Sorry you did not like my tone. I get passionate sometimes. I re read the post and see why you would be a little offended. That said, the guy you met who you were led to believe was a custom guy is "a shade tree cabinet maker to me" A shade tree mechanic has talent but is cheaper because he does not have all the equipment a normal car repair shop does. They have their place in society for sure but cabinets are not that easy or we all would make our own. I hope the family owned store works out for you. The right place like that can get you a good price on your cabinets. Go to more than one. Different cabinet companies charge different prices for their cabinets and then the stores mark them up differently. For example if you want a great price on your cabinets and want to chose the benjamin moore color if you go away from inset look at Brandom cabinets (which is running 16 hours a day 5 days a week which is rare today by cabinet companies) from texas or Door components from Alabama. Both companies will custom make things needed and you can use the modular sizes where it is ok. Bridgewood with their "Advantage" series which is their most popular door styles and colors is one the best large custom companies that small stores sel that are kraftmaid like prices You can also get anything from their custom division and of course they will do custom colors. When some one wants custom I start with them usually. They have true distressing options and all cabinets can be modified in height width or depth with the lowest cost I have ever seen as a store owner. NAC North American Cabinets in Canada actually (go figure) is a good company that will do inset I have not honestly priced them yet to see where they come in. the book is huge and I will be doing it next week. 6 square cabinets has 2 door styles in one color white only which is a really good off white color they have great prices to the dealers. It is a product made in china and assembled in the mid west. They are the only ones in the import bracket that offer lifetime warranty they do not tell you it is made in china. They make any items they are missing in their facility so they never have back orders like many imports do. Kabinart does not offer custom colors and they have limited white colors which is hit or miss the white fanatics of the world! I do not mean that in a bad way. They are a very low priced cabinet line that is very good and has a good selection of products to chose from. Wellborn Forrest is another extremly affordable product. As well they are on my hit list to acquire as a supplier of mine in the coming weeks Mid Continet is a good company at great prices if the retail store keeps their prices low. If you want to go as low as it gets check out wwww.Fabuwood.com they do not sell direct but I think their white in the wellington doors style is every bit as beautiful as the benjamin moore pictures I see on here. Riverruncabinetry.com sells an excellent linen white cabinet also it is called hampton linen the pictures are beautiful Another post on here after my first comments mentioned they had used a custom company to make soem pieces they could not get from kraftmaid and the finish is not as durable that is very common from smaller work out of their house type custom guys. I would not go down that route personaly. I know many on here love their cabinets made by a local shade tree cabinet maker it is hit or miss with them. Particularly down the road. If you want a top end cabinet that is custom as it gets then check out Old River cabinets in Richmond VA they make some of the best stuff out there. I have bought hoods from them and other items I could not get with chinese cabines when my customers have no where to go budget wise they custom match any paint any stain in any door style. Send them your sample and they will duplicate it and you will not be able to tell which is the original. Retail stores hate them because they will stab them in the back if they know who their customer is they sell directly to the public and try to get sales from retail stores as a supplier. It is best to buy from them direct. They blow Kraftmaid prices out of the water (meaning lower)and as custom as it gets. If you are on the east coast check them out if you want good stuff at Kraftmaid prices. Some day measure the drawer width of a inset cabinet and a framed cabinet and you will see why my reaction was as it is stated when I read you wanted custom to maximize useable space those to things are not compatible if you think about it. Best of luck to you

You say you still are not sure you understand the differences between panel-ready and fully-integrated fridges. Please look at the photos on this thread of the fridges. A panel-ready fridge simply tacks the panels onto the fridge, and the fridge's trim, hinges, venting, and water dispenser (if you choose one) will show. Also, as Joe Henderson pointed out above, panel-ready fridges usually have black sides, so you have to be sure your cabinetry will cover the sides. A panel-ready fridge cannot be completely flush with the cabinetry, because the hinges are on the outside of the fridge, and there have to be a couple inches sticking out from the cabinetry so that the doors can open. As I mentioned, I do not understand the purpose of spending money to panel this type of fridge. IMO, it looks nicer just to have the fridge be a fridge. Alternatively, a fully-integrated fridge means the fridge disappears entirely into the cabinetry. No hinges, trim, or venting show. The fridge is totally flush with the cabinetry, and the hinges are hidden. With a fully-integrated fridge, usually the homeowner installs the same handles as the rest of the cabinetry (just bigger - cabinet hardware companies sell fridge handles exactly for this purpose). When a fully-integrated fridge doors are closed, it is hard to spot where the fridge is in the kitchen.

Hello, I am building an apartment (will be the second part of a 2 family) and I'm in the process of buying new kitchen appliances. Here is what I have for ideas: Gas cooktop: GE Monogram 36" Wall oven/microwave: GE Monogram Advantium 30" French door wall over: GE Monogram or Cafe Refrigerator: Frigidaire Professional standard depth Dishwasher: Not sure, possibly Bosch (want to find pro handles like other apps) Trash compactor: Not sure, possible Kitchen Aid (to keep pro handle look) Hood: Not sure. I'm also considering the Thermador gas cooktop and the Bosch wall ovens but then I would have to re-think the other appliances to keep the handles all similar. Does anyone have any experience with any of the above items or any suggestions? I'm overwhelmed with all the different brands and options! I am single but spend a lot of time cooking/baking/hosting so I spend a good amount of time in the kitchen. I want reliable appliances but I don't want to overspend when it's not necessary. My budget is around $12,000, but hoping to spend less. I'm definitely going with a gas cooktop and don't really want the microwave over that as a vent/hood. Thanks for reading this and any input is appreciated!

I'll be the first and probably not ht last to suggest you consider a Blue Star range instead of a Jenn Air. Google Gardenweb Appliances and Blue Star to see what people have to say about this range. Do the same for any other brand of appliances you are considering. The posters on this board share a wealth of information here. If I were looking for a new suite of appliances I would consider Miele or Bosch for the D/W (I have Miele and am very pleased.) When you say micro/oven combo, if you mean a speed oven, I would go with GE Advantium or Miele (I don't have this appliance- many people here do and have lots of good things to say about them). I am a big Miele refrigerator fan, though I am not sure they make a French door. Thermador and SZ make that configuration. I think you could save some money and get the Thermador on that purchase, people seem to be very happy with them. Also, don't forget you will need an extractor hood and MUA for your range. I hope you enjoy the process of planning your new kitchen. It is an exciting project.