Eugene T. Raffel started his career in cabinet making with an apprenticeship in 1960. Over the course of two decades, he honed his skills with local builders and cabinet makers, eventually deciding to start a business of his own. In 1977, Eugene founded E.T. Raffel Cabinets, a small one-man cabinet shop in a garage in Southampton. Over the years, his business grew and he started partnering with others to broaden his product offerings. He moved to larger and larger shops, eventually putting together a team of talented craftsmen to help meet the demands of his expanding workload. In 1989 Richard Raffel joined his father’s business. He began his training as a cabinet installer, and quickly progressed from installer to cabinet maker, then to shop manager and lead designer. Along the way, Richard picked up a broad range of perspectives and experiences, all of which he uses today to inform his business and design decisions.

Over 40 years after Eugene started the business, the small cabinet shop is now a kitchen design showroom featuring examples of Richard’s latest work, materials, and process.

In 1992, Richard became part owner of his father’s business, and together they formed E.T. Cabinet Corp. Since then, he has been incorporating his talents for precise technical work and enthusiasm for design into the business model. Richard took over full ownership and management in 2004. Over 40 years after Eugene started the business, the small cabinet shop is now a kitchen design showroom featuring examples of Richard’s latest work, materials, and process. Richard frequently works alongside the area’s top architects and interior designers to help execute their visions. He has also been a Certified Kitchen Designer for over 20 years, specializing in kitchen space planning and blending the latest styles into an efficiently functioning workspace. Appropriately, E.T. Cabinet Corp has been rebranded to Richard Raffel Custom Kitchens. In 2016, Richard’s daughter Maddison began working for her father as a design assistant, continuing the family legacy and reinforcing the design team. Although the business’s primary focus is custom designed kitchens, they offer custom cabinetry for anywhere in the home, built to Eugene’s original specifications and quality standards. To supplement their signature line of cabinetry, they’ve partnered with other like-minded manufacturers to allow them to offer a wide range of price points, and a broad range of material offerings and manufacturing techniques. Their cabinetry can be shop-built, site-built, or factory-produced depending on project type and budget.

1977 Eugene T. Raffel founded “E.T. Raffel Cabinets”.

1989 Richard joined his father’s business, starting off his initial training as a cabinet installer.

circa 1987

1992 Richard aquires part ownership of the family business.

1997 Richard becomes a Certified Kitchen Designer with the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

circa 1987

2016 Richard’s daughter, Maddison, joins the family business.

2019 E.T. Cabinet Corp. is rebranded as “Richard Raffel Custom Kitchens” to better highlight the company’s design services.

Materials Sourced for Lasting Quality and Uniqueness

With over 40 years industry experience producing premier custom kitchens, our team has a vast working knowledge of the diverse assortment of materials available. We’ve partnered with a wide variety of trusted suppliers and manufacturers providing a broad range of carefully selected materials. This enables us to effectively work in many design styles and price points. In addition, it gives us the ability to meet the demands of architects and designers looking for unique material options.

With over 40 years industry experience our team has vast working knowledge of the diverse assortment of materials incorporated into today’s premier custom kitchens.

Wood is at the heart of our business. When it comes to selecting wood for our cabinetry, we are not limited by a manufacturer’s standard set of wood and finish samples. Although we have showroom samples to aid the design process, we are not bound by them in any way. We’re open to use any appropriate material and finish. When sourcing wood for our cabinetry projects, we base our selections solely on aesthetics, durability, and market availability. We consider far more than just species and color. In regards to aesthetics, we consider varying cuts of wood to achieve specific grain patterns. We have sources for antique reclaimed wood, fumed wood, and engineered wood; all of which can be employed to produce unique effects. When it comes to wood finishes, we take pride in our wide variety of finish materials, ranging from low-build natural effect penetrating oils to high-build hand-rubbed high-gloss polyurethanes. It’s not uncommon for us to employ bleaches, dyes, paints, stains, and glazes.

Although we focus on wood, this is by no means the only material our showroom offers. To support our cabinetry designs, we have partnered with skilled fabricators capable of working with metal, stone, man-made quartz, engineered concrete, glass, and other elegant materials. These materials are often integrated into our woodwork as cabinetry components, countertops, range hoods, and other accents.

A Structured Workflow Produces Lasting Quality

Lasting Quality is a result of more than just a well-built cabinet on its own. It requires a skilled team following a proven process. It requires careful planning and effective communication with all parties involved.

For cabinetry to stand the test of time, there are a number of key steps that must be properly addressed both before and after manufacturing. Proper execution of these steps is what differentiates Richard Raffel Custom Kitchens from other cabinet providers:

Thoughtful Design

Appropriate styling that stands the test of time
Seamless unification with the surrounding architecture
Multi-zone space planning to ensure a functional work and living space

Exceptional Cabinet Engineering

Specification of the finest raw materials
Employment of top quality and innovative functional hardware
Utilization of versatile interior accessories capable of adapting with one’s lifestyle
Proper integration with high end appliances