Most of these pics are not 9’ ceilings. 42” cabinets is 12” of crown/moulding with 9’ ceilings. Not my kitchen, but here is what I expect to see.

It can be lovely when done well. Personally, I prefer 36+12 cabinets with 6” moulding.

I think one thing that is rarely considered in these discussions about using large crown mouldings to cover the gap between the tops of kitchen cabinets is that elaborate mouldings are very frequently lacking from the rest of the ceilings in the house. So you have this kitchen with this elaborate cabinetry that outstrips the formality of every other room in the house. So many kitchens now have only a very tenuous design relationship with the rest of the house.

Do a 48 inch cabinet above or use a flush soffit

OR................

A "48 inch" cabinet, can be the LOOK of a stack without the extra dollars of a whole other cabinet. How? Like this:

The box is 48 inches...you give the false upper a "floor" and the door is designed with glass on top portion:

Nine feet below, where exactly that was done.

One cabinet box, and ONE door!

Interior Design Work · More Info

Interior Design Work · More Info

Also nine feet below.

Flat stock fascia, and topped with same crown as the rest of the house

Kitchen redo with butler · More Info

Do not do 12” of moldings. That is top heavy, and overwhelms a room. Your 108” ceilings will have 54” of room for cabinets plus molding. Do 48” plus 6” of molding. Either stacked cabinets, or single cabinets. Any good cabinet line, or custom cabinet maker, can do that.

IMO crown that thick is heavy looking and do you have crown in the rest of the house? I would do taller uppers maybe stacked cabinets and adjust the space between uppers and counter to make it work I almosrt always allow more space between uppers and counters I find 18" too small