I've never heard anything bad about Plain and Fancy (except they can be a tad pricey). They do have some awfully nice designs.

Maybe you can ask about other brands and people who have them might be able to help. Also try searching the finished kitchen blog and see if anyone has what you're looking at.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/

From what I've heard, Plain and Fancy and Woodmode would come to mind -- both nice and both tend towards pricey. I've never seen Plain and Fancy in person, but I know that Woodmode's finish is wonderful. And I'm not sure what you mean by custom painted -- are you looking for fully custom cabinetry or a custom paint finish? I know you can get a custom paint finish in Woodmode because I have one.

As far as why prices can be so different, sometimes the difference is in the details -- the bevels or beading of the wood, or in a hand-rubbed finish that looks like a fine piece of furniture. Sometimes it's that glaze or distressing. Sometimes it's a company that pays extra attention to details so that you get what you ordered with minimla problems. Sometimes it's the fact that they ship on their own trucks rather than tossed on a common carrier like any other package and half may arrive split or sented.

If you don't need fully custom cabinets or a custom paint finish, I would look at Medallion and Brookhaven also. Brookhaven is a Woodmode product with less customiztion and a little less posh finishing. They didn't have inset when I was looking, but I think both came out with them soon after I ordered mine.

Thanks for the responses lascatx and fori. I think my original question was not too clear, though, - so sorry!

I know exactly what type of cabinet I want and every custom shop seems to sell it - it is a very standard raised panel inset cabinet. To my untrained eye, once you put paint on this style of cabinet, every brand looks exactly the same. Each brand's door seems solid, each brand seems to offer all the goodies you want - ie pull out trash etc. I guess the custom cabinet lines are all of fairly good quality.

So I am wondering how do you choose except price - and if price is all that differs between them what are the least expensive brands of custom inset cabs?

Luscatx, I am working on getting a quote on Medallion's semi-custom inset line. I will be interested to learn how that brand compares price-wise to a fully custom line. I should look at Brookhaven, too. Thanks.

Try Holiday Kitchens too. They only add 5% for paint plus 8% for maple = 13%.

P&F has a paint grade maple with no upcharge for wood...but their painted finishes add 20%.

You can get both Holiday and P&F with the vinyl interiors (not all wood construction) and save some there.

Just make sure that all of your uppers are at least 12.5" deep.

Yes, Medallion now has inset, but it's only available in their top of the line all-wood construction, which is about the same cost as a Holiday or P&F kitchen with the vinyl interiors. I would still rather have the Holiday or P&F. I think their finish is much better...especially the P&F! If you saw the doors side by side...it is very obvious that P&F has a nicer finish than Medallion.

Kompy

I went in to a kitchen design shop once to look at Medallion cabinets. (People on the GW rave about them!) The KD was happily showing me the line when I mentioned that I wanted a painted finish. She immediately said that I should really go with another company for a painted finish and suggested P&F or CWP (Custom Wood Products). More expensive, of course, but I guess the painted finish holds up much better. I haven't bought any cabinets yet, so I have no first hand experience.

I've heard Crown Point is great and their is no middleman. Here is the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crown Point Cabinetry

Isn's Crown Point fairly expensive?

What would a good, middle-of-the-road cabinet for a painted finish?

Kompy, I became interested in Plain and Fancy cabs because of your advice in an earlier post - thanks again! I wish I could see P&F next to Medallion so I could really understand the differences in the painted finish. I will definitely check out Holiday cabinets - thanks.

Mahlgold, The photos on Crown Point's web site are beautiful. I thought that CP was expensive, though. Is there any reason why I cant achieve the same look/quality with a less expensive line?