Our Bespoke Kitchen Design & Build Process
A Clear, End-to-end Process from First Conversation to Installation
01. Initial Consultation
Every Papilio kitchen is driven by your needs and inspired by your ideas. We offer a clear, end-to-end process from first conversation to installation.
Our bespoke kitchens are handcrafted to reflect your unique style and the architecture of your property.
We collaborate with you throughout, offering thoughtful consultation and clear communication at every step. The first consultation and initial concept design are complementary, providing a personal introduction and an opportunity to understand your brief in depth.
02. Site Survey & Brief
We make all our kitchens the traditional way, using time-honoured skills and techniques to ensure both authenticity and durability.
Our bespoke kitchen design process and build methods include a site survey and detailed brief, allowing us to tailor every aspect to your vision. Each kitchen is handcrafted in the West Country by experienced cabinetmakers, who combine state-of-the-art machinery with traditional tools and methods passed down through generations.
Our unique approach guarantees every bespoke kitchen is one-of-a-kind and truly reflects your personal requirements.
03. Concept Design & Layout Planning
Concept design and layout planning are what set Papilio apart. Our truly bespoke kitchens are designed in collaboration with you. We work closely with our clients to consider every aspect, from cabinetry, storage, and workspace to lighting and appliances, and from aesthetics and finishes to layout.
Our design team are experts in concept design and layout planning, which is crucial in designing a new kitchen. Whether you want a handmade kitchen island or the perfect L-shaped configuration, we consider every option to design the ideal solution. We also specialise in sculleries, pantries, boot rooms, and pet stations, so our bespoke kitchens always exceed expectations.
04. Materials, Finishes & Appliance Specification
Papilio’s signature lies in the quality of the materials, joinery, and construction of our handmade, bespoke luxury kitchens. Our master cabinetmakers have the skills and talent to create almost anything, and our decades in the business enable us to source the best supplies in the industry.
From rare marble to the latest engineered materials, designer hardware and lighting. Our team can transform a space with detailing built to last.
Attention to detail is very important to us. We take great pride in the finishes, worktop details, and hardware we manufacture and select. We know these aspects can make a significant, long-lasting difference to the final result of our bespoke kitchens.
05. Detailed Design & Sign-off
Papilio’s bespoke kitchen design process ensures a detailed design.
You might be dreaming of a Scandinavian kitchen, a modern kitchen, or a luxury country kitchen that impresses. You might love aspects of a natural kitchen but want to incorporate contemporary designer lighting, or your farmhouse needs a modern twist for the home-chef in you. Our detailed design process will ensure a handmade kitchen that’s perfect for you.
Our team will help you make informed decisions every step of the way until you are ready to sign off.
06. Build, Project Management & Installation
At Papilio, we take care of full build, comprehensive project management and installation.
Our cabinetmakers and installers have years of experience in achieving a meticulous finish. Because we select only the best materials for each project, we know the final kitchen will be of the highest quality, with detail at the forefront.
Manufacture takes around 8 weeks from the time the design is signed off. Your handmade kitchen is manufactured and fully constructed in our workshop, including pre-fitting of all appliances. The kitchen is then deconstructed and installed in your home.
Aftercare & Snagging
We believe in good communication, so we will talk you through how to look after your new kitchen. Depending on the materials used, whether marble, oak, copper or engineered materials, we will advise on best practice.
Our kitchens are guaranteed for 10 years. If any cabinetry we craft fails, subject to fair wear and tear, we will repair or replace the faulty item. This guarantee covers any doors, cupboards, shelves, or drawers we build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Papilio different from other kitchen companies?
At Papilio, we don't believe a kitchen should simply fill a space. It should enhance the architecture of your home and reflect the way you live.
Every project begins with a blank sheet of paper. We don't work from standard cabinet sizes or fixed collections, allowing every detail to be considered, from proportions and materiality through to the way drawers open, light falls across surfaces and spaces connect.
Our furniture is handcrafted in Britain using carefully selected materials and traditional cabinet making techniques, combined with modern engineering and precision manufacturing. The result is furniture designed to last for decades rather than follow short term trends.
Most importantly, we deliberately take on a limited number of commissions each year, allowing us to remain personally involved throughout every stage of the project.
How much does a bespoke kitchen cost?
Every Papilio kitchen is individually designed and manufactured, so there isn't a standard price.
As a guide:
- Smaller bespoke kitchens typically start from around £30,000.
- Kitchens with an island generally start from around £40,000.
- Many of our projects fall between £45,000 and £90,000, depending on the scale of the space, level of detailing, materials and specification.
Appliances and worktops are usually quoted separately, allowing complete transparency over where your investment is being made.
We are always happy to discuss budgets at an early stage and can advise how different design decisions influence the overall cost.
When should I contact Papilio?
Ideally, as early as possible.
The best time is during the architectural design stage, before you break ground with any building works. Early involvement allows us to influence layouts, structural openings, lighting, appliance locations and service positions before they become expensive to alter.
While we can often join projects later, involving us early almost always produces a better result and helps avoid unnecessary compromises.
