To stay neutral, but have more character, I'd stay away from beiges and other blahs, and go deeper in color, especially for counters...Either medium tones (chocolate brown, deep olive, etc.) or into slate grays or classic black. Staying with earthy tones (browns, golds, grays, burgundies, greens) should still allow someone to jazz it up for themselves, or leave it and still have something rich. The other end of the spectrum, which can be very elegant, I think, is light counter on light cabinets, but that doesn't appeal to everyone. Is the kitchen open to the house (which I'm assuming) or more closed?

For cabinets, I think a medium toned wood (except for regular oak) is 'safest,' with the broadest appeal, and might have the least chance of becoming dated. Something that is an environmentally conscious choice could also be a better investment for resale consideration. Painted cabinets are also pretty classic, but it depends more on the style of the house. If you went that route, it'd be nice to see something other than white...dove gray, light sage...Light, but with some character of its own.

This is difficult, because you are giving us a pretty large, blank slate. But these are my opinions, and I hope it helps.

Thanks, rhome410 - I'm going to ask DH to help me post pics of the floor plan. You're absolutely right about it being difficult without particulars.

I think it all begins with cabinet choice to set the tone. Stained wood is nice, but I worry it might fight with whatever the buyer currently has for furnishings, especially since the layout is somewhat open. The dove gray or some other light color is what I initially had in mind.

Another big question (since this really has to stay within a budget, unlike our own kitchens.....)was whether to blow a huge amount of allotted funds on a stone countertop, or to go with a neutral, coordinating laminate that the new owner can live with for a while and then swap out someday for the stone or solid surface they truly love.

I agree your cabinet (and probably flooring) choice will set the tone. I personally like lighter cabinets over the stained wood, although I am being told painted cabinets are also more expensive. What about going with a dove gray or other light color on the perimeters and going with a stained island.

I think if the budget can swing a stone countertop I would do that. I think buyers want it "easy" and the thought of swapping out a countertop in a new home may not be appealing. I'd rather see if a few other areas could be cut so the kitchen can have a "wow" factor.

I would stay with a medium stained raised panel cabinet and maybe a painted island. The reason I suggest stained vs. painted is you can always paint a stained cabinet vs. going to other way and I think a lot of people still like to have stained. Those that want painted can probably see the oppurtunity to paint it themselves later and those that want stained can probably live with the island being painted. A medium stain should work with most furnishings. I would hate to have cabinets that matched my furnishings as it would be too matchy matchy for me.

I would stay away from Oak as I think that is one wood people have a either love or hate kind of feeling for.

Countertop I would do granite, but one that has a fairly equal amount of light and dark specs and not a lot of movement.

Appliances - stainless as that seems to be what most people want. We bought a spec house similar to what you say your brother is building and got in before appliances were ordered and were able to change it to black from stainless, but I think most want stainless.

For me, I'd welcome the laminate and the chance to choose my own counter later, but I don't think that's the norm. The crowd you're reaching for want to move in and have it look fantastic and the stone will add some bling they'll probably like and will be excited to show off. With dove gray cabinets I would go with lighter counters than I was talking about before...a similar shade or a shade lighter...Like a Bianco Romano or Kashmir White...Or something similar in one of the quartzes. But I'm heading toward my personal preferences. I love dove gray and creamy white together, and think it would make a very elegant statement, yet still be practical and work for a more casual, young-family lifestyle, too.

rhome - you articulated exactly why I came to the forum to ask about this - "I'm heading toward my personal preferences." I'm grateful for the above replies as they are forcing me to see others' visions.

BIL toured many new houses prepping for his build. He sought out my advice because one style kitchen was done so often he couldn't recall one place from the other. Nearly every new home had cherry cabs, dark granite, stainless(all one brand)appliances and stainless sinks. He questioned if their being so common meant they were trending out, or if the trend was just hitting. That's when I told him that nice as those are, I'd seen lots of other classic combinations that could still be neutral but might distinguish his home from others.

This is harder than I thought it would be - now I know why so many of the KD's are rerunning the same kitchen style!