I really wanted beaded inset, because I think it gives the cabinets a more formal look, but they were a lot more expensive.

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Sorry these photos are so big.

Erika

I don't have white, but I do have beaded. They weren't an upcharge, and I'm glad I did it...I like the look s much better than without.

Thanks for your responses.

The photos help me so much. I think I'm leaning toward the beaded. But another question- will these latches work alright on the beaded? Will the little ridge affect them?

Crown point adds in a little flat bit where the strike sits so it's on a solid base. Very thoughtful detail.
My inset are not beaded. I thought beaded looked either too early or too late for my desired 1895 time window.

Casey

Plain English does no bead, slab door, variety of inobtrusive hardware. (Not available in the USA. Unless you are helicopter rich.)

They were my style guide when I went to my woodworker.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plain English

Katieob,

I have white inset (but not beaded) cabs by Plain and Fancy. I really wanted beaded cabs but the ID argued against it. Because my kitchen has more than one focal point and several dramatic details, he pushed me to consider a more subdued, more minimalist statement in my choice of classic cabs and hardware. I am now pleased to see how right he was about that! (Funny how there were so many design choices I thought I couldn't live without at one point in my planning process. Yet, when it came time to introduce some of those same choices into the actual design mix, they just did not work as well as for me as they did in photos, in someone else's kitchen, etc.)

BTW, from your posts I'm gathering we share much in common design and taste-wise. For sure, we share an appreciation for icebox/cupboard latches! Here's a tip for you and others who also like this kind of hardware: I got mine from www.meritmetal.com (See Item #9215 under "solid brass cupboard catches"). After an exhaustive search for those latches, Merit was the only manufacturer I could find who made them in satin nickel -- a finish that was critical to me as it's the finish for the rest of my hardware, faucets, etc. These latches are now installed on my (unbeaded) white inset cabs and I can't get over how beautiful they are. They are solid cast brass and very well-crafted with alot of heft. I did not purchase them directly from Merit, however, as the company is not a retailer. Instead, they referred me to a local source, The Brass Center,(another great design source in NYC and online at www.thebrasscenter.com), where I got them at a substantial discount. How do I know? Well, I note that Cliffside is selling their icebox latch online for $48.50 per latch. However, the Brass Center sold me Merit's icebox latches for only $31.50 each and then shipped them immediately! Still not cheap by any means. But, I go on at length about these latches not only were they were so darn hard to find, but also, once I finally located them, I felt I got them at a "bargain" price.

Here is a link that might be useful: Merit Cupboard Latches (Item #9215)

I purchased my Cliffside icebox latches online as well, $31.45 at thehardwarehut.com. Supposedly your designer can open an account with them and purchase items their items at a discount.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardware Hut

We just installed Cabico white beaded inset cabinets. They were very reasonably priced for this type of cabinet.

I have beaded inset in the bathrooms but didn't want it in the kitchen because I didn't like the idea of food, grease and dust building up in the beads. It seemed to me to be just one more thing to worry about keeping clean.

I don't have inset, so that may automatically disqualify me from this conversation, but our (full overlay painted white / painted black) cabinets do have a bead which is lovely, beautiful, and a grunge-catcher. Seriously. About once a month I attack the offenders with a toothpick and it's at those moments I dream of returning to Mongolia and living in a yurt. I'm a vegan (and the Mongols live on animal product), so that lets you know how depressed I am cleaning the bead.

I have two young (4 & 2) year-old children, although truthfully I don't think they're the problem: I think water which drips down gets caught, or if you just cut a tomato and you've some remnants on your hand. Honestly, I've no idea why there are a few cabinets which collect the bead grunge ... but there they are.

Because I wasn't interested in doing inset cabs (my kitchen is not large so I wanted every spare inch) but I was most interested in the look, for me the bead was a no-brainer. Had to have it. I still love it, and I still think my kitchen is not only freaking functional (and how!), it is freaking gorgeous. That being said, if I were to have inset cabinets and knowing what I know now and having seen multiple beautiful painted white / cream inset kitchens without the bead, I'd do without.

Brooke, you made me feel so much better about not splurging for the bead. I have no idea how my DH and DD manage it but they are forever splattering stuff down the front of my base cabinets: coffee drips, spaghetti sauce, orange juice.

Did you really live in Mongolia?? My goodness you've been everywhere!

Erika

I have beaded inset and love them. My house and kitchen is traditional, so it was the right choice. But I have to say, cleaning them is a PITA. I have yet to figure out a good way to clean inside those beads. I am about to resort to cleaning the entire kitchen with Q-tips, I kid you not.

Just in case that is a factor for you...

Very helpful information!

With a 2 year old, a 3 month old, a somewhat sloppy DH and a huge yellow lab that follows me around the kitchen constantly, I think flat is my answer. I love the beaded, but I do not want to break out Q tips!

Thanks so much for your perspectives!

Mongolia? Wow. I'm having trouble with the temps in Boston, can't imagine a winter in a yurt. You're hearty! And I agree, your kitchen is gorgeous!