I am sure you can do what you propose with the budget you have laid out. check out the under $20k kitchen thread. My own kitchen (194 sq ft of quartersawn white oak floor, exotic granite, custom cabinets, two sinks,) came in at less than $20k. Check out custom cabinet builders. They can make them as tall as you want and still cost less than the krafmaid. Also....expect to pay more for painted than stained.

Here is a link that might be useful: Under $20K kitchens

Given the rest of your rather medium priced appliance budget, I'll have to ask, why SubZero? If you'll read the Appliance Forum, they've had some issues and aren't the most reliable of brands. If you're wanting a built in look, you can achieve that in a galley style kitchen by using a regular refrigerator and add side panels and then use a 30" deep counterspace on that side. It adds the bonus of a LOT more usable counterspace, and the increase in square footage of countertop is far cheaper than paying for a SubZero.

Painted maple is more expensive than cherry. But if this is one oare that is a must, then looking at anything else isn't going to matter. Small cabinets and glass cabinets are obscenely expensive when compared to their regular sized doored varieties. Interior doodads can double the price of a kitchen. Check out Revashelf and Haifele for after market doodads that you can put in yourself if you're handy.

Really and truly, it's a myth that plywood construction is any better than furniture board. It's lighter, and easier for my installers to deal with, that's all. In any moisture situation where furniture board would become damaged, plywood would also become damaged and delaminate. And, using MDF for the panel (or even stiles and rails) will decrease the chance that it will have cracks and warping down the road from changes in humdity like solid wood will.

I really do think you can get a beautiful kitchen with the look that you want, but you need to do some more research about the different choices available. Even if you do decide on what you want straight off the bat, it's always good to have those choices affirmed.

Hi Ann,

In your budget, sometimes I would spend double what you estimated, and sometimes half, so all told I would end up about at the same amount spent or less since I am going to semi-enclose a self standing free standing regular fridge and put it into a wide enough enclosure that will let me put a panel door on it too. I have a bit more than half your space and counter area, and will begin reno next month.

I may bleach wood doors with Part A-B type wood bleach (dangerous stuff) so raw wood grain is still highly visible, or I may get painted wood that shows the grain a lot. A light color close to white.

I agree with the post above by live_wire_oak. Paragraphs 1,2,3, and 4 in particular.

The love of plywood is the root of many a mistake. Let other wood products be considered valid options too. Veneer on any other substrate is A-OK today. Solid wood can be good too. Plywood is just one option, and it has its challenges too.

HTH
-david

Thanks for the responses. Live wire, I am thrilled you took a look at my rambling post and responded--it is great to get feedback from a pro! And ccombs you give me hope that I'm not going to be laughed out of every Miami kitchen showroom.

The reason for a Subzero is that the kitchen is also a major traffic pattern through the house so anything I can do to visually and physically widen the aisle is a good thing. And I only have 27" to work with on that side of the kitchen anyway unless I narrow the existing doorway into the DR. I also am restricted to a SxS refrigerator to accomodate tall husband's preferences, so with those parameters (built in depth/sxs) I'm already up to $6K territory anyway. Which has helped me convince myself that I might as well get my dream refrigerator for the extra money a SZ will cost.

So much for my painted maple savings! Will ask the dealer tomorrow to give me ideas on cheaper alternatives. Frankly if it's painted white I don't really care what the wood is underneath-unless I should.

Will also think carefully about the plywood issue, didn't realize it isn't automatically better to have wood innards.

Ann

running,

I would also recommend you locate a fabricator other than Expo for the granite. The $50-60 figure is usually a starting point then they add on for everything.

There are guys in South Fla. doing 3cm granites for $35.

Be sure to shop it first.

Blessings

I totally understand the need for a less-deep refrigerator, but there are WAY less expensive options than Subzero!!! Take a look at the counterdepth fridges on ajmadison.com. I don't know if it's good to buy from them or not, but they're great for research - they have a terrific search engine that lets you narrow down your selection based on a ton of criteria.

I am definitely going to keep researching the refrigerator. It certainly makes no sense to insist on spending more if I can get the same or better function and look for less! Thanks for the suggestions, all.

