I'm going through a similar process. You can pay for those upgrades on Medallion or go with their "gold" line and they are included in the price. My question is "what is the difference between Medallion and Schuler?" I hear they are made at the same factory. Schuler is Lowe's version.

Well, with all the internal fittings that my designer included with the Silverline of Medallion (the lower-priced line), it still was $2,000 cheaper than the Fieldstone with fewer internal fittings.

Medallion and Schuler are one and the same, from what I understand.

Thanks for your feedback. Actually, the quotes are NOT truly apples to apples -- the Medallion design has MORE cabinets and fitting, and it LESS expensive! That will probably give the edge to Medallion, unless someone else chimes in with a good reason I should go with Fieldstone.

Susan, if you are pricing out Silverline with Fieldstone, that is not apples-for-apples. I believe FS is a custom line. Silverline only has doors with veneered center panels.

Now, if your price was $2K less for Medallion Designer or Designer Gold, then that's a different story.

Thanks. Can you define "custom line" in this context? I know the cabinet sizes are standard, not custom.

Fieldstone and Starmark have the same address in South Dakota. I am getting ready to order Fieldstone b/c of what Kompy said: it is a somewhat custom line. I need a chase built into a cabinet so it can go around a support beam. I also found a door style where the drawer was equally designed. I have a lot of drawers planned so the look of the drawer was as important as the look of the door. Fieldstone was my fourth quote and I did find one less expensive but this KD I am working with has really listened to me. She has suggested things that make my design better and not more expensive. If I had several thousand more for cabinets I would keep the KD and use her Plain and Fancy line. Sorry I don't know about Medallion.

Oh, Fieldstone is 5% off until the end of this month and my KD's center is matching that with another 5% off.

Really? Thanks for the 5% off tip. My KD didn't mention anything about that. Again, what is meant by a 'somewhat custom line"? I really want to compare specifics.

Silverline is an entry level cabinet. It's not as low end as American Woodmark or Quality Cabinets. It's quality is similar to KraftMaid's lower priced doorstyles. Medallion Silverline has a great finish and does not look builder grade.

However, with Silverline, the doors are NOT solid wood. The center panels are veneer. This is the biggest difference that I can point out to you. (Unless you also quoted a veneer center panel with FS!!!) If your kitchen is very small, then $2K is a huge amount extra. But if your kitchen is large, then the extra $2K would be worth it (in my eyes) to upgrade to FS.

However, if that 2K savings keeps you in your budget...then there's nothing wrong with going with Silverline. I have a display of it....and it looks like a million bucks. My customers don't believe it's our lower end product.

Medallion is also offering an extra 5% off right now! For a limited time. You should consider, even, upgrading to Designer series in Medallion.

Kompy

Ps. Can you tell us the doorstyles that you are considering with both lines?

Kompy,
Thank you so, so much! $2,000 does make a difference to me. The kitchen is 13' x 13.5', and our budget is $30,000. I am looking at a single-recessed-panel door, like a Shaker style, in maple. For Medallion Silverline, that would be Lancaster. For Fieldstone, it would be the Bristol, Hudson, or Milan.

The Lancaster Maple and it's cherry version, McCall, are my biggest two Silverline sellers. They are definitely priced nicely!

We have the McCall Cherry with the Chestnut stain on display.

Kompy

kompy

What is the desirable fabric for the door panel when going with a painted finish? You imply that the Medallion has a veneer plywood panel unless upgrading to their higher lines, but for several cabinet lines I keep getting told that if the finish is painted then the door will have a plywood or a MDF panel rather than the solid wood. If that is the case for painted finish then would there be any advantage to me moving up in the Medallion line? Thanks for your advice.

Tina

I'm out of town and my notes are at home but I think I recall that Fieldstone doors are solid wood and the boxes are plywood. This was an upgrade with the Kraftmaid I was looking at. For me, the Fieldstone line offered more variety in types of cabinets but this was comparing to Kraftmaid and not Medallion so I don't know if that helps you. I liked the finish and color choices too.

Does one 'feel' more right to you for your kitchen, house style, and neighborhood? It sounds like both would work, so decide on your comfort level with budget and go from there. I found it best to take my time with cabinets but now I know my search is over so it's on to the details.

Thanks, everyone. At this point, I am waiting for the labor estimate from my contractor. Then I'll have a better idea of what I can spend on the cabinetry.

If it helps, Medallion just announced a $500 rebate good at Medallion showrooms through September 30. Coupon on facebook and at Medallion web page.

Here is a link that might be useful: Medallion on Facebook

Thanks for posting that waconia! I'm excited to see that Medallion has a FB presence! I will definitely become a 'fan'. Will homeowners and dealers be able to post photos of their finished projects too? That would be great!

buffalo,
Doing paint on veneer is definitely a great way to save! I have no problem with that. The only downside...is if you get a raised panel door, there is less detail on a veneer door.

Kompy

Ps. Waconia, You should start a whole new topic on GW for the rebate coupon and the FB link!

My kd told me Medallion is doing a 5% off promotion until 6/30 plus free sink base and sink. I also negotiated another 5% off.

I thought Schuler and Medallion were one and the same, please correct me if I'm worng! I would love to know the differences.

Because each line has its own names for cabinet lines, door styles, and finishes; when comparing the two, you must be certain that you are comparing apples to apples. We did get quotes from two local Medallion dealers, but ended up purchasing Schuler from Lowes because we got a better deal.

You may see some Medallion options that are not listed in the Schuler catalog; but if you have a knowledgeable sales person at Lowes, anything that Medallion offers, can be ordered from Lowes as Schuler.

They all come from the same factory and the same production line. Our Schuler order was delivered in truck with Medallion graphics and two Medallion kitchens for a local dealer inside. The truckers said everything came from the same place. Only difference I noted was the paper invoice.

I am probably going with Fieldstone, but I agree with everyone that they are rather overpriced and not competitive with similar brands. I am hoping there is not a certain arrogance within the brand. They are high quality, but even Omega, Wood Mode and others have sales. And they are more than 5%. I think this is dealers trying to maintain discipline in mark-up reductions. Fieldstone probably offers to each dealer a spread is about 40% mark-up. It is up to the dealer to reduce price and pass on some savings to the consumer.