Hi Tammy, the cabinets themselves are really nice. I'd also be very happy with the ones in the kitchen.

As for the dining area, there's that one upper, 5th from left, 4th from right, that stands out as quite different. I think if that door were replaced the uppers would look fine.

The lowers in the dining area look a little like four separate boxes, with the 2nd and 4th looking most alike, but the 1st and 3rd not at all.

I know they tell you there is some variation with real wood and I don't know at what point you can say "too much!!" My bathroom vanity came out darker than the sample, but it was uniform in tone/color, and I'm finally okay with it.

Good luck.

Agree 100% with you. The first picture of the kitchen looks really nice!

However, that second picture of the buffet area is not good. Not good at all!

I could not live with that. I don't even think that switching the cabinets around so that a very dark door is not right next to a very light door will help because they all look so off.

Maybe it's my screen. The first left upper looks a medium golden brown, the next looks pink tone, the next one is just a hot mess (with door Linelle refered to), then last one on right has a similar tone to the left side but still not exactly the same.

None of the lowers are the same tone either. All are very splotchy.

I'd be afraid even the replacements of the same veneered door would not turn out much better. Maybe consider returning the doors and asking for a credit on doing the solid doors instead like the kitchen has. They took the stain nicely. We're they way more expensive?

Pretty cabinets. :)

Could you switch the doors around and have lighter doors on the outsides and darker ones in the middle or vice verse? Or graduate the colours from left being lightest to the most right being the darkest. I'm just trying to figure out how you could keep what you have, maybe. :) Maybe others are right, but it's a suggestion.

To my eye the lowers are worse. Too bad you couldn't have a piece of trim across the top of the lowers, like you do on the uppers, which would send the eye across instead of tripping up on the four box look. The 4 box look result is highlighting the variations. That would bother me more than the colour variations in the wood.

A thought. Does the counter hang over it so the colour problem will fade a bit into the background?

Yes, that amount of variation is normal with real wood cabinets, especially with woods that are difficult to stain such as alder and maple. If you wanted less variation and a medium to dark tone, a cherry or oak would be much more color consistent.

Sophie, thanks for the "pro" reply. I understand the variation thing. It's disconcerting when one area's variations blend so well, yet the other area is so wildly different.

rebunky - great idea about getting a credit to apply to solid doors. Yes, the outside cabinets are good and do blend well with the kitchen area. It's the inside ones that are so darn distracting!

I have to agree: almost, but not quite. It's worth seeing if you can replace some of the doors. I think it's too much. So close to looking really good!

Ok, I played with my cute new app for you! :-)

Cool app :).

I like Linelle's description of it looking like four separate boxes. It should look like one wall unit.

Blotchy stain is the property of the wood. What is it?

Sophie, I thought alder took stain as good as cherry. No?

may_flowers - Yes, it does look like 4 separate boxes, and, yes, it *should* look like one wall unit.

The wood is Maple. We were under the impression Maple took stains pretty well, which seems to be the case for the ones installed in the Kitchen. The Medallion rep and our contractor will be coming over this week to take a look.

PS I almost didn't post about this, but having everyone's comments will truly be invaluable when talking through this with the rep.

Maple is well known for being blotchy when stained. It behaved as it is known to behave.

Good news! The Medallion reps and the contractor all agreed there was too much variation in the cabinet doors and drawer colors. We'll be ordering replacements soon :).

Good! They're gonna be great.

*much clapping*

That is good news - and smart of them to fix this problem.

Great news, very happy for you.

Rebunky - love that app. What is it?

I am thrilled they are replacing!

Romy, it is called You Doodle. It was free. Been playing with the free version so far.