romy718, Yes, sister's concern is about the durability or upkeep of a wood top. I live alone and really don't have much company, so I'm not worried about that. I really haven't decided on perimeter counter tops yet. I doing one thing at a time. Anytime I've planned anything to the smallest detail it usually doesn't work for me. So I start with one piece and add to it. I really don't have anything on my must have list for the kitchen. What is your ceiling height in your kitchen? Majra, thanks for your advice. I have an idea for my floors, but not the exact shade except it's going to be on the darker side. Currently the kitchen has a wood floor and my entry which is directly opposite the kitchen has a tile floor. I'm going to do hardwood in both this time. I'm also re staining my oak staircase and changing out the handrail and balusters in an antique nickel to something similar to the attached picture.

I cannot address how Brookhaven compares with custom, but I have a Kitchen with Woodmode (stain finish) and Butler's Pantry (stain finish) and Laundry (painted) with Brookhaven. The Woodmode is inset, and Brookhaven is overlay. We had a number of issues with the dealer and his installer. Our project was a nightmare as a result. Do not assume that because a dealer carries a great product like Woodmode/Brookhaven, that they will be good at what they are supposed to do. And Woodmode's lead-time for replacement parts can be a real schedule-breaker. I am in the process of planning for another kitchen remodel (the Woodmode/Brookhaven is in our second home), and will be going with custom cabinets this time. The main reasons for deciding not to use Woodmode/Brookhaven this time around are cost and lead-time for replacement parts. I have to say, that even though Woodmode/Brookhaven cabinets are very, very nice cabinets, I do not think they are worth what they cost. The cost is staggering! My kitchen is very high-end. We spend a fortune on many custom items, such as a custom-carved french limestone range hood, custom hand-made forged lighting fixtures etc. No expense was spared. I have to say, that for all these items, I feel as if I got good value for the price. Not so for the cabinets. Don't get me wrong, they are great cabinets--just that they stand-out in a kitchen where everything is "over-the-top" as having a cost that is ridiculously out of line. I recently decided to add an smallish amoire-type cabinet in my laundry room to store brooms. This little Brookhaven gem--despite the fact that they were having a "sale," cost about $2,300. To store brooms. In my laundry room. Galling, no? But I chose Brookhaven, so if I want it to match... I have several friends who have done kitchens recently, and what I spent on cabinets easily is four times or more what any of them spent. Some of those friends used custom cabinets that seem as nice, if not nicer (especially when considering the ability to custom fit, or do any door style) than Brookhaven. Perhaps some are not as nice, but not significantly so, and the cost difference is huge. One thing to consider in terms of the durability of finish is how long you will be in the house--or how long until the next remodel. If it is a long time, a factory finish is almost always more durable than a custom. But the custom might be easier to retouch too. Funny, when I was ordering my Brookhaven, the dealer had a display that was finished by a local finishing specialist, because the finish they wanted was not available from Brookhaven! Not sure where you are located, but in the Pacific Northwest there is a company called Morgans Fine Finishes, and they specialize in cabinet finishing. They actually finish cabinets in their shop, and then you install, so you get some of the benefits of a factory finish, but the ability to customize. Guess it all depends on your priorities. There are some nice custom cabinets out there, but if Brookhaven offers the color and door style you want, they are great cabinets, just very, very expensive!

Lynn2006, I can't seem to post pictures here (uploaded to Photobucket but can't get them to show up in a message). I'll keep trying. Some pictures are actually on the Barker website, under 'Before and After' - these are my pictures but the color toning isn't great. They're alder cabinets with a stain we applied to make them slightly reddish (trying to match our douglas fir doors and windows, and it is quite a good match). These pictures include a deep drawer that easily holds a heavy load of glass jars with grains. Ours are holding up just fine, but Barker has since upgraded to an even heavier-duty Blum drawer slide. The drawers came unfinished, and I finished them with Osmo (also what we used for the cabinet doors). Even though alder is a relatively soft wood, ours are showing no particular wear in our house of two teens, dog and cats.

@HU-827858513 These are the standard, Colourtone, whites currently available at Conestoga. Let us know if you would like a Sample! Antique White closely matches Sherwin Williams SW7010 White Duck Arctic White closely matches Sherwin Williams SW7006 Extra White Crystal White closely matches Sherwin Williams SW7002 Downy White Designer White closely matches Sherwin Williams SW7007 Ceiling Bright White Frosty White closely matches Sherwin Williams SW7005 Pure White