No purpose to it, that I can see: ) Pick one. The most efficient storage below counter is drawers, not doors with a pullout. The face on the drawer is often slab on a top drawer, two shaker front below, or all slab IF YOUR UPPER WERE SLAB

This is an Airbnb that did the reverse of what you’re describing. They were working with vintage slab cabinets and added the shaker drawers to the bottom. With it all one color, I think it works okay.

IMO tht pic looks like a mess not attractive at all. As for why you want to do it post pics of both cabinets but I think this whole 2 toned kitchen thing is usually not ideal and unless those base ones are all drawers a really bad plan whice would IMO not lend it self to the mix you want. I love MCM slab type doors but I would not mix them with shaker ever

Yes, but with stained, not painted. But I think you can mix it with painted too.

When done well, I think it can be a fun way to mix modern and traditional.

In a big enough kitchen it works just fine

I should have mentioned that the lower cabinets will be all drawers.

Thank you for sending pics!

Slab are so much easier to keep clean. I had a 1927 house and a 1985 house (original cabinets for both) that were slab--so it is not just a modern thing. I'm installing slab in my planned new kitchen.

Why do it?

What is the rationale or concept in this case for doing this?

We found a laminate wood look sample that we love and it only comes in a flat panel. I like a more transitional look and I think a flat panel lends itself to a more modern feel. I'm including some pics here. One is a sample mock-up of our kitchen layout. Just playing around with colours at this point. Second and third pics are the countertop and panel cabinet and last pic would be the painted upper cabinet colour.

I think it looks terrible -- like the kitchen is half-remodeled. Pick one or the other.

Kristin Petro Interiors usually show some great designs, but for me, those kitchens miss the mark. To me, it just looks like things were chosen just to be different, with no benefit to the overall design. The kitchens do look half-remodeled or like you shopped Re-Store and couldn't find enough of one cabinet type to finish the project.

But I am not sure why if you "love" the laminate wood look sample, that the slab door isn't enough.

Sometimes you need to make choices where something is excluded.

Sometimes I hear designers say "I just put together everything that I love, and it works". And for some it seems to work, but I think it's a terrible piece of advice for most people. Because really there is quite a bit of discipline in putting different things together.

I see your color challenge. Flooring is widely available in pale browns using European Oak manufactured in Asia. But cabinets are not easily available in that wood species and tone.

Understandable, chispa. These kitchens weren't designed to your preferences. I don't post photos of my work to convince everyone to love it, but to give the person asking the question an opportunity to visualize it so they can decide for themselves.

I like it. I think in the plan you are doing it would work well. It is not that different IMO than when you opt for slab drawers instead of 5pc

Having it be a different color makes it more intentional.

I do wish your colors were a little more contrasting though.

Good luck!

You can do it as long as you tie the look together. Meaning what do you want for the overall look? In this photo, designer chose the flat panel to be the dominant. Hood, wall tile supports the modern look.

The infinite ways to put a kitchen together are just that. Infinite! It is one part of a whole home.

Design almost never fails you when you edit your ideas and simple almost never fails, either. Over thinking and forcing something, (my opinion only) will almost always lead to trails of tears.

None of the former means boring or run of the mill. I'd re think my concept. Fall in love with something else because there is more than one prince, and even some frogs to be be had, on the way to Mr. Totally Right.

Whenever I design anything? I ask myself.......how will I feel when I walk in here in five years? In seven years? What has to be here, and what does not.

The internet and falling deeply, madly in love with something; not be willing to try something else if it means abandoning the "love" is helped greatly if you........step away for a bit : )