Okay, I could never figure out how to post photos to the site here (I am not savvy) but I think I can embed a link to my mac.com account where I have a few stored. Also- a caveat - I *just* noticed that the original post indicated "high end" which is not our house, so my cost figures are really not comparable. I don't know how I missed that when I first read the posting, sorry all; I hope this reply is still relevant. The house is 6290 sq ft (porches add another 2410) and the finished space above the garage is 1175. You will see the garage to the left of the house. (You drive around the back of the garage.) Ceilings are 10' on basement and main floor, 9' on second floor. (Garage apt is 10'.) I thought of a few items I did spend more money on that I was not prepared for...like wood-mould brick (Old Virginia Brick) on the walk-out basement level (not visible in these photos) and the masonry fireplace. My DH wanted three true masonry-built fireplaces (only God knows why they had to be "true," the boxes with masonry surrounds and chimney look great to me), and the labor cost of doing that really blew my mind. I also thought of a few other "saves" ... Anyone on a tight budget like mine might find these useful, but they are more time-consuming so if I were building a dream house on a dream budget I might pass! I bought my marble direct from a Ga quarry, because I had my heart set on "Georgia White" which is similar in color to Carrara but is harder and less porous (so better in a kitchen application, though still not perfect) and is from Georgia (Tate). It has been a bit of a PITA because it is no longer quarried, so the only slabs were the ones still in the yard, and the quarry is not really set up for individuals walking in and buying half a dozen slabs. (They are more of an institutional source.) But, I got a beautiful material at $22/sq ft which was far less than similar marbles quoted from fabricators. For windows, I really wanted true divided lights, and I love casements. But, I restricted myself to casements in the places where I could see really using them (kitchen and master bath) and I put double-hungs everywhere else because they saved $$. Also, I have not accounted for window treatments/drapery in my budget. I have saved a ton on appliances by shopping at discount stores over a long period of time and so far, I have not made a compromise in what I wanted. For example, higher-end panel-ready units often sit at discount stores because people who shop scratch & dent discount stores are usually not buying custom cabinet panels. So the stainless dishwashers sell quickly but the panel-ready ones sit there and get marked down. I bought my new DW - Kitchen Aid, stainless-tub, panel-ready, hidden controls, etc. for $199. I got a built-in Jenn-Air panel-ready fridge for $1300. I did compromise on my cooktop - I wanted the Viking 36" induction because it has true knobs not touch controls, but I saved $2200 by buying a discontinued Siemens 36" all-induction at 50% off. The icemaker was discount because it had a nick on one side of the door that is hardly noticeable (and won't hold a candle to the havoc my toddler will bestow anyway). I won't buy the ovens discount because I really want the white Viking ovens, one convection and one steam. (A girl can have one perfect appliance, right?) And, the tile I used in the shower surrounds and kids' & guest bath floors is super-basic white ceramic (3"x6" and penny rounds). For mudroom and utlity rooms, instead of Peacock Pavers (Athensmom, they look great, get samples, they are gorgeous) at $6/sq ft I used gray pavers at $2.25/sq ft for mudroom floors. Savings on the tile all around. At the outlets (up 400 near Dahlonega), I found amazing deals on hardwired light fixtures. I bought 7 solid brass sconces for the stairwell for $7/ea, which was probably my greatest find. So, I saved enough that I could then go a little overboard with Circa Lighting in the areas that meant the most to me. Sorry for the very long post! I hope this info is helpful to those of you with budget constraints. Like I said, someday perhaps I will not spend the kind of time that shopping discount requires, but then again, it has been really fun! I will try to remember to post updated photos. I hope in 6 weeks we are complete, and then I can share the final finishes and interiors. At this point, if we stay on track in these last 6 weeks, the per sq ft construction cost is just under $72, so not in the high end category for sure. I will keep ya'll posted if there is interest. Here is a link that might be useful: New house photos (mid-October)

The Brewmatic is great! It connects to a receptacle behind it in the backsplash wall and is fed by a 1/4" line that runs in the wall and pokes out behind the unit as well. I ran the water line in a piece of 3/8" flexible electrical conduit that extends to the basement where I have the water filter. This provides protection to the water line as well as providing the means to replace it if needed in the future. I simply grouted around the water line as it comes through the tile and that seems to be working well. Extra cord and water line are coiled and tied and tucked up behind the unit.

We have what I guess are "high-end" custom cabinets from Plato Woodwork. I can remember asking myself the same question - what is the difference. Some of the first cabinets I'd seen - that were very nice - were Durasupreme. I later visited a friend's KD showroom where she had a nice display with three different cabinet lines in three different price ranges - including Woodmode and Brookhaven. Woodmode had thicker doors/drawers than Brookhaven and she said there were more steps in the finishing process for Woodmode. Neither of those things really seemed to make Woodmode worth more money to me - it was that Woodmode allowed more custom options. She now also carries Durasupreme line which is more moderately priced - and likes that line because it is good quality, more economical but does allow for more custom options. We recently looked at some newer homes - potentially relocating. These were generally pretty nice homes - not cheap by any means. That is when I really realized the difference between "high end" and what I can only think must have been "low end" cabinets. The doors/drawer fronts were practically paper thin compared with mine. They just seemed cheap and flimsy to me - there's just a lot less material there. They looked nice at a distance until you opened a door or drawer. Of course the drawer boxes are completely different as well - as others have pointed out. I probably would never have noticed this before I redid my kitchen and became TKO - though my 30 year old cabinets were not thin and flimsy either.

I didn't read the whole thread, but have you considered installing glass in some of the doors? Particularly, the "corner" uppers and the uppers above the dishwasher. Then have an electrician install lighting in the cabinets, and under the cabinets, and I think you could take this kitchen to the next level without breaking the bank. :) Then, display nice, modern white dinnerware and sparking crystal or glass in those cabinets, and it would really lighten up the place. I also echo what has been said about putting up a new, sleek range hood. If it's still a bit darker than you like, paint the island, although I think you have a nice, masculine vibe going there, and I'd like to see it stay all black. You're the one who has to live with it, though! Let us know what you decide.