Meanwhile here are a few Before pictures of my vintage 1950 kitchen.

View from the DR of the sink/window wall. These are the only built in cabinets in the kitchen. I hope to reuse them in our laundry room. You can't see it well but the tile backsplash and countertops are also original:

Here is the opposite side. I would like to add cabinets around the (new) stove and refrigerator and get some countertops on that side too:

Short hallway leading to garage. This is the wall on which I would like to put a pantry.

Opposite hallway wall-we call this our vestigial window; originally this wall was the back of the house. The kitchen doorway leading to the hallway was the back door out to the yard.

Thanks again for the ideas. I think I'm TKO and haven't even DONE anything yet but shop and dream!

Ann

If you aren't planning to put wood panels on your fridge, you might want to look at either the Electrolux Icon all-refrigerator and all-freezer, or Frigidaire all-refrigerator and all-freezer. (They have the same "guts," but the Electroluxes look a little snazzier.) Both can be built-in, are counter-depth and would give you 64"(36 cubic feet) of storage. The Frigidaires and trim kit would run you around $2500, and I think the Electroluxes are in the $4000 range with trim kit. The Frigidaires are now Energy Star rated and come with an ice maker standard. That may be true of the Es, too, but I'm not sure.

If you want basic white subway tile, you can buy American Olean 3x6s at Lowe's for $.22 apiece.

You should be able to cut 25% off your granite quotes if you shop around.

Definitely, definitely talk to some custom cabinet builders. We thought they would be much pricier than Lowe's and HD, but it ended up that we are saving SUBSTANTIALLY by having them built. (We are doing all wood, white maple, beaded inset cabinets.) It seems to depend on what part of the country you're in whether you can save by going custom, but if you search through the archives, you'll find other threads discussing the savings some have found by using a cabinet builder. I would venture to guess that if you're deviating as much as you are from standard cabinetry (especially with the height of the bases), you could almost certainly save with custom.

One other tip - you may consider buying your appliances online rather than from a local store. We saved a couple thousand dollars over what we would have paid in town. We've purchased several things from eBay as well, and so far, we've had great luck. On the flip side, the local shop had a pro range we were considering that was a close-out and far less than what we could find online. Look everywhere for deals. :o)

Before planning on using your current cabinets elsewhere...check them out. If they've been built-in-place as many (most?) cabinets were in those days you may not be able to reuse them as they will probably have to be taken apart to come down. If you're very careful, the wood, etc. is still in good shape, and you (or your contractor) is good at rebuilding, you may be able to reuse them...but it may not be cheap...if that's what you're looking for. If you just want them b/c they're original to the house and don't care what it costs to preserve them, then I would definitely try!

You should get a Formica counter for them in the LR and change the knobs to get a truly vintage look (see link below)...at least that's what my parents' kitchen has (they built in 1959/1960 and have their original cabinets & counters). I think they would look nice in the LR and I think it would be nice to be able to preserve as much as possible.

Good luck with your remodel!

[The link below came from "ranchhandy" at http://ranchhandy.blogspot.com/]

Here is a link that might be useful:

In addition to what everyone else said, I would skibble on up to Ikea sunrise and take a really good look a their cabinets. You could save a bundle doing Ikea, and if you don't like any of their white painted door styles (get a drawer front or a door from the As Is room to take home since they look VERY different out of the store lighting) you can always do special order doors and still save a bundle.

The quality is light years beyond anything you'll see in the blue store or the orange store.

Ann, I'm in South Florida as well, just a bit further up the coast in Fort Pierce. I've been all over the place getting quotes for cabinets, granite/laminate countertops, etc. The best quote I've received for cabinets is at this place:

DESIGN KITCHENS
412 Farmers Market Rd.
Ft. Pierce, FL 34982
772-464-0500 o

My aunt actually recommended them to me. One of my uncles used to work there and said they did quality work, which is a high recommendation if you knew this uncle!

The guy I talked to there (Larry?) actually went to the trouble to explain to me all about different box materials AND listened to what I want in my kitchen. He made a couple of really good suggestions, but wasn't offended when I turned one of them down. His quote matched what we discussed exactly.

