I am getting Shiloh cabinets.

I am getting Shiloh cabinets.

We're really happy with both quality and appearance of our Shiloh cabinets. The KD was able to work around some oddities of our arrangement, some of which required the installers to do some on-site building, and they came out beautifully.

We went with Crown Point. We were thrilled with the quality of the cabinets and Mark Wirta at Crown Point worked hard to bring our project in at our budget. Just had them installed last week and awaiting countertops.

My cabinets are Schuler Cabinetry from Lowe's. They also go under the name of Medallion Cabinetry at independent dealers. They are semi-custom and the finishes are very nice and the boxes are well made. Even my contractor was impressed with the quality.

We went with Ikea for both cost and cosmetic preferences. We chose the Abstrakt foil-finish (glossy), pure-white fronts. The Ikea base cabinets are cheap MDF, but all of the Ikea-supplied Blum cabinet hardware is excellent in quality. The drawers are also very nicely built and designed (we also ordered soft-close pistons for all drawers, which work great). The fronts are absolutely gorgeous. We also liked the convenience of Ikea's immediately available inventory. We were able to have the freedom to change kitchen designs several times without a huge financial or lead-time hit. To me, that was the greatest "economy" in going with Ikea--flexibility. Modularity and replaceability are also big pluses. All total, about $2,400 for the entire kitchen.

We were quoted over $12,000 for the same layout, not including installation, for KraftMaid's "Euro-Style" line, "Venicia." The Venicia stuff would be delivered already built (as opposed to the Ikea stuff, which of course, you have to build yourself). We're finally done with our DIY Ikea cabinet installation, and they look gorgeous. Sure, the DIY route isn't for everyone, but we're incredibly happy with the results.

Studio460, do you have any pictures of the Ikea cabinets with the Blum cabinet hardware in your kitchen? They sound pretty and since you are so handy, it was the right decision for you since you are so happy.

We're going with Shenandoah cabinets. Ordering today I think!

Lynn2006:

Yes, let me take some better pictures tomorrow in the daylight. Their beauty is a bit compromised, since we still have unfinished areas around the kitchen. Check back here tomorrow afternoon!

We ordered Thomasville glazed cherry cabinets through Home Depot
and they arrived with absolutely no flaws - a perfect fit and finish.

We also got plywood bases only and 15" deep uppers and have been more
than pleased with the build quality and attention to detail. They look like custom cabinets.

Ikea Abstrakt Kitchen: Sorry I took so long in posting these promised images --I'm under the gun to finish a bathroom before I have to go back to work and have been completely occupied with that. Anyway, the thing I love about the Ikea Abstrakt, "finish white" cabinet fronts, is that they are ABSOLUTELY PURE WHITE. Plus, they're very glossy and cool-looking! Also, I loved that the Rationell drawer components were all neutral grays. As you can see, we have a lot of neutral-grays and metals in the palette, so pure white cabinet fronts really helped to make our monochromatic motif pop. Don't worry, we're also adding a bright green backsplash (Silestone's "fun"), to the wet side (opposite side, not shown) of the kitchen, so the space won't be completely void of color.

Ikea Abstrakt foil-finish (gloss white) kitchen cabinets photos (work-in-progress):

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Ikea Abstrakt 36" base cabinets; 24" oven cabinet in "finish white."

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Ikea Rationell drawer with Ikea Strecket aluminum handle ($3.99/pair).

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More Ikea Strecket aluminum handles (in 36" sink base cabinet).

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Ikea Rationell drawer detail: dark-gray steel sides, light-gray MDF bottoms, soft-close pistons (not shown); Ikea translucent plastic drawer liner.

I have Ikea white abstrakt, too, but they're not installed yet. I have put together a bunch of them. They're very sturdy, and I have read that there's support added when you attach them in a line on the wall/floor. They'll be as strong as you need for kitchen cabs. I have no doubt that plywood boxes would be stronger, but to what end? Also, I got the abstrakt, but if a future buyer wants more traditional, the doors can easily be replaced with another style. Also, there is a 25 year warranty on Ikea cabs.
Lisa