If you get a half overlay door style and skimp on the splash area (reducing from 18'' to 17'', you can come up with about 1.5'' for molding using 42'' uppers assuming that you ceiling is relatively level. I strongly advise you to check your ceiling for how level it is before you commit.

I have 42" cabinets that are topped with a 4 3/8" crown, but I have 8'3" ceilings. If your ceilings are exactly 8' you can probably gain a little by making your uppers a little closer to the counters (mine are 18 3/4" from the granite).

We did 42"cabs with an 8' ceiling in our remodel. We used partial overlay doors and a 3/4" cove molding at the top. Nothing fancy, obviously, but looked finished--and got us our 42" with the 8'.

Anne

We put 42" uppers under our scant 8' ceilings. No room for any molding, but our installer did a great job of concealing the wobbles and wows in the ceiling. The big unforseen surprise was that a couple of recessed light pots interfered with the swing of a few doors. Our guy was able to lower those doors just enough, and we chose the smoothest, flushest trims on our light pots.

These cupboards came equipped with four shelves, but I have just begun to reload them, and may remove a shelf or two as needed. But I'm so glad I have the extra storage space, even though I hope I don't have to go into the top shelves too often.

My cabinet place originally tried to disuade me from choosing cabs that went all the way to the ceiling. "But, you MUST have crown molding! You simply can't NOT have crown molding!" Oh yea? It's nice to have an independant KD, who scoured her picture file to find any number of kitchens with no molding.

How level is your floor? Ceiling? If they both aren't perfectly level and equi-distant b/w foor & ceiling everywhere there will be cabinets, there may be problems with putting in crown molding.

Be careful about less than 18" b/w counters & upper cabinets + light rail (yes, don't forget about the light rail to hide undercabinet light fixtures!)

Are you replacing the flooring? If you are and you're replacing vinyl w/hardwood or tile, you may have less than 8' b/w floor & ceiling.

Before you commit, calculate:

Flooring height (subflooring + wood or tile + thinset (if tile))

Base cabinet height (usually 34.5")

Countertop height (usually 1.25 to 1.5")

Height of tallest small appliance you will be using on the counter (even if it isn't used or stored underneath the upper cabinets, you still need maneuvering room) + 1/4" (e.g, height of coffeemaker or mixer + 1/4")

Light rail height (usually around 1", may be more or less...our is 1-3/8")

Upper cabinet height (30" or 42" in your case...your cabinet company really doesn't offer 36"...I'm really surprised about that)

Crown molding--whatever is left

Check out these threads for more information:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg101550018567.html

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0910283632346.html

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg101330121962.html

Update...I checked out Merillat...and they do have 36" high wall cabinets. I checked their "Product Specifications" for the Essentials, Classic, & Masterpiece and all three list 36" for cabinet heights:

Essentials: 12", 15", 18", 21", 24", 30", 36", 42"
Classic: 12", 15", 18", 21", 24", 27", 30", 36", 42"
Masterpiece: 12", 15", 18", 21", 23.5", 27", 30", 36", 42"

Product Specs page: http://www.merillat.com/products/specifications.aspx

Masterpiece Specs: http://www.merillat.com/products/specs/MasterpieceSpecs.pdf

Classic Specs: http://www.merillat.com/products/specs/ClassicSpecs.pdf

Essentials Specs: http://www.merillat.com/products/specs/EssentialsSpecs.pdf

Thanks for the help. I did check the specs. I plan to speak to the kd. I don't know why, but he thinks we can fit a 42" w/ molding, but i'm not sure (someone elso told me no). This kd is very well reviewed w/ lots of awards, & on the top 500 remodelors. Maybe that means nothing.

If you plan to reduce your backsplash height,you should also look at the specs for your range or cook top and see what the clearance specs are to the adjacent wall cabinets and light rail. It is often 18"" minimum to combustible materials. You may not pass inspections if you violate those specs.