Thanks everyone! I think the $7,000 difference also covered a few other changes we made...but some added some subtracted. However, the majority of it comes from the door change. I think about $1,000 came from postponing the 3 decorative doors on the side of the peninsula facing the DR + furniture base. By eliminating one of the single wall ovens (was going to be undercounter) and moving a MW drawer there, we actually added to the cost (~300) of that cabinet since it will now have at least one drawer + the MW. We also eliminated the breadbox (~400 savings there). Lastly, we postponed the Message Center on the end of the Pantry (~1,300). Over the next few years we plan to add the "postponed" items. One of the additional things we did to whittle away at the cost was to eliminate the backsplash. I've noticed that quite a few people put off the backsplash until later and, from what I've read here, it should be relatively easy to add later. I'm trusting all of you on that! Maybe I'll even try my hand at DIYing it (scares me though!) With the door & other cabinet changes made, postponing the backsplash, downgrading our appliances, and postponing other things (Vinnata faucet, new toilet, 2nd GD), we've managed to bring the cost down to something we think we can swing w/o going into debt...that's our goal, financially! Who knows...in a few years if I still want the Artesia door I can always buy them and replace the current doors! (After we "add back' the postponed items!) Again, thanks everyone for helping me feel better about this whole ordeal!

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

Hi Rebecca, I just want to say I am not here to sway your decision in any way from one cabinet line to another, I will just pass on what I know about the two, and let you decide what is best for you. As snookums pointed out "Customer's house and money. The decisions are theirs only". Short answer is yes, you can finish the ends and back to match your cabinetry. First off, if you decide to pursue the idea of Diamond, make sure your KD is quoting you Diamond Distinctions, in APC (all plywood construction) and not Diamond Vibes, as someone else mentioned. The APC replaces standard cabinet construction with unfinished 1/2â³ plywood ends, top, bottom, and 3/8â³ back. Upgrades shelves to 3/4â³ finished plywood. 5% Up-charge(I consider this a no brainier, and my customers almost always want the APC) This will give you the same box construction as the higher end cabinet line. Finished ends are accomplished several ways. 1- Finished Ends Creates a matching finished 1/2â³ plywood exterior end. 2-Furniture Finished Plywood Ends Replaces standard cabinet ends with 3/4â³ finished end panels to achieve a Furniture End appearance. 3-Authentic Ends Modifies cabinet end panel with applied decorative door. I use this one the most. Sounds like what you were looking for. 4- Face Frame and Door on End Creates a working door on the end of the specified cabinet. Finishing the backs of islands is one place the two cabinet lines are going to differ, the higher end offers face frame, and matching door panels by the SF built to any configuration and size. The Diamonds don't, but can be done by applying a matching cabinet skin and moldings, then apply what we refer to as "loose doors" . This is one of those many details that needs to be well planned, so as to order the correct size "loose doors"as well as the right skin and moldings. Hope this helps Wayne

Are you able to post a layout diagram? I'm wondering about aisle clearances, especially with bar stools pulled out from the island, across from the fridge. Do you know what you are storing in the tall shallow bank of cabinets? If not... have you gone through what you need to store and identified where it goes, throughout the kitchen? Have you identified your prep area and clean-up zone? Where are trash pull out(s)? Do you have a recycling center, do you compost, how many people are in the kitchen cooking at once... I suggest more time spent on functionality at this time before finalizing cabinet choices. BTW- I highly recommend 18" deep uppers, they are wonderful for large bowl storage. You have selected wonderful cabinets and I would like to see you get the best kitchen possible:) One more idea - if you stick with the current wall, another idea might be to use lighted glass uppers all the way around. You aren't going to able to access these cabinets easily. Poorly shown here: