Hello! So we're working on a kitchen remodel...I think. We never
really had a kitchen there so its not exactly a remodel. However, we do
have some disgustingly old cabinets my husband brought home from a off
site tear down that we are using. As well as some cabinet uppers that
used to belong to my brother in law. So we never had a "real" kitchen in
place here. We also have an issue in this area that I think has been
solved, but not sure how to accomplish it exactly.

In saying that, I have various issues I may need deal with.

1)
Our concrete has cracks in it. Would I need to fill this in before
adding my kitchen floor? Can I not just put down black paper or the
backer flooring then the floor and it would be ok? Photo below

2) We have a
down draft vent pipe (pvc) that will vent our stove top on the Island.
When the plumbers put it in they didnt go past the batter boards, so
when the concrete was put in, the pipes were covered. Any ideas on what I
can do to fix this? I thought we might need to send something down into
the pipe to drill through or make noise in so we can pin point where
it goes out at.

3) We have a steal beam that protrudes the wall
in the kitchen corner right where the cabinets will be. The beams in the
other parts of our house are covered. Would it be best to just box in
this beam from the ceiling down to the base cabinets or cover it like
the rest of the house? Should this be done now or after receiving our
cabinets? This beam starts on the wall about 29 1/2" up from the floor.
Do you recommend a corner cabinet (which will result in cabinet
modification) or would it be best to do a blind cabinet here? Here is an
example of what it would look like boxed in w/cabinets when finished.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/472315079662036490/

4) I dont want
our cabinets to be like everyone elses and go w/the standard oak looking
cabinets or even cherry. I am considering doing white shaker cabinets.
I am concerned with it getting dirty too easily. Im also looking at a
lighter or even a medium gray. I am also either considering doing a
darker gray island or leaving it white and painting it a different color
(maybe a really dark blue). My issue is not only w/the white possibly
being hard to clean, but if I do go w/a darker or even medium color
cabinet, Im not sure what color to do the walls. I could probably figure
out the back splash, flooring and cabinet top. But when I think about
doing something other than white Im thrown off by what color to paint
the walls or what color the flooring should be. I had planned on a
lighter grayish color for the walls. Any ideas?

5) How do guys
feel about purchasing RTA cabinets? Ive seen a few home shows that have
used them as thats how I got the idea and they looked really good. They
are cheaper than assembled too. Plus w/all the articles and photos Ive
seen, Ive learned you should really eliminate unnecessary features to
keep the price even lower. So Im looking towards this option.

Thanks!Tina