It looks like a big difference between what you asked for and what you got. I would be sick about it too.

Have you talked to the cabinet maker about the difference? What did he say? Do you have anything in writing?

That is not as the cabinet maker states "very similar". Would not accept that. Not sure why the cabinet maker would have done this without getting you to approve a sample prior to ordering.

Graham

So the door on the right is what he came up with. If he ordered them without your ok then that's not your problem, it's his. Have you paid him anything? are they installed? Anything in writing?

Nothing in writing, haven't paid anything and they are still in workshop assembled. He didn't offer any solution or reasoning. I said I wished he would have just ordered one door and shown me. He didn't say anything. I don't like confrontation and he's a super nice guy but it's a lot of money. I am not keeping them; I can't. I'm just baffled. They are 3 months late as well so I don't know if when the staining didn't work he panicked or what.

Why didn't he gave a finisher match them for you? I mean, you even gave him a door for Petes sake.

He is not saying anything, because he knows that he F.....up, and in his profession he understands people - thus, he knows you don't like confrontation. Sometimes, you have to stand up for yourself, because if you don't.........who will????

yeah, you didn't approve them before ordered, you shouldn't take them -- not sure if he could 'bleach' the wood at this stage to lighten it into the tones you want -- grain would be different -- but basically HIS mistake HIS out-of-pocket -- not yours

Thank you all. I feel a little less crazy. I wanted lighter they are darker, I wanted smooth they are heavily textured. I will let you know how I make out.

Please do, and good luck. I'm sure it will all work out in the end, even tho it seems quite a headache right now. As stated, his mistake. If he can't do the job, then maybe you will have to go elsewhere. I know you feel bad because he is such a nice guy, but he will learn his lesson the hard way - unfortunately.

ceb65....look, you, as a customer, are paying good money for a specific item. You gave him the door. He said he could do very similar. Now why this guy went ahead and ordered without having you OK it, is stupid and unprofessional. But why do you think you have to accept it? Because he's a nice guy? because you don't like confrontation? If you ordered a turkey sandwich and got tunafish, which you despise, would you eat the sandwich or send it back and tell them to bring the turkey? Same thing. Tell the man that you're sorry, you will not be paying for these cabinets because you don't like them, it's not what you asked for, and he didn't ok it with you first. HIS mistake. why on earth would you be ok with paying for his screwup? Don't be a doormat.

There will only be a confrontation if he is not the super nice guy you think he is. A super nice guy who is also a professional will graciously acknowledge his error and make it right.

A bully will make you feel like a jerk for not rolling over for him. THAT would require a confrontation.

HI -- I hope this gets sorted out for you but apart from this problem , I think you should have had a full gable on that end to hide the fridge . The design of the kitchen should have included that gable for a finished look.

Hey lefty, that isn't her kitchen. Did you even read the post?

My cabinet maker actually gave me a stained door to review before building anything. We went through a couple of version of stains before we came to just the right one and we agreed to go into production. Giving it to you afterwards is just wrong. I hope it gets resolved easily for you.

@ceb65

Any cabinet maker who proceeds to order cabinetry, or finish cabinetry to any stain, or paint, or finish without an actual "strike sample" and signed/ approved document from the end consumer of said cabinetry, and a deposit on signed approval.........is 100% OUT OF HIS OR HER MIND....... and deserves their financial fate. End of discussion : )

Tip for you: Very similar is usually different than "same" or "close" and is entirely subjective. Personally, I think you were spared a very dated effect up the road. But that is jmho. Cabinetry color is up to you........but kitchens are a once in a blue moon "thing", and expensive for most consumers. I still remember a wash on maple that was tinged with rose and it died seven thousand deaths before it largely disappeared via remodel and DIY paint jobs, from planet earth.

The cabinetry you were coveting, was a custom finish on red oak, (probably select grade) My guess is he ordered unfinished "boxes" and could not get the look in ordinary oak, far too yellow/orange to begin. that's my guess.

So I called him today and told him they were way too different from what I had asked for. He was good about it so far and said the only thing we can do is start over with another door. So I will be going there thursday or friday. Pretty sure he knew that was what I was going to say. Thank you all so much for your advice!

Jan Moyer I think you are absolutely right about the staining not working for him. He said he couldn't get the red out.

ceb65

Exactly. More importantly, I'd consider a more timeless paint finish on maple. You might have been saved : ) I think the question is......will you ever do this kitchen again, and how far up the road is that?

See if he can get any white oak. The grain on white oak is less and there is no pink tone to the wood.

I don't know Jan I really like the driftwood look. We are on a farm and it really appeals to me. Our kitchen is west facing so it would lighten it up in the morning as well, but thank you for the advice. I will think it over for sure.

Beth H. I think I'm just going to pick something that doesn't require him to stain. Thx.

ceb65,,,,this is white oak that I stained in a weathered gray. I did use a liming wax on it for a ceruse effect. That color you want looks like "Sunbleached". Have him try it on white oak.

here is the sunbleached . A combo of the two in a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio might yield your color.

I would be upset too, since he ordered them without your approval. But I agree with Jan. IMO the cabinets he ordered look so much better than the sample picture you were working from.

The only thing I am sure about is my countertop and it is Madura Pearl. I feel totally confused for cabinets...suggestions???

I personally like his better but that's not the point. Get what you want and tell him you want to approve a sample before the big order is done

ssm5525 I will do that for sure thx. I should have worded it better; wondering about new ideas for cabinet color besides my initial pick.

Can you post pics of your space? Is this a remodel or new construction? Is anything existing in the space?

I personally would do white in that space.

I would also want more counter space for the stove which would mean moving fridge to sink wall

Vent?

We have never had a vent. If we do it will be a self venting/circulating.

I would post your layout and plans in the gardwnweb section of Houzz under kitchens.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath

Post here. They will help maximize space and suggest the best functional layout for your budget.