Here's an updated version with labels: Some activities that we need to plan for: (1) I work from home at a computer 40+ hours/week. (2) We have a 7-month-old son and plan on having more children. I will need to be able to supervise children while I work in the office and kitchen. They will need space to play, space to store their toys, space to do projects, and space to do homework. (3) We plan on purchasing an upright piano once we're settled in the new house. I play and the children will take piano lessons. The piano's home should be a little removed for some acoustic privacy. (Practicing in a main family room where everyone can hear you can be a little nerve-wracking.) I'm not sure exactly how we'll use each room, but my current plan is to have the "Office" be my main workspace, with a secondary workspace set up in the "Sun Room" so I can supervise children playing in the yard while I work. I'm open to more advice and brainstorming, especially from people who have experience with older children since I'm still a parenting newbie. :)

The lines between custom and semi-custom have become increasingly blurred. Used to be that custom meant you could get any wood specie you want, in any door style you want, in any color or finish choice you want. Many smaller, local builders call themselves custom, but in many cases you can get "more custom" work from brands that call themselves semi-custom. Showplace will build custom configured cabinets (you draw it, they build it), or you can modify a standard cabinet to the 1/16" -- they also offer custom painted finishes, but they call themselves semi-custom because you must live with the styles and species they offer. The best advise is to research your options and, as others have said, make a good product-service-installation value decision based on what is most important to you. It is always most helpful also to talk with friends, family, co-workers, etc. and see if they, or someone they know, have done a project and could make a recommendation. Here is a link to a planning guide that is helpful. Admittedly, the content eventually moves toward Showplace offerings, but much of the early content is viable regardless of the brand you choose. Here is a link that might be useful: Cabinet Planning Workbook

What the heck is that last post? Would have never happened or stayed in the old forum. In any event, I had Blum soft close in last kitchen--custom build 8 years ago they worked like a dream never had a single issue I'm now wrapping up a kitchen renovation in a different house same custom cabinet maker early in the planning process he asked about drawer slides. I wanted full extension and soft close everywhere. He said we could go w Blum again or a less expensive brand that wasn't available 8 years ago and functions the same. I asked tons of questions about how they have performed for other customers ... Are they really the same ... Etc I didn't ask what brand so I could do any research I'm hating them I still don't know the brand so I cannot give you specific advice of what to avoid. Not a single issue in 8 years w Blum. Not even in the new kitchen yet and several drawers are crazy hard to open. Can force them to full extension but w Blum, could tug the drawer open w one finger and it would beautifully glide out all the way. Now I'm having to wrestle w drawers. Also, the soft close isn't working on a couple drawers. It's just not catching and pulling it closed. The cabinet guy is replacing the problem ones as I discover them. (We aren't even moved in yet and I'm having all these problems). I can tell you though, I totally regret not going w Blum this time

We did a custom height liquor drawer here, for those tall bottles. And placed it next to the refrigerator drawers, with the hutch above for the glassware. The custom island has pot and pan drawers facing the range, and the trash facing the sink. And a custom powder coated iron counter support system. The oven stack was custom, and placed the french door oven above a microwave drawer. The corner drawers are next to a custom sized tray base. There were some compromises for homeowner preferences, but for the whole, the project turned out well because the homeowner was open to listening to ideas to improve the layout. Your layout has room for improvement that will make it easier to work in your kitchen. I would hope that you are open to all ideas, and not just about cabinet customizations.