That second pic really helps bmatthia. That IS a spectacular kitchen and I see what you mean about the volume of cabinets. What a glorious amt of storage! I really like the idea of glass/aluminum frame doors. I wonder if you had fewer upper cabinets in general and didn't replace all the upper doors if the price would be workable? I love the curved doors and wouldn't change them at all - other than color of course ;-) Just looking at your pic, it seems if the area was broken up visually, any color you pick is going to work better.

Thanks Ruth. We hired a designer for help with the finishes because i am the same way, the decisions are so hard so it was worth every penny. The grout is Custom Building Products #543 Driftwood. Good luck. Would love to see how your project turns out!

Think of all the things on which you spend two thousand dollars a year. Eating out? Hair cut and color? Shoes? Gasoline? What do you spend on an automobile that you drive for three to five years ? At 38.00 dollars a week ( 30 k ) over your planned length of stay in the house ( 15 years)........classically simple, quality cabinetry in a "high rent" housing area is going to be appropriate and enjoyable every day of your stay. And far less expensive than a total do over well before you're ready to move on. You'll spend more time staring at and using this kitchen than any car you may park in your garage. A client of mine has been in her home for twenty five years. Her timelessly classic white Woodmode kitchen was refreshed with a cabinet paint job, change of knobs- once, and seven years ago! It looks just as great ; all doors and drawers working as smoothly as the day they were installed.

oh and another thing......! it depends on what youre using the shelves for. i say this because if youre going to put random things for example on white shelves, it might look too cluttered if theres too many things on the shelf. if youre going to use it for decor etc, the white shelf might look better in making things stand out if its for white plates and dishes and stainless steel the maple wood color might look better. but that is really up to you. ypu might think white shelves look better. white looks clean, streamlined and good, especially above maple slab with white cabinets. but if you have too much decor or clutter to put up, it might look better to use the same wood to match the flow of objects in that corner its confusing i think i will show you what i mean....this might take a minute to generate and draw up but maybe it will help to see what im thinking....