We used the Kemper Northrope (same doorstyle as Lowes Gresham) in one of our vignettes. It's in alder, Black Forest. Alder will have more grain than maple, but it will also be less muddy. It's no difference in charge between maple and alder, but it's cheaper than cherry.

There's also a new wide style shaker door that is is similar in appearance that's new this year. It's a veneer center panel rather than a reverse raised panel like the Northrope. Kemper calls it the Larsen, but I'm not sure what Lowes calls it. It's a little less expensive if budget becomes an issue. You could downgrade to it and get the same look. Also, since Diamond, Kemper and Schrock are all the same cabinets with different labels, you should consider getting quotes from other places than just Lowes. Very often, box stores actually are the highest priced retailers with the least experienced designers.

live_wire_oak, what is the hardware that you used on your brown cabinets?

I believe Thomasville, too, are the same as Diamond, except the backs are 1/4 inch while the Diamond's are 3/8 inch.

We used the Amerock Swirl'Z in copper on the perimeter alder cabinets, and Amerock's Mulholland in the Gilded Bronze on the island. That giant pull in the last pic is actually designed to be a refrigerator pull. We didn't do any built in fridges, but I wanted to show the pull size somewhere. It's the perfect size below the wine cubbies.

Yes, Thomasville is the same same as well. No different specs at all. When I did the factory tour in Auburn, AL, it was only at the end as they were getting ready to be boxed that they acquired the different labels. It all comes off of one and the same assembly line.

Live-Wire_Oak, thank you so much for sharing all this information about how these three cabinet brands are just about the same. I love your kitchen! I love the choice you made especially the beautiful floors, door style, door hardware, gorgeous counters, the spacious and pretty island, etc.

Live_oak_wire, and what is the style of the large appliance pull used beneath your wine rack?

Amerock Mulholland in the Gilded Bronze. It's an oversized appliance pull and was NOT cheap. I'd have to look the invoice up, but I think that suggested retail on that bad boy is close to $200. Since we have wholesale pricing, we don't sell it for that, but it's still spendy.

And if some of you noticed the knots in the island, it's made from rustic alder, while the perimeter is plain alder. We wanted to be able to show them side by side so people could see the difference. It's more apparent on the doors facing the cooktop though.

Live_wire_oak thanks so much for sharing the pictures and the information. Gorgeous kitchen ! Thanks for the suggestion on Kemper. We love the contemproirary/transitional look and so have settled on the Shaker style.
By the way What floor do you have ? We currently have Pergo ! and are debating between wood and tile. So many stores, so many choices...so difficult ,,but really exciting !!

The floors are Mohawk Villareal porcelain tile in Almond Spice color. We used porcelain throughout almost the whole kitchen portion of the showroom because it will stand up to traffic well. If this had been a personal home, I'd have done the under tile warming system as I have that in my baths and it's fabulous.

The granite and full height backsplash are 3 bookmatched slabs of Yellow River granite. The backsplash is actually 3 different pieces to be able to get it installed correctly, but the seams "flow" across it because of the bookmatching and are almost invisible.

The hutch cabinets are Kemper Herrington Square door in Tidal Mist color with applied V-groove sides on it and the island.

I painted the walls SW Iviore.

The hood package includes the insert with halogen lighting and 900 CFM blower from Kemper and fits like a hand in a glove with no tweaking needed by the installer other than to attach a pigtail and duct and plug it in.

I DIY installed Hafele tape lights for the under cabinet lighting, and they are on a dimmer if we need them to be.

Live_wire_oak thanks so much for sharing the pictures and the information. Gorgeous kitchen ! Thanks for the suggestion on Kemper. We love the contemproirary/transitional look and so have settled on the Shaker style.
By the way What floor do you have ? We currently have Pergo ! and are debating between wood and tile. So many stores, so many choices...so difficult ,,but really exciting !!