A non-full overlay (think 1/2" overlay) cabinet door with an inset panel -- so no slab doors, no full overlay door, no raised panel, and I think no mitered door- you want to emphasize the door panel edges, I think, so stick to the verticality of a square panel door.

My .02, I guess.

When in doubt, look thru the FKB and find samples of non-inset kitchens that give you the feel of an inset kitchen.

Just wondering if you have looked into a few cabinet makers. Some do not have a hugh up-charge for inset if that is what you really want.

Thanks. We live way out in the country so even a place like lowes or home depot is over an hour away. We don't have any cabinet makers anywhere near here that I know of. I looked into crown point, but they were too expensive.

I always thought 1/2 inch overlay looked like cheap "builder grade", but maybe not?

If you can't go with inset, I think full overlay in Shaker style (wide rails and stiles if possible) seems to achieve the look and keeps it looking sharp and clean like inset. I agree with your impression of the partial overlay looking cheaper...I think the change in the face of the cabinets is not as nice (where the space between doors is back behind and obviously so), while with full overlay everything on the face of the cabinets is flush, like with inset, just without the dividers between elements.

If you could get a bead profile on the outside edge of the doors, that might add to the impression?

I meant to say full overlay shaker, for the reasons Rhome410 gave.

I have a full overlay with wide shaker stiles. I wasn't going for the inset look, but I think it's similar.

{{!gwi}}

Scuse the mess.

I am thinking rhome's point about the flush face of the full overlay door is a good one.

Like maureenmd, I was thinking about the original cabinets in my house -- they're "lipped" overlay too, which is why i suggested partial overlay. I guess you should figure out what it is you like about inset cabinets -- if it's the linear quality and the flush face, then a shaker rail and stile full overlay might work for you. Sounds like you're not turned on by the view of the cabinet frame, so no need for partial overlay.

rhome--do you any pictures of what you are talking about? I am not good with kitchen terminology--stiles, bead profile, etc. LOL I only have the lowes and home depot cabinetry books here to look through, and they aren't helping me much!

thanks! lots to think about--a few days ago I didn't even recognize that there were such things as inset doors. I have so much to learn!

Stiles are the vertical part of the frame (sides) on a Shaker door, and the rails are the horizontal (top and bottom pieces...and any that go across the middle).

I will have to see if I can find an example of a bead on the edge of a door.

OK...On this web page if you scroll down to the "Beaded face frame for kitchen cabinets" discussion about 1/4 of the way down the page, you'll see a small cabinet. (You can click on the photo to enlarge it) On that cabinet there is a bead on the face frame around the door. This is often done on inset cabinets, so I thought maybe if it was done on the door, it could possibly help the look.

http://www.amanatool.com/lonniebird-cabinet-doors-drawers.html#

On this page you can see a bead more clearly, although it's applied to the inner side of the frame, rather than the outside:
http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/cabinetmaking.pl?read=591399

The bead isn't necessary, just thought it could be a cool detail. Evilbunnie shows a great example of the cleaner look without one.

I think my cabinets (which are full overlay) mimic the look of inset -- the cabinetmaker and I worked really hard to achieve that look!

They're essentially a modified Shaker door with a beaded edge. That beaded edge looks fabulous but I would absolutely recommend against it -- it's considerably more work to clean. Considerably.

Here's a close-up of the bead:

The suggestions you received above are spot-on, in my opinion. evilbunnie's kitchen looks great!

Those look great! I think a full overlay will be fine for me. Thanks so much!

Check out fieldstone cabinets. I just ordered mine, I didn't get inset, but I believe they are having a special with a free or discounted upgrade to inset. The fieldstone were competitively priced too.

Fieldstone might be the same as Starmark?? Starmark is having a beaded inset upgrade for no upcharge through March I believe.

Good luck! I love the beaded inset look and as much as I try, I can't seem to shake it!

Starmark "Calais" door is full overlay but looks inset. I love the door but Starmark interiors are made of melamine paper-covered mdf, not wood. Haas Cabinets "Windsor" door is very similar, much better construction. Conestoga has door # CRP-10191/see mitered raised panel collection (conestogawood.com) which is also much the same. I think Conestoga makes most cabinet companies' doors. Conestoga cabinets can be purchased RTA/prefinished from kitchencabinetsystems.com in PA if you are handy. We are considering this route. Calais is beautiful in person but I think quality is an issue--
Rose

According to the attached Starmark cabinet spec sheet the sides are melamine over plywood on even the base line. Melamine is an excellent interior surface for cabinets, far more desirable than poly coated ply for many. Not an authority on Starmark but it looks like they do faux inset using moulding - same sort of thing can be accomplished with frameless. Not sure which manufacturers are using MDF for thier boxes but particleboard is a common material used in cabinet making and has proven quite durable and reliable.

Here is a link that might be useful: cabico frameless (with particle board boxes)

Forgot to include the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: specs for Starmark

RMkitchen:

Thank you for the love! Your kitchen was one of my inspirations. I appreciate all of your openness (design wise, financially, etc.) on these forums -- it's helped me make a number of decisions along the way.