As for countertops, in my area alone I count 8 places of the top of my head who are advertising granite starting at $9.95/sq ft. With installation, all of them are actually running under $40/sq ft. In the Miami/Dade area, you may actually be able to find lower prices because of competition.

I've been working on my kitchen for nearly a year because I'm fighting with the insurance company over water damage. In that time, I've also been haunting Craig's List, so I know you could probably find all of the appliances you're looking for on there for a fraction of your budget.

For example: I wanted a bottom mount fridge (to replace my white SxS) in bisque because I don't like stainless. I figured I'd have to bite the bullet and pay the $2500 price at an appliance store, but I kept hoping. Three days ago my fridge popped up on CL and I went and bought it for $250! That's a 2250 savings on my budget for a little diligence in checking CL (and about a 30 mile round trip). My new fridge is gorgeous!!!

LOL, if you're interested in a 4 year old SxS in white, I'm listing it this afternoon on CL. :)

Anyway, the whole point of my ramble is this: the Expo may not be the best source for good prices on quality products for your kitchen remodel. It's simple because all of the vendors are under one roof at one time, but you can do your kitchen less expensively if you have the time and inclination to do the leg work. The Expo is great for seeing what is available out there, for sure.

And, a big thank you to whomever posted about the Ikea in Sunrise! I was going to Orlando to check out the Ikea there, but Sunrise may actually be closer for me! :)

Hi, Lissa. I'm in Jensen Beach and from here it's about 2 hrs to Sunrise and 2-3/4 to Orlando, but you may be just about the same for either one.

BTW, while I haven't used them, someone did recommend Design Kitchens to me a while ago for a custom corner cabinet that I wanted. I moved, so I didn't use them, but they do seem to have a good reputation.

Another voice to say investigate the alternatives to SubZero. I forget if it's the GE or the Kitchen Aid that was rated superior.
Also, I'm a big fan of Kraftmaid cabinets, but IKEA may save you a bundle.
If you know what faucet & sink you want, it may be possible to save a bundle on EBAY, I saved $300. on my $600 faucet and $200 on my sink.

writersblock, Howdy neighbor!! It does sound like I could go either direction. I'll have to check out traffic to decide. :) I abhor driving in Orlando!!!

I bought my fridge in Jensen (to keep this On Topic)!

Another vote for Ikea. Their guts are nearly identical to those in my Italian kitchen in Sarasota. I had to go with the builder cabs here, but would have been very happy to do Ikea instead.

As for a bullet-proof counter top, I think engineered quartz is the way to go, personally. Zero maintenance.

Congratulations on this next phase of house happenings!

Just moved into a home with all KitchenAid appliances (all stainless/all Superba). So far, we have had to replace the dishwasher. Within an hour of having the new dishwasher installed, I turned on the self-cleaning option of the built-in double ovens, and within 1.5 hours, this appliance failed also. The icemaker of the fridge has leaked onto the floor twice...I would not purchase a KitchenAid brand appliance. Hope this helps.

This is the best part of the whole remodelling process that you are going through right now ! Enjoy it. You have a great space to work with.

Your electrical budget looks quite low to me - but things may be cheaper in your area. We allocated what we thought would be a goodly sum when we started our project. So far we have spent it four times over and we're not finished yet - but we haven't really tried to control ourselves either.

There are a lot of great refrigerators out there. I saw a Lebherr unit that looked really nice - same general feeling as the SubZero and also had the glass door option.
I understand that they are very high quality units, but have no experiecne with them whatsoever.

Some folks have recommended Ikea cabinets. FWIW we just bought them for our kitchen. Have not installed them yet but we really liked the look in the store. They have quite a few door styles now. The biggest plus for us was the fact that we could buy things and then return them when we changed our minds...whch only happened about 467 thousand times... :(

Very reasonable prices. Mid-range quality. Depends on your priorities - we spent more money on our detailing thaan we did on the cabinetry.

Anyway.... the real reason I started this post. You mentioned that you were interested in lots of "guts" for your cabinets. The link below will allow you to save a substantial amount on all of those things.

http://www.outwater.com

Good Luck !