Review : Crown Point Cabinetry–Updating the Meaning of Period

Crown Point has long been famous for period style cabinetry. Inset cabinet doors, old-fashioned authentic milk paint finishes, and the use of a variety of  native North American wood species helped brand Crown Point as one of the leaders in the market for reproduction kitchen cabinets. Recently while visiting the Crown Point website, I noticed some changes to their product line. In addition to the inset cabinets with exposed barrel hinges, furniture-style toe kicks, and classic brass hardware, I noticed a selection of partial overlay, full overlay/frameless cabinets, and exotic wood species channeling an ultra modern vibe. This was a huge departure from the Crown Point I was previously acquainted with so I promptly sent off an email to the company to learn more.

Here’s some things I learned about Crown Point. In 2006, they introduced their Transitional Line of frameless cabinetry. Now, I was remodeling a kitchen in 2007 and had the Crown Point promotional material sent to me (it came with a bag of microwave popcorn and a dvd). I don’t recall any European cabinet line but rather I do recall a company that seem very intent on only making inset cabinets. It is possible that the new line was not yet included in the printed material I received. While reading over the info that Stacey recently sent me, I was impressed to find out that Crown Point now uses Farrow & Ball paint. Swoon. For those of you unfamiliar with Farrow & Ball, we are talking 132 colours–not colors. This is high end paint. With a British accent. Of course, Crown Point still offers a milk paint finish–very old school.

The last few years have brought the introduction of new construction styles, including the tricked out Square Channel Front Frame suited for an Arts & Crafts style kitchen. It’s nice to see that, despite expanding their line to include transitional and modern cabinetry, Crown Point is still focusing on their period work.

That being said, they’ve also added exotic wood species to their repertoire. Bamboo (I know, not a wood but a grass), zebrawood, and sapele (both threatened African species) round out the door choices for Crown Point, and aesthetically add a lot to the simple slab door fronts. These woods are very popular, along with walnut, when designing a sleek modern kitchen. While mid-century modern furnishings utilized wood veneers, Crown Point’s quality doors are of solid construction natural woods.

Additionally, reclaimed antique woods are also available. I am enamored by the antique chestnut (upper far right) and the antique oak (lower far left). Reclaimed heart pine also rings my bell. While Crown Point is noted for their painted and white kitchens, they do a lovely job with wood as well. Quartersawn white oak (second from left upper & lower) is an elegant, timeless way to utilize a wood species that has fallen out of fashion since the 80′s. Of course, their paint finishes are above and beyond anything you would get from a semi-custom line. Each door piece is painted before construction so that cracks are not visible after installation when wood cabinetry expands and contracts.

Crown Point is a successful, family owned business out of New Hampshire. They’ve been designing high end custom cabinetry since the late 70′s. I find their website a bit difficult to navigate these days, but am willing to forgive them because it seems like they’ve really expanded and gone through changes at a rapid clip. Everything you need to know is on the website; it is full of great visuals and tons of information about the cabinetry. It sort of feels like a new website was made and just added to the old website. The equivalent of an unfitted kitchen? Well, that is a style choice! Whether or not you can afford one of their beautiful bespoke kitchens, do check out the site for inspiration.

Crown Point Cabinetry • 462 River Road • Claremont, NH 03743 • 800-999-4994

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