When I was cabinet shopping Dynasty was really expensive! Significantly more than the custom cabinets I just had installed. There is no question that the Dynasty cabinets are beautiful, but the design freedom you get with custom is very nice. Custom cabinets are beautiful too BTW.

It sounds like you are going to have a beautiful kitchen. I like the look you are going for.

I nothing about style and interior design, but I'll throw this out - What about shaker doors with a bead board panel? Couldn't that be antiqued?

~Jay

We are using Dynasty. We are ordering it tomorrow. Inset doors. Our cabinets will be in by Feb. I like your idea about the raised antique black cabinets. We are going to use a shaker style Pearl door w/ concealed hinges as well. We are going to have a large island w/ bead board panel in Cherry Chestnut.

I have Omega custom entirely, but I do have inset shaker style doors with a bead. I love them, they're gorgeous and wonderful quality.

I'm not sure if your dealer has mentioned it, but you can mix Dynasty and Omega if you need something that Dynasty does not have (Buehl did this). Use Dynasty for the bulk of your cabs and then do the island in the black from Omega (they do an antiqued black finish and can do it on any door that either dynasty or omega make).

On a personal note, I'm totally against the island in a different color as I think this will be a dated thing soon, but if you have the right kitchen, and are shooting for an unfitted look, than do the island in a totally different finish and door style that flows well with the others to make the look make sense. If you don't...well that's ok too :) It's your kitchen!

These are all unfinished pics...sorry:

As to the custom verses dynasty or omega...If I lived in the lower 48 (ok i forgot, I now do LOL) I would use a custom cabinet maker as they would be cheaper than the Omega custom kitchen and probably easier to deal with, but in Alaska, I had less options. Either way, I don't think you'll regret dynasty or omega...they're both lovely (the difference is higher end finishes and totally custom for omega by the way, but the same company makes both). If you look at Buehl's kitchen you'll see that the two are seamless when mixed

I would look at custom for the inset- Inset and inset with a bead is where we usually save people a lot of money compared to a boxed cabinet. Our shop mostly does inset and have it down to a science.

We remodeled our kitchen about 4 years ago and did exactly what you are thinking about. We have pearl Dynasty cabinets with black granite tops on the outer part of the kitchen. The island is Omega black (because we wanted a custom size, shape, etc.) with a birch wood top. We love it and get many compliments. I just joined the forum and am not sure how to post a picture but will be happy to once I figure it out!

I posted a picture of our remodeled kitchen in the kitchens photo gallery. It is called "black island kitchen remodel" if you want to see what we did. :)

Thanks for all the feeback and pictures!

Igloochic: Your kitchen is beautiful! Can you explain what a shaker door with "a bead" is? I know what bead board is, but not sure what you mean b "a bead" - thanks.

Sandiandjerry: I can't wait to see your kitchen - keep us posted!

jcwc: Thanks so much for posting the pic of your kitchen - it really helps me to see what I have thinking about doing. I really like it!

-remodel-mama

Before you make your final puchase, look at the Seville cabinets at the store. I was thinking about Dynasty and then found the Seville. Although they were late with delivery (I don't think their fault though) they seem to be well-made.

LOL How to explain the bead....that's a good one. Basically it's a rounded bit of trim that is on the cabinet face framing the door when it is closed. I think if you look at the fake drawer on the dishwasher (long handle to the right of the steer head on the sink) you can see the bead. It's quite small and just a little detail, but it really looks lovely with a shaker inset door.