Wow so many with the same situation, although mine is not because of him losing a job in this economy. I always seemed to find the really nice guys that lacked motivation - I married two of them. My first husband was in finance, and figured that he could work fewer hours and manage to make enough. I was working and had two young children and he did not think that his free time was for housework or watching the kids even when I went to the gym - I had to get a sitter so that he would not have to commit to being home. No matter how much counseling or discussion between us could make him see how it felt to have him sitting on the front porch reading the paper while I was going crazy in the house getting lunches ready and the kids and me out of the house every morning. The neighbors even noticed! I felt if I was going to live like a single parent, I might as well be able to date, so I divorced him. And then I did the same thing again! What the heck was wrong with me?? When I met my second husband, he had a job, but all of his jobs were not long-term or careers -- he was also an under-employed carpenter. He was an awesome person, and a great step-father to my kids, but the housework was not even on his radar. However, with his more "flexible schedule", he was the one that could get a sick kid at school or be home if needed, so he was a bit of a house husband and that allowed me to concentrate on my job. But once the kids were off at college, I joked that he was my oldest child, but it really wasn't a joke. Unfortunately he died suddenly a little over a year ago, and although I miss him terribly, I am not going to make the same mistake again. I'm fortunate that I can support myself as I've been doing it for years anyway. If there is a next guy he will have to be at least where I am financially (which is not much!) and be interested in a true partnership. We all have to put up with stupid bosses and policies, but how can these men think it's OK to put their pride before their employment because they won't tolerate whatever they don't agree with? You can't be an employee and do things any way you want - we all have to suck it up for a job. If these guys didn't have a wife, I wonder what would they do? Please understand, I'm not knocking your hubbies - especially after the men I married! Many of you seem to be adapting to the new normal in your households. What makes it work is a sense of teamwork between the two of you, each doing what needs to be done. A wife can't be the breadwinner and then come home to housework & cooking while the husband plays - that situation won't last long without resentment.

I think mine's a 48" SxS KA built-in. It works fine with our only issue being the icemaker as well. Ice tends to freeze up along one side until the icemaker thinks it's full. It's not a big deal for me to reach in and break up the ice periodically - takes less than 30s every couple weeks. We did have a problem with the icemaker that was fixed under warranty. I was chatting with the technician when he was working on it, and he said all the manufacturers buy their icemaker from the same source (GE I think). Based on that, I have no great expectation that one brand's icemaker would be much better than another, but take that as hearsay. Other than that it works fine. As the guy at the appliance store said when I was contemplating subzero vs KA: "they all keep the beer cold".

I discovered this rating chart years ago, and see that it has been updated over time to add other manufacturers. I don't see the two that you mention listed, but it's a good link to bookmark. Here is a link that might be useful: List of most Major Leather Brands and where they rank as far as quality in the industry.

I would say, absolutely go for it! I kept most of my existing cabs and had them refaced (new doors and stain). Since it was a matter of staining and needing a new section of cabs built, I had a local cabinet maker do it all. But, in a painting situation, it would be so much easier. I have read many good things about Scherr's and don't think you could go wrong with that one plan of yours. Call them up so you can be advised as to the best hinges and bore holes for the doors so ordering the doors and hanging them will go smoothly. They will make the holes for you. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do!