I don't think it looks 80's or country. I think it looks intentional for holding tall cookbooks or a vase.

I am in the "once your kitchen is done and the books are in you won't notice it" camp. It's just glaring to you now because you didn't expect this and the kitchen is empty. Save the $850 and spend it on something that matters.

My initial thoughts were as others have expressed. Once the books are in and the countertop installed, it won't be noticeable -- your books, etc. will be the focus. I wouldn't change it even the cost were less.

Even though I'd also prefer a different profile, this isn't something that would bother me enough to pay to have it changed. I guess you have to determine if you are the type of person who will be annoyed every time you see it, or do you accept things and move on, knowing that life is too short to spend it focusing on what could be different. If this happened to my mom, I'd tell her to fork over the dough and fix it because I know she'd stare at it for the next twenty years. Me, not so much. Who are you? By the way, you are very lucky your KD is willing to cut you a break on a possible fix---must be a very accommodating person.

I've kept thinking about this ... maybe if you put a shelf very high, and a gorgeous, big platter on it. Something the arch could frame. It might add enough 'deliberate choice' feel to it to make you feel differently.

It's far from a "country" detail. It's transitional and works just fine with the rest of the elements. It actually lends some softness to all of the angularity and I think you might also look at adding other subtle curves to the space as well. Like on your seating overhand. And maybe round stools.

"I guess you have to determine if you are the type of person who will be annoyed every time you see it, or do you accept things and move on, knowing that life is too short to spend it focusing on what could be different. If this happened to my mom, I'd tell her to fork over the dough and fix it because I know she'd stare at it for the next twenty years." - Mermanmike

^this x 100.

If you suspect you are like Mermanmike's mom, bite the bullet and change it. My mom was that way, too. In fact, if it were my mom's kitchen, I'd offer to pay the $850 just so I wouldn't have to listen to her complain about it for the next many years, lol. I guess because of her example, I'm the opposite. I'd look at it and say "yuck, I hate that!" and then I'd decorate, enjoy cooking in my wonderful, new kitchen, and forget all about it.

Neither way is right or wrong, better or worse, but the way we're hard-wired, I guess. So answer the "which one are you?" question and make your decision from that.

Best wishes and, either way, you are going to have a very lovely kitchen.

THAT ^ is 70's "country". That simple arched valance misses country by a mile.

But, if it really really annoys you, fix it. I actually would prefer it to a straight valance.

What about the put it on the other end option? I think the books would look nice on the other side of the kitchen, and having a plain front to the entry would draw attention up and to the rest of the kitchen details. Like maybe your stunning backsplash and counters? Seems a big hassle and waste of resources to change it out.

We just had the same surprise with a bookcase in our custom shaker kitchen. Since we are dealing with bigger contractor problems I have decided to let this go. We think the round detail looks out of place with the rest of cabinetry. I don't have good pictures yet. Still finalizing a few details.

For a couple hundred, I'd change it. For $850, no. Actually, I rather like it, and I think that once the books are in place, you'll adjust to it. PS, the cheap "fixes" others have come up with aren't really going to work. It depends on how much you do or don't want to spend the $850.

(Murch, 100%. Can I get an "Opa"?)

I'm curious slk, you've gotten a ton of opinions, what are your thoughts at the moment?

nosoccermom, I was on the fence as to whether I liked it or not. But I like the examples you've posted so much better with the arch than without. It gives it a little furniture flair, rather than it being just a hollow end of an island with shelves.

I wouldn't have even noticed it if the OP hadn't mentioned it. I think your KD is being extremely generous to offer to split the difference with you. You signed off on it. Was he supposed to second-guess you and ask, are you sure about the curve over the bookcase?

Nobody's gonna notice or care once your kitchen's done and there are books on the shelves. If you've got all those great books there, who's gonna obsess over the curve?

I think $850 is a large chunk of change for something you don't have to do. You can nickel-dime yourself to death with these projects. Of course, it's up to you, but I say keep it and do something else with that $850.

I like it better with the arch than without in those pics.

Test it some? Find something big & flat to "mock" the countertop overhang, move a shelf up, put some books on it, see if you can even see it when standing. Perhaps a slightly longer counter overhang on that side is possible, blocking it more from sight (without blocking the books)? Seems like the "busy" multiple colors of cookbooks would have the woodwork subside into the background anyhow.

Nosoccermom what a great collection of pictures. It really is plain to see the differences. The straight across trim looks like unfinished boxes, while the one with the little valance detail makes all the difference in the world! Wow, I am just amazed at the contrast. Thank you very much for those visuals.

I personally love the arch way better then without!

In all those pictures above nosoccermom posted, the ones with the arch look more planned out to me. Whereas the plain ones look okay, but missing that special touch.

Please do not think it looks 80's country. It doesn't at all. It is very subtle, and to me just adds a little interest. It is perfectly normal for the island to stand apart as slightly different then the perimeter cabs.

I would look at it as my favorite mistake that allowed me to "justify" spending $850 on something else I really love! :-)

After seeing those pics- I change my vote. Keep it. Aren't you glad I cleared that up for you?

I totally agree with nosoccermom. Those pictures she posted are really quite striking between a finished, substantial look vs. just leaving the doors off a random cabinet.

I "liked" nosoccermom's photos but I have to chime in. I love those photos she posted and wouldn't spend the money to change it. I think it adds a little something like the others have said. I would keep it!

Keep the arch! Most people would pay extra for that over a square box without doors. nosoccermom's examples prove the point that it looks more finished and planned.

I agree!! Nosoccermoms pictures!! Swoon! Made me realize. Straight line looks like my old 1960s school library. The arch looks like furniture

Keep the arch!

