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OK to mix styles of cabinets?

11 years ago

Hi - My custom built shaker style natural cabinets were installed today. Builder did a beautiful job! However... I requested full overlay... they are traditional overlay... My island is to be painted almond color in full overlay which we ordered from local lumber store... Is this going to be a problem with two different looks? My builder said he could replace the doors/drawer fronts with full overlay for additional $$ if I so desired. What would you do?

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Comments (5)

sas95
11 years ago
If you requested full overlay why is he charging you additional to get what you asked for?
Mizinformation
11 years ago
Some people are sticklers for same-ness, but this wouldn't bother me if I were a guest in your home. I might not even notice the difference. However, if it were my kitchen and I got something different than I ordered, it would bug the heck out of me every time I saw it. What sas said: No way would I pay to fix something that was my original request. What does the contract say? That's what you should get at the price you agreed to. If it costs more to fix, the cabinetmaker should eat it. The builder we're working with said from the beginning: "If something's off, I will make it right." Luckily we haven't had to test that statement, but that's the level of service I would expect if you have a contract. Good luck! Get what you want.
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I agree with lascatx. I have raised panel overlay on my perimeter, which is white, and the same raised panel overlay on my island, which is espresso. A separate section of my perimeter, which comprises the stove alcove and flanking cabinetry, is the same white as the other white cabs, but is full-flush with a bead, and raised panel doors. It all ties in beautifully, IMHO, because the sections all relate to each other. The Danby marble counters are the same, in an effort to pull it all together. Although I have that same slab marble behind the range, the b-splash behind the cabs flanking the range is the same tile as the rest of the b-splash behind the white perimeter cabs. Also pulling it together are glass-fronted double-stacked uppers in both perimeter sections, and the same drawer pulls and cabinet knobs throughout. So, like Lascatx says, "keep it related" and it can be gorgeous.
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My bathroom doors are not the same as my kitchen cabinet doors. They somewhat relate to each other but that is because the overall feel of the cabinetry is my taste - FWIW my cabinets are a variant of Shaker as they were inspired by the Prairie aesthete of Frank Lloyd Wright. And I have cabinets in my office/den area which are not the same but complement the kitchen cabinets. As posted I think bathrooms - especially bathrooms are their own thing because they are self contained. For example even if all flooring in a home is wood, bathrooms contiguous to the wood will have tile flooring of some kind.
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lascatx
11 years ago
If you really want the full overlay, you should get it without paying for new doors. However, if you like the cabinets as they are and are only worried about the island looking too different, I wouldn't worry. My cabinets are all frameless, but I have recessed panel painted cabinets and raised panel stained cabinets on the 3 door styles on 3 finishes. The two painted are different only by one bead on the edge, but the stained island cabinets have raised panels and a bit more detail. I wanted the island to look a bit more like a furniture piece. Sounds like you will have a different finish too, so a different style is fine.
3boysandadog
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you ALL for your input! I've been sick about this all night... I forgot to state my cabinets are natural cherry. Your opinions/advice are invaluable. I am ready to be done with this project! Way to stressful!
Sas95 - All I can say was it must have been a miscommunication between us/builder. He has been wonderful!
I think I'm going to wait until my island is installed, and see if I can live with it. Perhaps Mizinformation - you are correct and others may not even notice. Thank you lascatx for your opinion... I need to let go of my OCD :)
peonybush
11 years ago
My island is different from the cabinets not only in finish but style. The cabinet company refused to do the perimeter style on the island because I wanted a glaze on the island stain. They said the black glaze would not "pick up" on the other cabinet style. I picked a style that closest resembled each other. Frankly, I never think about it or notice the difference and nobody else has noticed either unless I point it out.
See pics below....
That being said, I would not pay for something I did not specifically order. They would have to make it right or make some concession.
When my drawer fronts came, all of them were wrong. All were flat faced and that is not what I ordered or wanted. They did reorder them on their dime.

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