dreambuilder, I contacted All Wood Cabinetry through Costco in the fall for our bathroom vanities and storage cabinetry. We communicated via phone and email. I sent them a floor plan with the areas in question. Within 3-4 days, they sent me a design and quote. They strongly encouraged me to send for a sample door. Here's where I ran into a problem. I told the rep I was dealing with that I did not want to get a sample door until they could answer my question regarding what kind of wood they used for the cabinets. I had previously asked that question 3 times (two voice mail messages and one email) with no response. We already had a quote from a local home consultant center. We wanted hickory cabinets without any mdf. DH is building our laundry (maple) and kitchen (mahogany) cabinets and wants the quality of the other cabinets to be just as good as what he is building. We wanted to see if the quote we received from the Costco associated company (which was higher than the custom build from the home center) was comparable in construction and woods. Here was their reply: "For the door styles you requested, they are made from maple or a species of solid hardwood with characteristics that are similar to maple and will provide a consistent finish. "Maple is the primary species of wood; however we cannot guarantee that all of the wood used is maple. If maple is not available, a similar species of solid hardwood is used to ensure consistency in finish and durability. All of our cabinets are put through the rigorous testing by the KCMA standards and are KCMA Certified. We stand behind our quality which is why we offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all products." We decided to go with the local home consultants with local cabinet makers. I haven't regretted that decision. Mainly because the rep has been to our house several times to measure and sent us several revisions to our plans when framing changed the size of cabinetry. And, if there are any problems with delivery or the cabinetry we will be dealing with a local person. For us, that was worth it. Plus, it ended up being cheaper for better quality cabinets!

I'm doing natural cherry shaker/mission style paired with VGDF trim/casing. I also have oak floors (though I may be replacing some of those with cork.) I guess, strictly speaking, there's also the maple on the interiors of the cabinets. My feeling (and the design input I've gotten from design friends) is that you can mix different species as long as they're fairly different. What doesn't look so great is two finishes that are similar but not quite the same. That has a tendancy to look like you've tried to match but could quite get it right. For what it's worth, three species (oak, cherry, fir) is my limit but things like the Gamble house use a lot more than that (but, then, it's a damn big house and they only used a few species in each room.)

Catalytic is a pollution control on your car. Catalyzed conversion varnish is what cabinets are coated with. Post catalyzed for the most part, in the major shops. It has the catalyst, or hardener, added just before spraying, and has a relatively short shelf life as a result. The small shops sometimes will use pre catalyzed, which comes that way and has a much longer open time. And doesn’t cure as well or as hard. In the same exact level of sheen, you would not be able to visually tell the difference between a conventional water borne enamel, or an oil modified waterborne enamel, or a post catalyzed conversion varnish. Sprayed under identical circumstances, in the same gloss levels, the finishes will be identical. But they will wear differently. Which is why I suggested that you obtain a door that is coated in the exact process and color that you prefer. Nothing beats hands on testing to know if you have any expectations sbout wear that it can not meet. It lets you know if those expectations need to be greatly adjusted, or if only slightly modified. Or if it fulfills all that you hope for. Most major brands undergone testing of that sort. It is what earns them the KCMA seal. Any local custom product should at least fulfill the bare minimum of these tests that even some very low cost products pass. https://www.kcma.org/certifications/ansi-kcma-certification  If you think you are dealing with a great crafted product, there is no harm testing it to be certain of your beliefs. It makes not equal the catalyze finish, but you may find that is still “good enough” for the project at hand. And, you will be fully informed of the actual weaknesses, and can take steps to counteract those. Like, no mustard in squeeze bottles to explode when you try to unstop it. Etc.

Fake and real is a terrible combo. Just because others have made those big mistakes doesn’t not make them mistakes. If you insist on tile over wood that matches the rest of the house, then look at a natural slate in a charcoal color. Or possibly a gauged quartzite in a subtle versailles pattern. Or a plain large format porcelain that isn’t an obvious stone fake. Maybe something that echoes a subtle stained concrete.