love your zinc countertops, saladbar! I'm trying to create in my mind and eventually in my kitchen a new kitchen from studs out. small kitchen, but may be costly, since I want to change out the cabs, countertops, floor, and appliances. they are almost 20 years old from the condo conversion, so they've had a long and useful life. I am thinking of using more than one countertop surface, and stainless steel around the sink was my first thought, but recently the idea of using zinc and soapstone (from my old high school lab days...)came to mind. I think your long zinc countertop around the sink area is fabulous. post more pics as progress progresses. Jan

I decided to paint some old boards over old colors that are light and neutral with the Aura Satin paint I have here in the quart and the BM Regal Pearl Finish paint in the SW Antique White color (not for the color but for the finish/shine). I really like painting with the Pearl Finish paint and the VOC count and drying time is so much less than the old formula. I know I will not be doing the painting but it is such a nice paint and really covers well. The Aura Paint I can not paint well with and I know a painter would have to be very skilled to paint with it. I will see how I feel when both boards dry but so far my feeling is that despite wanting to go lower VOC, I may just stay with the BM Regal Paint in the Pearl Finish since it is so nice and rich on the walls without too much of a shine. The Satin is definitely shinier than the Pearl. I do not like Eggshell or flat paint so I have decided to not try out the Aura Eggshell finish. I am going to have to air out the room due to my preference for finish over VOC count. If I would like an eggshell finish, I would go with the Natura.

Michelle, I know how disappointed you must be and you may have already resolved this problem. Style wise we are VERY similar in our choices. I LOVE latches. My husband does not. I am compromising by using latches up high and on display cabinet and then I am going to use glass knobs on the other doors. It is very consistent with a kitchen from 1900-1940's at least. I know that we cannot see your entire layout and you probably are so set in your decision but I having the bead fail or break off would be horrible. We have a very old kitchen in our house with an original cabinet from the 1880's. The doors are inset and there are icebox latches on the cabinet BUT the bead is FLUSH with the door not raised as yours is. GOOD LUCK! I see your cabinet door detail very well from your pictures. That was my second choice door style. I like it very much. Mine had a slightly rounded inner edge with out the flat part. I was worried the flat part would be a dust catcher. I think they only look different from up close though.

I have been shocked by the responses on this site that in so many ways elude to justifying the manufacturer for not finishing the job. I would have thought if any site would side with the consumer it would be this one. I have no intentions of doing business with either of them. That is not that point. The point was for others who may be considering them thru other dealers to be aware of the attitudes of River Run And Touchstone. I gave a very long background so the story would be complete with details instead of bad mouthing for spite. Touchstone products are well made if nothing goes wrong. If something does do not expect it taken care of in a timely manner. I have paid more for the cabinets then I have collected to date. I had to pay in full for them when they were delivered. I did that so the owner could get them installed on time with their contractors schedule. As a result of Touchstone not making them correctly and having to deliver 4 times to the project instead of what should be 1 the owner does not want to pay untill complete so I am motivated to get it finished. Touchstone could care less about that. Suppliers like that will put you out of business for paying for everything. I mine as well have a sign on my door that says looking for cabinets? I will buy them for you!!!!! That only lasts so long before you are out of money. I will be fine I was just so surprised the companies stated their postitions when they are clearly not professional in their approach to problem solving. Lastly..... I was in the owners house friday night till 8:30 pm installing the last delivery of doors that showed up 6:00 pm. The national sales manager told me the doors would arrive thursday when he said he was going to replace my business with another one meaning I do not sell enough of his products for him to care.... I called the owners to tell them thursday was the day and to be home if possible to finish. Thursday comes and I get a call from the plant thursday afternoon saying the truck was finally loaded and just left and would arrive to me late friday. I had to call the owners and say false alarm should be tomorrow now. The manager knew that he did not have the courtsey to explain what he meant by thursday was my day..... The owners said to me friday they never know if I am telling the truth because what ever I say will happen never does. I am always miss lead by the company I immediately let the owners know what the plan is when I get information from Touchstone to find out the day of that I was not told the right thing. I have had 3 drivers deliver the 4 times they have been there. All of them have said they hate working their and are looking for other jobs as what happens to me all happens to them and the other employees. I do what ever is possible to give the best service I am able to. It amazes me there are so many companies who have enough people to work with they do not have to do the same. This business is awfull everyone wants you to give them the world for service value and quality and always beat you down to get it. It is a struggle every day to justify your products and services are worth the purchase. Reputation is everything and easy to lose when you have a finite number of repeat clients. Most of my business is repeat with various types of professionals in the Remodeling industry. I do all I can to make what I do professional and acurate the first time. The longer I am in this business I learn that a national company does not need to do the same thing as there are many fish in the sea for them to switch to.