I'm thinking the same thing. My cabinets are oak framing and all oak drawers and doors.My cabinets look great but for the sides has the fake ply also. I also have an island thats the same way. I'm going to get a cabinet person to add oak wood to the sides and cover the fake ply. This can be done.

Hi Forgot about posting this. We are almost finished with the kitchen refacing project. Adding the REAL wooden styles makes such a huge difference. We do have the ply sides but it is wood and not paper covered wood look.

I am pleased with how it is turning out. Very happy we decided to leave off the crown on the top too.Gives a cleaner look.

He did the work in stages so the kitchen was always usable.

Also adding a inside window in the guest bath. Non opening. Mostly to let light in.

If you already have the wood styles and doors drawers it should be easy to change the sides. We had pressed paper styles with contact paper like stuff over it. YUCK I still think you will end up with a veneer ply.

Chris