OOOH! Those face-frames ARE mitred bevels! They look almost like old window panes. NYC, I don't know what your budget is, but I'd bet those frames will cost you! And, until Marcolo pointed them out, I didn't even realize they weren't standard face-frames. I wonder if that can be achieved by applying a beveled moulding overlay on top of the frames? The doors seem deeply set, and applying beleveld moulding would achieve that look. "If you find the thread" - yeah, I really WISH GW had a better search function! My guess is that whoever copied them beveled the entire 3/4" rails and stiles, instead of just beveling the front edge - that would definitely leave a visible gap. That or Redroze's frames are full bevels, but the actual doors are set into the cabinet carcass rather than inset between the frames (unlikely). From the pics it looks like the bevel starts 3/8" in from the face. With a good tablesaw this can be achieved, as long as you have the patience to measure very accurately. I actually had to do this to fix / shore up the framing where the old and new roofs meet (HORRIBLE GC/contractor experience - I learned more about bevels, mitres and roof pitches than I ever imagined I would need to know (or that any good builder would have REASON to figure out) - not fun!) Crown Point - this is what I really wanted when we were going with a Craftsman look - their Arts and Crafts Designer Series matches the wainscotting in our Breakfast Room perfectly! But, due to budget we are going Mid-Mod (simpler doors, painted = MUCH cheaper than complex doors in QS oak or walnut). But the new kitchen is in an addition and I'm making it look like it was added in the 1950's / 60's (instead of 2010). Kennebec - If I ever win the Lottery I am building my dream house in Maine and having them build all my cabinets! WillTV introduced me to Knight Kitchens in Vermont, and here's what I like (haven't contacted them yet): Their STANDARD construction is 3/4" furniture grade MAPLE - including the cabinet BACKS! Almost unheard of today! Drawers are all 5/8" dovetailed with Blum soft-close bottom-mounts and bottoms can be upgraded (important since I plan to store my dishes in drawers). And their standard finish is Conversion Varnish. I was planning to order unfinished and use Fine Paints of Europe's Hollandlac, but, depending on the cost, CV is the ONLY other finish I would ever get on cabinets. So, based on what they say on their website, I definitely like Knight because their "Standard" construction is the way cabinets used to be made, and a very expensive upgrade with other manufacturers.

Stick with your soapstone idea; it is what you want. Ask the stone yards you've been working with when they anticipate getting new shipments. Realistically you aren't going to be ready for soapstone for at least four months (assuming you'd start next week). By the time you need it, there will be some new stuff in town. Do you have a subscription to Angie's list? If not, get one. Even if it saves you only one headache, it is worth it. The fabricator I am using gets A+ on there for value and responsiveness, and I couldn't be happier. To chime in on your previous posts about not even being able to get bids, I have been surprised at the places that have never gotten back to me despite them asking me to give them dimensions and my requirements. Apparently they don't want my business, and even if they returned my calls or e-mail now, I wouldn't work with them. I obviously don't know you at all, but my perception from all the planning and research you've done on this is that you would be better off being in total control of the project. Now, buy a really good book on being your own contractor for a kitchen remodel so you'll know all of the exact steps needed when, and DIY (the hiring of subs and coordination of steps). I am making this recommendation as a fellow control freak about some things I care deeply about. We are looking into a self-guided bike trip in Italy, and I am very uptight about the places they might pick for us to stay (we had a very bad experience with a travel agent on a small trip last year). It is not that I need deluxe by any means (in fact, I want small and intimate with charm rather than fancy but sterile), but I also know exactly what I consider optimal in lodging that suits ME, and I am pretty leery about handing over that control. I'm guessing you are the same way about your kitchen.

Thanks to everyone who was kind enough to respond with your suggestions. I just wanted to close the loop and let you know how it turned out. The manufacturer was useless, did not offer a touch-up kit nor any touch-up service, and Restor-A-Finish neutral didn't blend enough without using steel wool, and removed way too much color with steel wool. I called a number of master cabinet workers and various refinishers who all wanted to charge me $$$thousands, and ultimately I ended up with Furniture Medic, whose technician was able to blend the color beautifully. They were priced reasonably as well. My realtor is very happy with how my new kitchen came out, which new granite counters and stainless appliances and touched-up cabinets.

I actually drive a Honda Fit and spent more on our cabinets than I did on the car. I hadn't considered it in those terms, but -- yes -- I will spend more on my cabinets than I did on my car. I've also heard that men are like automobiles. That Porsche is gorgeous and SO exciting, but the maintenance will be VERY high. That Taurus sedan is functional and ordinary and will never stand out in a crowd. A Suburban is highly functional and will last forever if maintained. I married a Suburban. I think my husband is a Jeep or a good, solid truck. He's solid as a rock, highly functional, can stand a little abuse, and will last a lifetime. Incidentally, that's one of our goals for the next two years: Buy him a Jeep as we head into retirement, a very real possibility being that he will never buy another vehicle. I drive an Audi Q5 - I lease it as I can't afford to buy one. You bring up a good point: A lot of people are leasing cars they couldn't afford to buy ... others are making payments that are probably beyond what's wise for their incomes. So how does this "game" work for those people? A person might have "Lexus taste" but a "Ford budget". In general, I think semi-custom is probably a good option -- not cheap but not horrendously expensive. You will have many, many options in a semi-custom line, including unusual sizes to fit your space, if needed, as well as better finishes, etc. I agree with you. I started with the idea that I'd go with Custom. My current cabinets are Custom, and they're pushing 50 years old. They really did last well for a lot of years. However, as I've become better informed, I've realized that Semi-Custom will give me 95% of what I wanted ... for not too much over half the price. My agreement with my husband: I'm allowed anything I want in this house, but I have to be sure it's good value. I probably send out a bunch of mixed signals. Currently driving a Hyundai Santa Fe, pre-owned. Previous car, Subaru Forrester, gave up the ghost alas at 184K miles. Unfortunately with my back, SUVs are the only comfortable vehicles. House: quartz counters, IKEA sleeper sofa. Cabinets, custom, but competitive price with standard big box cabs. Currently live in southwestern CT. Moving to rural MA. Clothing: whatever fits comfortably, I have no concept of style when it comes to garb. At any rate, i do high end very selectively, when I think something may call for it. So I would want to know price ranges. We are the same person.