rockybird, what a beautiful setting! Take a deep breath, and enjoy the journey creating your new home as it will be wonderful!

I'd go with the custom if you can determine his work will be high quality. Not that Ikea may not be decent, but if your intent is to tear them out as soon as you can, then that option seems wasteful whether you donate or, heavens forbid, add to landfill. I am in a nearly identical situation even with the unexpected HVAC replacement, but luckily found a custom cabinet maker who can provide what I hope will be high finish, Euro cabinets that I will enjoy for years to come. HB (or Peacock for those with traditional taste) is not under consideration when I can get the look and details I want for a more affordable price. Good luck!

From what I can see, you have no kitchen or interior whatsoever.
I'd get the IKEA kitchen, but do it well enough that any upgrade can be years away. While you may want everything now (and who doesn't?), your budget has been hit hard. You don't want to be the next person on the wrong end of a short sale.

I'd get the Abstrakt cabs if you want Euro modern and a decent counter such a Silestone or Zodiaq, etc... because at 40% off, that may buy you time. If you do go with the HB later on, you may be able to keep some or all of the counters depending on layout. You can match up a Silestone type counter easier down the road than a granite.

If you go to IKEAfans.com, you can see many great looks, all done reasonably. I'd skip the uppers for now and make it all lowers and open shelving for a very clean line/look.

I'd rather see you replace the glass that needs doing and use the house for a while before you think of redoing the kitchen. In a few years, donate your cabs to a Habitat for Humanity Restore (write-off) or sell them on Craiglslist and recoup some of the outlay. You should check both places to see if you can find what you want now.

If you have been hit with unexpected expenses, then you need to go into triage mode. Do what needs doing first and do it well. The kitchen can wait a few years or more to be top of the line as long as you have something to cook on in the meantime. You may find yourself delaying putting in an expensive one if your kitchen looks nice and functions well.

Definitely look to pick up appliances on CL, the H for H Restore and/or ebay. I'd go with late model good pieces that will serve you for many years. If you do change cabs down the road, make sure you won't have to lay out for appliances again.

I wouldn't install only to demo/tear out in a few years. It seems a little wasteful, not just in terms of money but materials. What about installing the Ikea kitchen now and in a few years having custom drawer/door fronts and maybe additional features made? Or doing a combo of Ikea and custom now where standard cab sizes won't work? I definitely wouldn't go with the option the cabinet maker gave you of doing it in stages as you can afford it. You need all cabs in place before you do countertops or backsplash or anything. The stages thing would drag the finished product out for who knows how long. Having just gone thru my own 3+ month kitchen reno that option sounds miserable.
FYI, I just did an Ikea kitchen and I'm pretty pleased with the quality for the money. My style is also MCM and I did a combo of Nexus yellow-brown and white slab doors.

First, congratulations on your new house, it's such a beautiful setting! I would recommend that you sit down with your handsome architect and lay out a vision for how the house should look -- you have probably already done this -- and see if an IKEA kitchen can fit that vision. They have cabs with a contemporary look that might work quite well in your house. Don't think about the neighbors in their multi-million houses. Do what works for YOUR house and your vision, and of course your budget. (Speaking as someone who lives in a small midcentury tract house in a neighborhood that has been going upscale, said house now dwarfed by a 6000 sf million+ dollar one next door... but I digress.) If IKEA will fit the design but isn't upmarket enough for the neighborhood, well, no one really has to know. :) If, however, IKEA just won't work with your long-range plan, then I think you should do the bones right (flooring, walls, and whatever else would be a pain to redo later) -- then as dianalo says, put in some shelving and temporary lowers (maybe freestanding?) in the kitchen until you have been there a while.

And enjoy your new place! You have a great opportunity there, just take your time and remember to breathe. p.s. Our new 6000 sf neighbors are sweethearts, so it all works out in the end. :) I hope you love your new neighborhood too!

Rockybird, first let me say your house is stunning as is the area. What a thrill it must be working on this project. Yes , I know the stresses associated with such a large project but you have to keep thinking about the end result. You will have a one of a kind house and one to be very proud of.

I live in an 1840 house in Ontario, Canada and we too are tackling a very big renovation project on our own. This is taking us a very long time. We are also putting in an Ikea kitchen. The key is to customize it so that it doesn't scream Ikea although I don't think that is such a bad thing. This has allowed us to splurge in other areas. There are alot of Designers and Architects who put in Ikea kitchens although you would never know it with all of the customizing they do. Sarah Richardson, a Canadian designer uses them all the time and her homes are beautiful. They have many style doors that would suit your home perfectly. I think you could live with them for years and I think if it will get you closer to your dream you should consider it. Just my 2 cents. Keep us posted, I can't wait to see your progress.

Sue

For inspiration - Here are links to 2 of my favorite kitchens on this site. One is all Ikea and the other used Ikea boxes and had custom walnut fronts made. If budget is really an issue you could live with Ikea fronts for a few years and then have custom one made later or do it all now... but a good way to save is to use Ikea boxes. I have all drawer units and I'm really pleased with how smooth moving they are even loaded up with all my heavy dishes etc.
jakabedy's kitchen...
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0414105728875.html

jill_77's kitchen...
http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/2005/08/jill77s-kitchen.html

Ah.....I believe I know this neighborhood. Is Leona Helmsley's house just up the hill? You're fortunate to have snagged this piece of property. I love those ranch styles! Good luck with your decisions. I had to read your post because the title fits my current feelings also. (Except for the contemporary part). I can't seem to get all the choices DONE!

I know where you are... lol! when you posted before i looked up and read all about it and viewed lots of pics of the area. I've only been up in that area a few times IRL. that is just an awesome area - you are very blessed!

i do think living in it for some time before actually redoing the kitchen would a good thing.

I also have been thinking about hb but it is beyond my budget. Have you looked at Viola Park? It is the same aesthetic but half the price. Same company!!! Much better quality than Ikea. Google it, you'll see.

Thank you for the responses! I so much appreciate it! I have been so worried about this house. It really helps to hear your words of encouragement, especially about this house and location.

I really took your responses to heart. I met with the architect today. I shared with him what you all said. We decided that I will stay with ikea for now. The countertop deal is too good to pass up. We decided on the grey abstrakt cabinets with white silestone. The floors are mottled light grey/white concrete. What do you all think of the colors? Alternatively, I can do white/white or white cabs/grey counters. This will let me put money towards doing the things that are going to require my imminent attn., namely new double paned glass.

The good news is that my father/stepmo. came into town last night. They have high expectations for homes/etc. They saw the house today. I was so nervous about what they might think. They loved it and totally saw my vision for it.

Dianalo: Thank you for your feedback. You are right in that I need to be prudent in my choices for this house. Thank you for grounding me! I have been shopping cl a lot-so far, I got a viking double oven and a ge monogram fridge. I dont cook so cant justify spending a lot on appliances I wont use much.

abundantblessings: Thank you! I guess I will stay with ikea now. As I dont cook, I think the ikea will hold up for years. I agree that custom is a better route than hb, but I do believe I will wait for the right time.

oldhouse1: Your house sounds lovely. I would love to see pics of it as you progress through the remodel. It is good to hear that you also plan to use ikea.

lolog72: Thank you for the links. Those are beautiful kitchens! They are a real inspiration.

kathylquiltz: I am not certain, but I think Leona Helmsey's house is in Paradise Valley. This house is on the south side of Camelback mtn.