I have been following this thread for several days. I think some posters are coming down too hard on the cabinet maker. It is easy to say well "all he has to do is" when you are not knowledgeable about the process of building or manufacture. Every change order requires a new setup. When he quoted the job he took into consideration his time, his labor,things he would have to supply to finish the job and his overhead. Yes he built the cabinets more to form over function but he's a cabinet maker. He's not a kitchen designer or a chef! When I saw the pictures it was obvious he was going for symmetry and scale. According to the OP he wasn't given a plan or told what the functions of the cabinets should be. He was merely given a picture to show an "idea" of what was wanted. He's probably lost money on this job. The op hasn't said anything about change order charges so he's eating the difference. He was merely being honest by his comment that tradesmen don't like to rebuild. It COSTS them money. This is his livelihood. I credit the op with her honesty. She knows she didn't have her ducks in a row. She is lucky he is willing to work with her to make things somewhat better. Mistydatn - It is very easy to get caught up in all the things that are brought up on this forum. People end up wanting things they would never want or need but get sucked in by all the "dream kitchens". In reality a lot of people who come here buy things they don't need or want. I am always amused when I see questions here and on the appliance forum like which is the best, what do I do with it now that I have it, I didn't think it would be that big, that small and on and on. There are a lot of folks that put in expensive ranges and end up doing all their cooking in their micro and wall oven. Some buy infrared broilers but never use them. The add grills instead. Prep sinks are never used. Work islands become cluttered with mail and homework. People think that buying high end will make them good cooks. A good cook can cook over a campfire. The most expensive kitchen and all the bells and whistles will not make a bad cook into a good one. This doesn't apply to everyone but there are enough to make one shake one's head. Look at Julia Child's kitchen. It was ALL about function. Recently there was a post about pot racks. pretty easy to see who the real cooks are on that thread. LOL My brother was a cook by trade for years. he now cooks for himself in a little manufactured home kitchen. My son is a bit of a gourmand. He regularly cooks for 30 or more friends in a kitchen the size of closet. The only counter space he has is the spot over the dishwasher. He built his own sous vidi. He makes most everything from scratch, cooks most of the meals and his GF does all the baking. You are going to end up loving your new kitchen because it is better than what you had. Don't let kitchen envy get in the way of how you want your life to be. Make your kitchen about the meals you prepare for that family of your. Make family memories in that kitchen. Good parents have t done that in postage stamp kitchens for generations. You sound like a good parent. The kitchen is just things. It's the people in it and the food that comes out of it that makes it real. yes there will be things you wish you had but that is human nature. Enjoy your home, your family and your new kitchen. Perspective.

Yes, the neighbors are just right there. Fortunately, they don't have windows on that side of the house, so once the area is fenced and landscaped, it'll be more private. We're planning on evergreens along the property line in that area. I only have one quote so far from a local bricks and mortar store. I've looked at a few online sources, but I don't trust measuring and installing ourselves. We have HD and Lowes coming out this week. Each window is 17sf, so the price per sf is $31.36 including installation and tax, plus $15 shipping per window. The quote includes the MBR windows upstairs, so the front of the house will have the shutters. We also were quoted by the same company for lined woven Hunter Douglas shades in the front of the house and the quote 10% higher than the shutters! We'd need privacy lining for all 5 and the top down/bottom up option downstairs. Since could install those ourselves, so we're pricing them online. The whole house with shutters in the front and bathroom and HD shades in the dining area and mudroom was quoted at $4900, so the dining area shades will be custom, but probably come from a discounter or big box. We definitely need to add some life to the front porch. I love the idea of a few hanging baskets and tall planters with various plants. The builder will plant two 12ft high birch trees after the construction is complete on this street. I worry about fabric shades, just because my tastes changes pretty quickly. We'd have to go very basic and neutral to guarantee I won't tire of it and they're even more expensive than shutters. Personally, I'd be fine with simple panels (hopefully found at a huge discount) and heavy wooden rods, but DH wants something more permanent that has more presence from the street. I could do each window for about $250 by sewing myself and using discounted fabrics and hardware. I'm usually quick to make a decision, but I'm frozen on this one. Thanks for everyone's advice.

WE...that looks so AMAZING! The accessories are just right so zen and calm..one thing I would try is put white vase on tray and the gray vase on the counter..just for the heck of it...get some big fluffy white towels and roll them up and put them under the Buddha shelf....The Shade Store and Smith & Noble are great with shades so I am sure you will be able to get exactly what you need. the trim around the mirrors makes such a difference and love your new modern lighting...look at all that wonderful new hardware!:)

@ Belaria Seriously? Keep the brick? Nah! I'm old enough to remember when this sort of edifice was new and the latest au courant thing in all the home decorating mags. It was a terrible idea then, and is more so now. Think about it. As a cooking area how does it rate? It does not have any "countertop" on either side of the cooktop. Where do you put hot pans? Across the room? How about storage? Where are the pots, pans, condiments, sauces, hot pads, etc -- all the stuff you use in cooking? Since this bomb-shelter was built kitchen design has moved on to arrange kitchens in task groups in which everything needed for a task such as cooking is located in the area where the cooking is done. It would be impossible to do that with the bunker still in place. There is no storage in this "cooking area" to speak of. It violates at least a half dozen of the NKBA's kitchen planning guidelines. I could go on, but I'm getting a headache. Sorry, but the brick really has to go. As to the rest of the kitchen, I agree with herbflavor. Hire a cleaning service to give everything a good scrub. Update the technologies (add electrical, new faucet, sink, range, refrigerator, etc.). Leave the cabinets alone except to load them with the latest pull-outs, swing-outs, drop-outs, fall-outs and organizers of all kinds, maybe replace the tile floor, save scads of money by not re-doing a kitchen that does not need re-doing, take a nice vacation to Miranmar with the money you saved.