more decent than Bontempi…
kitchenguy
Hi,
I am building a new house in Bangalore, India.
Have around 20feet kitchen length.
Planning for 4 tall units(one of them having microwave oven).
I guess that leaves around 10 feet for the rest.
Want just 2-3 overhead units and rest…low pullouts.
I checked out veneta cucine, they quoted around 20K$ …everything imported.
I also checked out…a company that imports benedetto shutters. your comments??
Should I check out poggenpohl, nolte??
shashikiran
Shashikiran – Not familiar with ‘benedetto shutters’ and so I cant comment. You should most definitely check out other brands as Veneta is a very ‘price driven’ product and the quality is not great…
Good luck!
kitchenguy
What is your opinion of Kvanum? You can get Kvanum cabinets in acrilux. What is acrilux? Is it a good product? thx
Hi Stefan,
I saw Kvanum in Eurocucina two years ago and liked their traditional product very much. Not sure about the pricing though, as it is not available everywhere and I haven’t had the chance to review a real quote. Never saw their modern line, first hand, but it looks very nice in pictures.
Acrilux is less expensive alternative to the lacquer finish – it is applied to MDF and coated with a thermoplastic. Main characteristics are a glossy, mirror like bright finish, somewhat scratch resistance, and claim to be UV resistant and eco-friendly.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
My brother recommended I might like this web site. He used to be totally right. This put up actually made my day. You cann’t believe just how so much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
You’re very welcome!
Hi,
I have been looking at a lot of German kitchens in UK. I have confused across Hacker, Schuller, Pronorm, RWK and Eggerman. What would you reccomend based on quality of product (not design)? Your website has been very helpful and I really appreciate it.
Thanks…
Hi Shah,
In order of quality – Häcker and Eggersman at the top, then Schüller and lastly Pronorm and RWK.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
hi,
I am constructing a house in Bangalore.
Between Nolte and Poggenpohl, which do you(and others) suggest I go with?
Any other comapanies… worth looking at in Bangalore?
Shashikiran
Shashikiran – Poggenpohl is a more exciting product and the quality is a bit better too. I’m sure that it costs more as well, so you’ll need to do your own budgetary decision.
Regarding other companies – not sure whether you’re looking to go ‘higher end’ or ‘lower price’. Also, what other brands are already in Bangalore (I only know of the lower end brands that are there).
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy,
Great website and a lot of work, thank you. I would appreciate any thoughts you have on Santos kitchens.
Thanks
PR – thanks for the kind words.
I like Santos – a nice company, fun product and a good ‘quality to price ratio’!
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Hi,
For my Kitchen, I have had to drop the german brands for their exhorbitant costs. I have to now choose among scavolini, lube cucine and spagnol cucine. Your recommendations?
Shashikiran
Shashikiran – being that all 3 brands you’re now looking at are ‘price driven’ I suggest you look at other factors, such as the local dealership, the designer who will be designing your kitchen, etc – these are just as important!
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Hi so much info, thank you. We are currently designing our dream kitchen, currently we are considering beaux art SieMatic and bulthaup, while we like the look of the beaux arts we have concerns over the quality,it seems flimsy compared to bulthaup. Also concerned it might date quicker. Any thoughts especially about quality
Hi – If you like the look of the Beaux Arts kitchen, but feel that it is a bit flimsy, than perhaps you need to look at other products that are similar in look – Bulthaup doesn’t offer anything along these lines… Where in the world are you located?
kitchenguy
Thanks for your quick response. I am in Munich so should have easy access to any German design. Who would you consider
Dear Kitchenguy, thank you for your very informative web site.
We are choosing between Leicht and Haecker.
I noticed that you do not list Leicht in your top 20 (and I am mildly curious why). I understand that Haecker’s top end (Emotion) is indeed very interesting and is clearly a top 20. But in their budget Classic collection catalog it appears that there is only a limited number of units and the sides of drawers appear to be too shallow. In that sense Haecker’s Classic appears to be not much better (in functionality) than budget Leicht’s Kanto. Am I missing something here?
Would you think that Kanto Leicht and Classic Hacker are a like-for-like comparison? How would you rank the various collections of Haecker and Leicht relative to each other.
