To the original question - does anyone like builder grade oak cabinets - my answer is no. But that's mainly because the particle board parts of the drawers and carcass usually come apart at some point, like the drawer front that came off in someone's hand. The thread seems to have veered off into a question of whether even solid oak cabinets are liked, and or dated. I love my oak cabinets even though they need to be refinished. They are good quality, custom built though, and I think that makes a difference. I also like painted cabinets, and might even go that route next time. This thread kind of reminds me of something that happened in 1978. We bought our first house that year, and so did some good friends. Both our kitchens had painted cabinets. Mine were brown with yellow doors, which I hated, along with the fact that they were older. I stripped and refinished them and they looked so much better. They were a slab style solid wood though I can't remember what kind now. My friend's cabinets (and house) were newer, white, raised panel with arched top. I thought they were gorgeous, but she thought they were terribly dated since wood was really in then, so she started stripping hers too. That's when she found out that the doors were made of particle board, and stripping ruined two of them. All that to say that painted vs wood comes and goes as we've discussed here before. If you like your cabinets and they are in good shape, keep the wood finished. If not, paint them. Whichever you choose, it will come back if it's not in now, and it will be out if it's not now. And that's probably the same with arched tops, beadboard panels, aprons between cabinets, and so on.

Yes, around $600 is just for the door. I'd spend a little more if I thought the quality of the door was better. I don't want to waste my money on a piece of junk, but I simply cannot afford to drop a ton of cash on this project. I'll call around tomorrow to Allied and ABC and see if they carry any products in my price range. What is a good way to demo the existing door? I haven't opened up the wall or started ripping anything out yet, but I'm guessing the existing door was installed with a nail fin. It's probably going to be a pain to remove. Thanks again for the advice

If you just need a "working" kitchen to get the CO, then why not just get a sink and cabinet from H4H and have it set in place and working? I think that is not uncommon in kitchen renos anyway where there are going to be delays. Plug in a refrigerator. Set up a surface, cabinet or whatever, and put an induction hot plate in place. And a Breville oven maybe. That's a functional kitchen. CO's don't differentiate between beautiful and ugly, just safe and functional. Have all outlets, etc up to code and finished. Vent hood in place if you can be pretty certain of location. If you aren't sure of the location, you will need to get a permit (later, when you real cabinets are installed) because you'll be going through walls/roof and wiring (although maybe the wiring can be done now if you know the general location, so you wouldn't need a later permit). I'm thinking you actually have an almost ideal situation now. A big empty room with all wiring, plumbing and finish work done, just waiting for the cabinets you love to be installed.

Hi Cee Smith, It really is a personal preference. You may just want to keep an eye out in the lighting department of your favorite big box store. Also, keep your phone handy and snap a pic of lights you like on other houses. Your home isn't such a strong style that it will dictate the light fixture. There are some homes, for example, where they are clearly Victorian, or Mid Century, or Prairie, or Bungalow, etc. Likewise, you don't want a fixture that yells a particular style either. I agree though, a little larger, and not too ornate. Could you show us a closer photo of what you have?