You will have to be working with a high end custom maker for either option. Find the cabinet maker first. They are not common, and they are not cheap. Grain matched anything is far from cheap. One mistake, and the whole kitchen has to be remade. It's a huge cost increase.

Thank you for the quick response. I actually own a custom woodworking business and we do a lot of cabinetry work. However, we are marine woodworking mostly performing work in the yacht space. Our capability is there to produce and source materials, I am actually considering WilsonArt laminate for easy maintenance. Where we lack is in the residential design space, so that is why I am inquiring about "when horizontal, or why vertical grain, etc". Hope that provides some clarity.

visually, for me anyway, is always verticle. draws the eye up, especially if there will be something in front of it to obstruct the entire view.

if it's a stand alone piece that you view from a distance... a statement piece then possibly horizontal depending on the overall style of the piece. good luck with your project... would love to see the finished product(s).

I can tell you how to choose which: go with the direction (usually horizontal) that allows you the longest continuous expanse of grain pattern. When you choose vertical you only need to match 8 or 9" of cabinet fronts (the height of the cabinets). When you go horizontal you need to match absolute acres. So in the bottom image, look at the lowers under the microwave and corner cabinet. You won’t see anything like that if you go with vertical grain. That said, you know better than I that the grade of wood in the lower image is beyond first.

Gosh, there is nothing more beautiful than the art master woodworkers can create.

I may not have been super clear. Your lower cabinets will only be 34.5” tall but they will be several cabinets/feet wide. Think of the longest piece of veneer you can use. In your space as in most, that would be oriented horizontally. I think ——————— looks better than |||||

eam44, thank you, you make an excellent point with the length of the veneer and making sure that pattern doesn't get cut. Your examples just joggled my mind enough to realize, I am over analyzing a small apartment that I am dressing up for limited use. Where the runs aren't that long, I don't need that much extra time for my laborer to book match the entire length of the kitchen. Vertical it is on this project to keep it quick.

If I helped I am glad to know it! I would love to see the space when your laborer is done with it, so absolutely post some images if you can when you are done.

Some prefer that wood grain run in the same direction the tree grows.

I love upper white and lower wood. And I love grain going vertical.. Not sure if it is practical but it feels nice to my eyes.

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