Thank you very much in advance, Curious
Curious – the answer to your question is in My Top 20 criteria’s: “PRODUCT INNOVATION – is this a kitchen brand that takes risks, that is on the cutting edge of technology and innovates or just a company that copies others?” – Häcker does, Leicht doesn’t…
Good luck buying (or selling) a kitchen!
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy,
Great insightful blog.
We currently operate a showroom that displays both SCIC and Burbidge. We used to work with Grovewood and were quite successful penetrating the market with such a brand, but unfortunately the company went under. Now with our current brands its been quite hard to market both suppleirs. We are targeting both commercial range and high end customers.
Commercial Range – Burbidge: does not offer complete kitchen units, and therefore many of the products have to be purchased from the local market.
High-end – SCIC: is more of an integrator, not aggressive in marketing, and is to expensive for the customer’s it targets.
Based on a survey a conducted in the local market for the commercial range Bauformat, Nolte, Alma, Aran and Alno are currently doing quite well and have a great market share.
Can you please recommend comparable brands that would be good to market for projects? We are looking for a brand that has a wide range. (preferably Gemany/Italian)
Unfortunately the market is price driven, which is what we are looking for.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Ali
Hi Ali,
First and foremost – I must know where in the world you are located. That will help me in choosing brands to offer you.
Thanks,
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy,
I’m located in the Middle East.
Best,
Ali
which country…?
Qatar.
Thanks.
Hi Ali – since all the brands you’ve mentioned (Bauformat, Nolte, Alma, Aran and Alno) are very ‘price driven’ and you’ve specifically asked for one, these are my recommendations:
– From Germany, the only products that can compete with ‘Burger from Bauformat’, ‘Express by Nolte’ and ‘Pino or Impulse from Alno’, will have to be a knocked down product…
– On the Italian side, there are a few more options – try Colombini, Stosa, or Veneta Cucine.
If you’re ready to offer higher-end products, let me know and i’ll make some other suggestions.
Good luck,
kitchenguy
Great response. I’ll definitely take the brands you mentioned into consideration. (Stosa already represented)
I definitely have more to share. Can you email me directly? and we’ll start discussing other high-end brands.
Best,
Ali
Sure thing, Ali – I will!
kitchenguy
Dear Kitchen Guy,
Help – Caesartone or Silestone kitchen countertop ? Or any other option ?
Thanks,
Sylvia
Sylvia – Caesarstone! I like their colors better, they seem to be more innovative and in many parts of the world they have better service and more availability of materials in stock.
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy,
Just wondering about a company on your top 20 list – smallbone. I’m looking for a high end american made cabinet, does smallbone manufacturer in the USA at all? Also heard a rumor that they weren’t doing well and have closed locations. Who would be a comparable high end US product?
Thanks,
Mrs B
Mrs B – Smallbone has always been manufactured in Devisez, England. They have gone through some tough times, and like many other higher end brands, I’m sure they are struggling to stay above water now a days. In the US, there are many higher end manufacturers that can give you a comparable quality product. Depending on the look you’re trying to achieve (Smallbone has several signature looks/designs) and you location in the US, I would be able to make some recommendations.
kitchenguy
Hi
What do you know about Miton in Italy ?
Keep up the good work with your site
Paul
Paul – Miton (AKA Cubo Design) is a young company, that was founded by the original owner of Aran Cucine – Mr. Antonio Arangiaro (that’s where the Aran name came from…). After selling Aran to Masco, he remained the landlord of the factory itself. Later on, Masco lost interest in Aran and sold it to several of Aran’s managers. In 2007, when the ‘non compete’ with Aran expired, Mr. Arangiaro started Miton (name after his kids) on the same land, next door to Aran. The company produces similar products to Aran, which are ‘price driven’.
Hope this helps.
kitchenguy
Thanks!
Hi there,
i came across your bog whilst searching the web for some answers as to which kitchen I should buy. The chose is between Hacker, Schuller and Pronorm – is there really any obvious difference on the products? hacker seems to be the more expensive of the three. I want something that is stylish, functional and reasonably priced. The choice is to to with a higher end doors (gloss lacquer) with the Pronorm or to go with an acrylic door for more money with the Hacker – your thoughts would be much appreciated.
thank you!
