Thanks so much for all of your replies. On the advice of kompy (thank you very much!), we did find a local dealer and we are working with them. Comparing apples to apples to all the cabs and design that Lowe's priced, they are about 8% more, BUT they also pointed out several flaws in the Lowe's design, such as how the molding they had stacked on top of the pantry would actually protude ever so slightly out from the wall, how one of the doors would not open all the way without binding and how the fridge & cabinets around it wouldn't allow the fridge doors to fully open! I definitely would not have been happy with that and I wouldn't have realized it until too late when everything was installed! They have also suggested some small design changes that I think really makes the whole layout better. And they are able to get items from Kraftmaid like wainscot panels for the island instead of sticking doors on it - which I think looks really nice! We haven't ordered yet, but I am very happy so far with the local dealer. Even though they are a bit more expensive, I think the expertise in kitchen layouts and the time they have spent with us going over everything is definitely worth it. billp1 - wow, that's a leap of faith ordering online from Kentucky and you're in NY! So glad everything went smoothly for you. bbell - I agree about the dealer making design suggestions and what to do or not to do. Just some small tweaks to the Lowe's design that were suggested by the dealer I think really has made the layout better (and actually, when we went into Lowe's we knew the basic design of what we wanted and they plugged in the measurements and cabinets, etc that fit in our measurements). And I do like that if there are any issues, then the dealer is the middle man to deal with Kraftmaid. Luckily I think we have found a local dealer who really cares about his clients and wants them to be happy with their new kitchen. He has been out to our house twice within the past week to take measurements, to demonstrate to us some of the issues w/ the Lowe's design and show us drawings with some design ideas. RICSFAN - we are planning to get cherry peppercorn too in the Montclair door style. What door style did you get? Are your cabinets installed yet? I would love to see pictures.

remodelfa- I could do that (standard depth) pantry, but it would make the clearance to my island only about 37 inches or so...kinda tight. But doable..my main holdup is I really didn't want a deep pantry- wanted that very convienent 12 inch deep one..hmmm.... buehl- Can't recess into that wall, family room (not large) behind it. I am so torn. This is NOT my dream house. I figure we'll be here anywhere from 5-15 years (sorry can't narrow that down more!) :) So I have 2 choices: ECONOMY VERSION: keep OTR micro and recirculating vent (right now my Jennair electric cooktop has downdraft that I never use). Would be an efficient use of space- plus its the GE Advantium which I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be using a LOT- so I need it in convenient spot for me. To keep costs down I can also resist the urge to go induction cooktop w/a wall oven, and just get an electric slide in. LUXURY VERSION: if I move the micro elsewhere (say to under the island), then I'll need to purchase a hood, pay to vent outside (not sure how much that will be- if its possible to hook up to the vent that already goes outside from the downdraft part), buy induction, buy a wall oven etc... I'm already going to do hardwoods (~3500$ for kitchen and family room), granite (~3500 depending on which granite), I've already upgraded to stainless DW and fridge (spent ~$2400)...and good chances the cabinet guy plus install will end up being around 14...we're also extending the hardwood into the bathroom, so need to replace the toilet and vanity while we're doing that (~1K).. Eeeek! PS here are some pics to give an idea of what I have now: PS There's a bullentin board on the pennisula (held down by toaster oven) to try to mimic where my island will go...bulletin board is 36 in across...also I put a 48 diameter round glass top (from my patio) on top of my kitchen table to visualize the 'rounded end' of my imaginary island...

After reading this thread I had to sign up so I could comment. The question being discussed has been much on my mind lately. A few of weeks ago a cabinet door almost fell on my wife as she was opening it. Lucky for her she'd already had her coffe and was able to jump out of the way. Those things are heavy. The door that came away had simply slipped out of a tongue and groove connection with another piece which was attached by hinges to the cabinet. A small, seemingly inconsequential, thin piece of wood broke away from one end. When I picked up the door, the remaining three thinner pieces that go around a large inner core like a frame, fell right off. (Sorry. I don't know the proper names for these things. I'm just looking around for a way to fix my cabinet). In all, there were two little nails poking out, and they clearly hadn't been all that had been holding the cabinets together. The only break in the wood was that one little piece at the edge. Our first thoughs turned to the possibility that if it could happen to one, then why not others, and maybe this was the start of an epidemic of unreliable, unsafe cabinets. I put that aside and called a friend who told me that the pieces were probably held together by a strong glue and something, something had happened to the glue. All we had to do was reglue it. The general idea made sense but the something, something explanation didn't. About a week later my wife came up with the answer--maybe, and that's why I'm posting. That cabinet lived above the tea kettle we use to boil water for tea. We've been doing that for ten years. The kettle, or really the second one we've used, spews out far more steam than I've seen coming from our rice cooker or from most of the coffee making devices mentioned in earlier posts. The cabinets are oak and unlike most of the other people whose cabinets have been effected by steam, the finish Is no different from the finish on our other cabinets. Looks good. So either what we've experienced is an as yet unmentioned possible long term consequence of having a steaming device beneath a cabinet or not. if my wife's explanation does not ring true, then an alternative explanation would be appreciated--preferably one that does not entail my cabinets all falling apart. In any event, please tell me, will regluing the pieces fix the door? If so, would someone point me to a clear set of instructions. Thanks.

If you can get the cabinet configuration you want with stock cabinets rather than using custom, then you only need to determine whether the inherent differences between the two lines matter to you. Typically more expensive lines have better, more durable finishes which is particularly important for slab painted doors. Also look at the construction details. Do the less expensive cabinets have full extension quality drawer glides, soft close drawers and doors, thick shelves, strongly constructed drawer boxes etc? Are these things worth paying double, for you? How long do you hope to live in your house with your new kitchen? (ie. will you be moving before the less expensive line begins to show signs of wear?). It might help if you can take home sample doors and compare them. Also, cheap plywood is not as good as quality MDF so don't be lured by the promise of "all wood". One last thing, If you're doing slab doors with full overlay, consider looking at frameless construction. You'll get lots more space in drawers and roll out trays with frameless.