We are going to be building a new home soon (hopefully) and I often thought of the same worries you have. We are doing raised 2 panel doors (though I often thought I should do recessed instead) but for the cabinets in the entire house we are doing white shaker (some white beadboard shaker). I have such a huge inspirational gallery of photos and I have seen many people mix and match so I finally okayed myself to do this. I really wanted to do recessed interior doors to match the shaker style cabinets but my lumber yard can readily get the 2 panel raised at a better price so I just stopped double quessing myself. I love shaker kitchen cabinets and also like raised panel but I think the raised panel looks better in a more classy modern style home. For those of us trying to achieve an older vintage antique style shaker is the way to go! Please post when you have decided and show us pics!

Ditto Fori verbatim on the cabinet decision! I can barely see the difference between them, and if one will save you $800, go with that one. My kitchen has a 45-degree angled wall just like yours does, and I have frameless cabinets as well. In the entire kitchen, I only have fillers in the corners of the 45-degree angle space, and by the dishwasher drawers because we needed to fill up that space. The fillers by the 45-degree angle are about 2-3". Part of that is because they needed to be sure the drawers/cabinet would clear eachother, and part is because our cabinets were not custom and we had to conform to the 3" increment restraint. The fillers were no bigger than what we would have needed if we chose framed cabinets with full overlay doors. Far and away, we gained MUCH more space by using frameless cabinets than we lost to fillers- especially because almost all of our base cabinets are drawers.

bbstyx, Thank you for asking this Q- I've been pondering the same thing, too. I would go along with those who say that while both are classic, the shaker is a less formal style. I, personally, don't think they are too simple - (for instance I also happen to love the ultra contemporary flat slab look) - I think I worry more about ending up a little too country or rustic for my taste. And yet some of the most beautiful kitchens I've seen here are in this style - I think it's been growing on me! Also, though I can see the point of those who worry the painted Shaker/cup pull/ subway tile look could ultimately be seen as trendy - it's easy enough to replace hardware, backsplashes etc. to update, and white cabinets look pretty timeless, IMO. Also, I think you are right when you say that the arched top on the raised panels in your friend's house is what gave a more dated look to your eye - square raised panel would be my choice, too. Other things to consider - the treatment of the drawers. You can do them in raised panel, too or keep them simple . I've also seen curved, which to me is a more traditional look. Hardware, ie pulls and or knobs will make a big difference, too. Another thing I think about in conjunction with these two options is ceiling height. Either look, for example, would be great in a space with high ceilings. I'm still not sure the raised panel (which you commonly see done with lots of up and downs) would look as dramatic or great with my 8 foot ceilings, though! As other people have noted, overlay, partial overlay, inset makes a difference, too. I'm either doing full overlay or inset. If inset, I'm also considering doing concealed hinges for a more transitional (to me) look. I even saw a great kitchen in a showroom with inset uppers and full overlay lower cabinets - it looked great!

What did you do? (Warning: Novel coming:) I am here to tell you that antique pocket door hardware is perfect, but 50s through early 90s hardware is AWFUL. Who ever thought a J channel would hold a door that gets a lot of use was an idiot. But not as big an idiot as anyone who installed it and walked away. It is ALL in the installation. I've put in 15 pocket doors using the Johnson Hardware's extruded tracks, with their 3-wheel system. No matter what the weight, I always use 3 rollers. Not only can I, a self-taught, dangerous DIYer, do it, but it's well balanced and beautiful. You don't need those giant pocket door kits, either. A 2x6 base plate, then 2x4s turned sideways down either side of the 2x6 makes the channel. The hardware goes on the top, add wheels, bumpers, trim and DONE. DONE I SAY! Your hardware fears are only valid if the same installation you're experiencing is used again, or the installation is too quick or faulty. I don't know what I'd do without the 9 extra square feet in my rooms. I've even used antique French doors (perfect for your dining room!?) in 3 of them. In the other doors, I'm using antique, horizontal 6-panel doors (harder to find than the 5-panel and cooler doors, I think) which are solid and beautiful. More interesting than any slab door. The only other tip I would suggest is to make certain they're exterior thickness, which is at least 1.75" thick. Interior doors these days are usually 1 3/8" thick and rather flimsy for a pocket. Today I'm installing the trim on the last of the French doors I'm using. It's an antique (i.e. also reclaimed) and just beautiful. Great sight line from the window in the mudroom, into the kitchen. Gives me more light than my dark kitchen than I'd had before. As you can see, I can't rave enough about my pockets. Don't let some contractor tell you they're too difficult or more expensive. Show them this DIYer's post and I'll help their pro-butts out. Remember, if this (nitwit) chick can do it, a pro should do it with their hammer tied behind their back.