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Opinions Please - cabinet and countertops

13 years ago

We are in the planning stage of kitchen remodeling. Both my husband and I are not the DIY type, and we haven't done any big renovations either by hiring a pro except for small repairs by handyman. So I am very nervous. Right now I am working with 2 KDs and got different bids. It's not apple-to-apple comparison, because one KD recommendated Crystal Keyline cabinet, and another one Merillat Classic. I have done my research on this forum, and learned that Crystal Keyline is a more high end and high quality semi-custom cabinet line compared to Merillat Classic, which of course reflects in the bids: $5000 more on Crystal for my size kitchen. Financially, the bid on Merillat Classic is close to our budget, but if we want to stretch a bit, we can afford Crystal too. I really couldn't make up my mind because even with Merillat Classic Maple or Cherry, it's already a step-up from what we have now: 15 years old Merillat white "thermofoil" cabinet. The door surface starts to "bubbling up", and even peeling off from the door egde. Cost aside, if I could find the colors and door styles in both product lines, what other factors should I consider before I make decision? The neighborhood? The time that we will stay in this house? Please advise.

About the countertop: our kitchen has an L shape counter and an island. We replaced the laminated countertop on the island with granite after we moved in several years ago, and rest of kitchen are still the original laminated countertops. We thought about replacing all with granite in this remodeling, but based on our experience with the island, the granite can be very cold in the winter time. Our L shape counter has an openning to our great room, where my husband and kids like do their works while watching me cooking. So granite, though "good looking", might be too cold and uncomfortable for us (we have a long winter). Will Corian a better choice, or we should stay with formica for the comfortableness? Opinions please.

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Comments (3)

remodelfla
13 years ago
Keep in mind while planning this and considering budget and teh "stretching" thereof... that there will ALWAYS always always be unforeseen costs no matter how well you plan. So... if that extra 5K stretches your budget to the max and will leave you without any other resources; I'd seriously consider setting it aside as your "emergency" fund for those unexpected costs that will undoubtedly come up.
smilieme
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks! I will keep that in mind.
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Once mocking it up, I see your Fog more with the counter than your Platinum. I still like the green/blue Kiwi for the bs best followed by the Khaki. The Fog seems a little too perky/powdery IMHO. The Kiwi seems more conventional and the Khaki is more edgy. I think the Kiwi will highlight the yellow olive tones more. The Khaki will make you notice the blue-teal shades. I tend to go with cool tones, so for me to have picked the floor choice in a more tan/orange is a departure for me. My kitchen is white/gray/black/lavender/chrome, so you can see where my color scheme heads... I like the "Madrid Brown" from your website of the Platinum because it plays up the orange of the cabs and the small parts of it in your stone. I did not want the same color as your cabs though because that could be dark and monotone when paired too closely. I'd definitely get your stone installed before picking the bs and then pick your paint color last.
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cpartist
13 years ago
Agree with remodelfla about the budget. They say add an additional 10% but if you really want to be safe (and if something wonderful catches your eye that isn't in budget) plan on up to 20%. If you don't use it, then you can get that wonderful piece of furniture later on.

As for what to look for? Neighborhood is a big factor. For example, both my place in Fl and my place in NY are selling for about the same price, but I'm going more high end in Fl. Why? Because in our Fl place it's expected to have the better appliances, cabinets, etc for what our place would sell for. In NY similar houses do not have top of the line, etc so we didn't put them in.

How long you plan to stay is another. If this is your forever house, I say go for what you want and what will make you happy in the kitchen. Within reason of course. You're not going to put a $50k kitchen in a house that will only sell for $100k of course.

After that, I'd look at quality of cabinets. Plywood boxes are best, dovetail drawers are best on wood cabinets. But for ex, Merillat makes a great product and they should last for many years. And mdf nowadays is not what it was 10 years ago. See how the product is put together? Stapled is not good. How are edges finished? All wood doors are best. However, that doesn't mean a door with laminated wood won't stand up to years of abuse.

As for granite, I love it, but if you dislike the cold, then I'd opt for corian. Again though, if this is not a granite neighborhood, why not look at the new formica options which are far above what they were even 10 years ago?

Start with a budget with the 20% added in. Don't forget the cost of what it will take to have gc do your kitchens and be sure to do your homework when interviewing them. (lots of good info on the net about questions to ask and what to search for with a gc. I'm glad we did. One we were briefly considering didn't have his own license. It was in his wife's name. When we checked further, we found out it was because he was on his state's sex offender's list. Obviously we didn't hire him.)

After you have your Kitchen designed, go to a KD or draftsman and have it drawn up exactly so that you can get price bids. And finally realize that Mr. Murphy will be moving in with you while you remodel. (Seems I can't get rid of him. Anyone want to give him a room?)

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