I have to agree. In fact I was going to do a straight across on my island and now I'm adding an arch too. It just looks more finished.

I think of that curve as very traditional shaker style, and thus very much in line with your cabinets. For example...

I had to go back and look. I just thought it was pretty and didn't notice the curve. Then I had to look at the other cabinets, and couldn't find something that stuck out. Keep in mind that you can't look at your cabinets and that at the same time.

I think you're seeing the trees, but not the forest. Wait a week and you'll find something else that makes you crazy. If not, change it.

But I do think you have beautiful cabinets AND island.

Oh wow after seeing the comparison photos nosoccermom posted I LOVE the arch now. And I was totally indifferent before seeing them side by side. To me it definitely completes the look and makes it look much more custom.

Hmm, that is interesting, I guess I am the only one who, after seeing nosoccermom's pictures, likes the arch in the original kitchen less than before. I might like it on the toe kick area, but not at the top (as in pic 3). Now when I look at the original kitchen photo I can't unsee the "country" mentioned in the first post. But, I think the kitchen will be lovely no matter what is decided.

brdrl, great-looking kitchen! Sorry to hear you are having contractor problems.

I like the arch ... but since it mirrors NOTHING ELSE in your whole kitchen, it seems out of place. You know, one of these things is not like the other.

However, that price is outrageous. I'd have a hard time paying that much for something that's not functional. I'd keep it. I do suspect that once books are placed on the shelves, it won't show.

Same as beanpiele - after seeing the pictures, I change my vote! Keep the arch, it looks much more 'finished'.

I'm with nosocccarmom; having the arch, especially with the bead, makes the end cabinet look like an intentionally designed book case instead of just a cabinet with the doors taken off.

I wonder what the OP thinks. No comment since th initial inquiry.

Haha, glad to have that cleared up (more or less) :))

enduring, I wonder too. I hope they come back soon. I always find it rather disappointing when someone asks a question and then never comes back. :/

Some people have a life.....

No fair.

I'm back! Been out of town and with wrangling my kids in a hotel room, didn't have a chance to hop on the computer. I'm sure many of you have been there! Anyway, I'm really torn even more than before. I appreciate nosoccermom's photos so much and it's starting to make the arch grow on me. I was 95% convinced on Friday to have the cabinet re-made, but since coming home to all of these responses I'm still not sure. I'm going to think on it for a couple more days. I do see the point about the arch looking more intentional and furniture-like than a straight top would, or the straight top even looking like the doors were just left off the cabinet. I also love the idea of putting a platter there so the arch frames it, but with a 4.5 and 1.5 year old that option will have to wait a few years. In fact, even books they will probably still pull off but I'm going to give it a try. I appreciate everyone's feedback so much. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for coming back to let us know slk. For what it's worth, after seeing the pics I prefer the arch also. Good luck with your decision.

I may be in the minority but I feel the same way you did when you posted initially. I would have hated this arch. I love your cabinets and I got a little obsessive over straight lines vs arches when we were doing our kitchen. I would pay to change it. It doesn't fit, looks unsubstantial and out of place. I would think so much so that your KD is offering to pay half....I know you have probably spent a ton already and want to stop the bleeding (at least that's how I felt) but you've come this far. I would personally chalk the $850 up to experience, pay it gladly to change to something I loved from the get go vs something I "may get used to" when you have invested this much time, effort and money thus far. Good Luck!

Adding my opinion to the chorus. I'd keep it.

I like clean and simple but the examples above really steered me to keeping the arch. Then hjs's post sealed it.

Like others, I think it's in keeping with the style of your kitchen and looks a bit more deliberate and finished than a straight cut.

I used this kitchen picture as inspiration for my very modest kitchen facelift last winter. The arch was something I liked enough to ASK for. :-)

I'm glad the arch is 'growing' on you! LOL

I really don't think the arch needs to make an appearance elsewhere in the room, to look right in the space. Again, your island is a different color than the other cabinets....why not a slightly different style?

Nosoccermom- I just saved your first picture to my file! NIce :)

My3dogs, now, that is really, really lovely and very creative!

My3dogs-your island & the other little bit I can see of your kitchen is lovely!

I think your arch looks similar to the Classic Coastal Colonial Renovation - the Anti McMansion image which has a very clean aesthetic. It makes me think of a well placed comma in a long sentence. I agree with your other commentators that several of nosoccermom's pics look like boxes and/or cabinets without doors which makes me wonder if that is how this look got started: "Hey, Honey, Look! I took off the doors down here for our cookbooks."

Except for University Park . In this pic the bookshelf is ample, and is a piece of art in itself.

...and Mermanmike and Funkycamper are a crack-up. They both have good points regarding know-thy-self which is perhaps the most important point to consider.

You have probably pulled the trigger on this decision by now : )

Ah-ha...I just noticed that the University Park shelf has some detail at the bottom...

I like it, and IRL I probably wouldn't have noticed it if someone didn't point it out to me. I once hired a cabinet maker to construct a bookcase to match an antique flatwall cabinet, which we'd converted to a TV cabinet. I gave him detailed drawings, and he even commented about the quality and clarity of my illustrations. The flatwall cab has no trim--flat slab on the top, straight sides and 'feet'. When the cabinet maker delivered the bookcase, I noticed that he'd added rounded trim to the slab top and shelf edges. His explanation was that he thought my design was too plain. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I like the guy, so I let it go, and a few years later had him make two more bookcases to match the first--rounded trim and all. I'd prefer it my way, but I don't even notice it any more, and no one has commented that it doesn't match the TV cab.

I know this is a WAAYY old post but I'm actually considering doing this on the end of my island. Your setup is very similar to mine with the overhang seating on one end etc. If you still have this island, can you share a photo of it finished with books in it??