I don't know if this will help you or not.... but I'm pretty sure I'm ordering ultra craft in the next week or 2 (some last minute hyperventilating about expense and wondering if I could make some rather significant compromises and go with RTA cabs from Barker). When I was looking at cabinets, I remembered being very turned off by kitchen craft cabinets. Have you seen them/touched them? They felt lightweight to me, kind of cheap feeling. Plus I HATE the inside of the drawers. I chose frameless for extra space, but the drawers had tapered sides which I felt completely "lost" the gained space of frameless. It was several months ago that I looked, but I'm pretty sure it was that it was a kitchen craft display.

Meh. Both are mediocre. Not mid grade. Mediocre. Lower mid grade with delusions of grandeur at taking on the Europeans.

Would ktaftmaid or starmark be better quality?

We have Ultracraft cabinets from last year-and love them! I don't know about Kitchencraft-is that the same as Innermost sold in HD? I was trying to decide between these those two-would have been happy with Innermost too. It just came to lead time and the fact that my GC didn't want to deal with HD. Barker cabinets are beautiful too but we didn't have the time to assemble and install. I was set on frameless cabinets and the next step up to Brookhaven etc was not in our budget.

anyone else want to chime in on ultra craft?? I've googled reviews and found mostly positive information... The mediocre comment scared me... Right now I'm looking at a quote for ultra craft at approx 30K.... that's a ton of money for "mediocre!!" The assembly of Barker cabs is not an issue for us, but finish is. I can't imagine finishing the cabinets ourselves, but we really wanted a dark cherry finish for most of the kitchen. Barker only has a medium stain. They also do not have a few of the more customized cabinets I was interested in. That being said, when I started to "pretend order" the amount was ridiculously less $$$ -- like in the 15K range. It would probably climb - I had not finished yet, but still... Dh is strongly leaning toward ultra craft and the finish he loves... I am desperate to save money and while I definitely prefer a dark cherry, the medium isn't completely throwing me... The idea that the cabinets might not be good enough though.... YIKES!

So, by "dark cherry" do you mean cherry with a mahogany stain? Cherry wood comes in one color, the clear finish on Barker cabs shows you that color pretty well, and the wood will darken over the years. If you are in love with mahogany stained wood, it almost doesn't matter what type of wood you choose. You could pick alder, birch or maple cabs with the right stain and they will look like "dark cherry" but be more affordable.

Personally, I prefer cherry in its natural state, particularly when it's had a chance to age a bit, like in this antique corner cabinet. My sis has the mahogany stain. It's fine, but you'd have to really know wood to know its cherry.

That's dark enough for me... but we do prefer the more "bordeaux" look with the red undertones. Dh would probably nix the color of your beautiful cabinet. Cherry seems to accept the stain better without blotchy-ness and wouldn't yellow over time. I really don't like it when things yellow/orange.

This is not the right style etc... but it shows what we were hoping to do -- contrast between the creamy white and the bordeaux/wine cherry colors...

http://kitchendesignernj.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/island-closeup.jpg

(sorry, not sure how to put the web picture right in post)

The garbage/recycle drawer is probably the most beaten up (because it gets the most use) but I am resolved to think that I will probably just order a replacement in a few years. And I really do love my new kitchen!

Your kitchen is beautiful. What is the door style and counter top?

Thanks abick2! Shaker Wide - Vener Center panel. Color is Artic White Low Sheen. I believe the countertop is called Snowflake. It's granite.

My demo is in 3 weeks... I ended up choosing beach white uppers from Ultracraft.... and I went with Full Access from Omega for the island/lowers/talls in a stain. I really liked the stain finish of the Omega... but the Beach White was absolutely the perfect color for us, paint wise. So... not only did I mix colors... I mixed door styles... and mixed cabinet lines! Yikes. Actually I'm pretty excited to see how it'll look. :-) ;-) :-)

Hi lawjedi: any update on how your ultracraft cabinets turned out? I'd appreciate your comments, as my wife and I are deciding between Kitchen Craft and Ultracraft as well. Thanks!

-Adrian

Avoid the Ultracraft. We remodeled the kitchen 6 months ago and are already having problems with the MDF construction. If you must choose Ultracraft, upgrade to plywood or choose someone else.

remx61, can you post an update? How are you doing with your cabinets? Did you get white cabinets?

abick2 - beautiful! did you go with ultracraft for the cabinets? if yes, how are they holding up?

No, I didn't and I regret that. Mine are Waypoint.

Oh no. Don't regret it. I could show you some dings on my cabinets that might make you feel better! .

I have some fillers I hate, but that was more the fault of my kitchen designer. Also, some hairline cracks at the corners of the shaker panel, but I heard it happens with all shaker cabinets.