Farah – think of it like that: between the 3 that you have chosen, Häcker will be the Mercedes, Schüller is the Volswagen and Pronorm is the Opel. Now, do you prefer driving an Opel Insignia, than a Mercedes C300…? Besides the door, Häcker is made much better than Pronorm (box, drawer, etc.) and Schüller is in the middle.
I hope this helps and good luck!
kitchenguy
I have my kitchen design quoted in both Leight & Stosa. Stosa is almost 10k less. My kitchen guy tells me this is mostly attibutable to the high gloss factor. He says its more costly to produce high gloss in Germany due to more stringent codes during manufacturing process. Is this true? And is the high gloss and quality comparable between the two suppliers? I do want to save the 10k but I also want a kitchen that will endure…
Vicki
Vicki – it sounds like a sales pitch to me…
Even if it does cost a little more, it will not translate to more than a few hundred, not 10,000…
The 10K difference is due to two factors – All Things Being Equal, German kitchens are a bit more expensive that the Italians, but the bigger difference derives from the fact that Leicht is on a higher level than Stosa… Being that I don’t have the total price, the design, etc. I can’t tell you if it is worth it, but the salesperson worries me… 🙂
Good luck,
kitchenguy
What is the difference between Nolte’s Kitchen & wardrobes Vs its Express Kitchen & wardrobes ? Is there lot of qulaity difference? Can we go with Express brand.
Kavita – Express is a local company, not a brand – can’t compare the two…
kitchenguy
Hi Kitchenguy,
You have created and excelent and very useful site.
I am located in Miami and looking into buying a new Kitchen that hope to last long. I have young kids so also looking to be resistants. I am currently trying to decide between buying a Nolte Kitchen or just a Custom made, real wood, kitchen with a local person that I know does nice jobs. My question is if you can give me an advice regarding the cons and pros of each option. Nolte option is 20% more expensive. Any other suggestion to look in this area? Thx for your help.
MC – I usually prefer the ‘factory made’ over the ‘custom made’, especially when it is 20% less… – you see, ‘custom made’ cabinets like that are usually nothing more than a carpenter, buying inferior parts, putting them together and selling them to you as ‘custom’… – he doesn’t have the right machinery and/or the buying power, to be able to be cheaper on the same goods.
Unless we’re talking real carpenter/artist, creating traditional ‘hand-made’ cabinets (and even then, not always) – forget it…
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Just and additional comment, the custom made kitchen will use al Blum systems…is it ok? Thx
It’s okay, but the rest will be inferior, otherwise, he will not be able to come 20% under ‘factory made’…
Think about that – can you buy a quality ‘custom made’ suit for 20% less than a suit from a brand…?
Good luck,
kitchenguy
What are your views on the Kanto Leicht range? Some say its cheap and only for development projects? But if I am looking for a white gloss kitchen, with only standard units then is it a good idea? I’m still struggling to choose between Leicht, Hacker Classic and Schueller C3. All seem very good and the quotes coming up similar, with the Classic the cheapest so far.
Rupert
Rupert – all manufacturers today have an economy line, for projects and for people who are looking to save money, by going with standard units. If Classic is coming out cheaper, than that’s the right one!
Good luck!
kitchenguy
Dear Kitchenguy
I am on the verge of choosing a Beckermann kitchen over a Hacker. Both appear to have very similar build, and the fronts appear identical (certainly the colour anyway). Are you aware of any build quality differences? Also, the Beckerman carcasses use 16mm particle board, whereby other suppliers sell themselves on using “stronger” 18mm. The Beckermann salseman says the Germans use a higher density particle board than 18mm in the UK, so strenght is not compromised. Do you have any comment on this claim?
Cheers
Paul
Paul – 16mm, vs. 18mm should not matter, when you’re dealing with a quality product. After all most of the kitchen will have cabinets connected to each other, which will actually make 32mm…
If you like Beckermann better, I’m sure you have good reasons and so go for it!
kitchenguy
Hi – love the blog.
I am looking for a new kitchen. My last 2 were Poggenpohl and I am looking to change it up a bit. I visited the Dada showroom at Molteni & Co in Miami and was quite impressed with what I saw. How do you think Dada compares to Poggenpohl?
Rob
Rob – Dada is a fine product – more unique than Poggenpohl and the quality is as good, if not better.
Go for it!
kitchenguy