I was just looking in to Connor Homes and found these comments helpful. I have been disappointed that after several attempts to reach them I have not received any return phone calls or emails. I'm in New Hampshire and kept trying to find out more information when I stumbled on only TWO local articles stating that Connor Homes just laid off their entire workforce. One article was published by a local Vermont newspaper on January 3, 2017 and the other on January 4,2017. Connor Homes Lays off workforce - Jan 4, 2017 the other article is longer and states the entire workforce is furloughed for the entire month while they re-group; Connor Homes furloughs entire workforce to "regroup financially" - For me I plan to stay away. I was wondering why their process timeline was 11-12 months which is as long or longer than stick built. Now I know why and for anyone looking at them note that I had to really dig to find these local Vermont articles about the layoff of the entire company, not a good sign.

Wow, thanks for all the responses! The photos are especially helpful. I'd say the variation in my cabinets is more dramatic and "wrong looking" than anything you guys have shown me(sorry, never got around to taking any photos this weekend - DS was sick and he pretty much kept me busy). You have provided great reinforcement that I should stand my ground. Heard from GC this morning that they are working with the supplier and hope to have everything resolved by the end of this week. Hopefully we'll fix it fairly quickly and amicably. Thanks again for all the wonderful and very helpful advice and support! I'll keep you posted.

Thanks, Lavender! Regarding my backsplash, I have been thinking grayish blue since there are light blue flecks and bits in the granite. There is also a bluish green glass I've been eyeing. Now I have a bathroom that needs tile too so I'm stuck trying to get tile and prep for both rooms worked out. Regarding your wood choice, this is something I thought about a lot before starting. You may want to also post over on the woodworking board. I also found other woodworking boards that had good info. Also ask about how much darkening you can expect with the different wood species you are considering. I think(?) your inspiration pix could be pine? Some of the photos on my prior link are darker than others in the same kitchen--lighting is everything. I think it's really difficult to capture the color of a wood precisely on camera--almost as hard as getting a good shot of one's granite. Note that the very last picture you like in my prior link, that was actually a painted wood cabinet. I think the sheen of the paint looked brighter than the wood does. Something to think about. I did look at a lot of wood, and you really have to see it in person. Also, you have to see it as it will be finished. When you get to some finalists, with smaller contractors you may need to buy a door or drawer front sample if they don't have the one you want in their collection. Given that you like really light--it seems to me that fir, maple, select maple, white oak, regular birch would be your top contenders. There is also bamboo but it is used in modern applications, and not at all like your inspiration. Beech is in your color range, and is very popular in Europe. I didn't really like it as well natural, but this is all personal taste. (Many people love beech.) And while people often stain alder dark to mimic cherry, it is actually a moderate to light colored wood naturally. Perhaps on the edge of too dark for you but still in the light to moderate range are red birch and quartersawn oak. Quartersawn oak was not in my budget but it is so very pretty. I tried to find more pix of a couple of my favorite lighter wood cabs lately--presumably you have seen Rhome's so I did not pull hers up. Check out the full post of Farmgirlinky's vertical fir kitchen: Farmgirlinky's Kitchen Best photo of Sparklekitty's red birch cabs on this site: Wood kitchens with Red birch Drawerbank closeup pic The Finished Kitchens blog has categories where you can look at different wood species. Here is one in white oak: >White Oak Kitchen by SW in Austin HTH Here is a link that might be useful: Natural Quartersawn Oak, Random Google Image

Jakuval here- first- my mantra-who you buy from is more important than what brand you buy. Second- I've carried SWP for 5 years, only brand I have at that price (all but one are more) I have not sold much SWP in the last year. That has nothing to do with them, just customer choices and pricing. I happen to have a regional brand of a slightly nicer cabinet that prices exceptionally well and many have opted to move up to that. (particularly when comparing to SWP's veneer interior option) I have seen a few posts on this forum in the last two years indicating what may be some growing pains (one was not getting satisfaction from KD and I forwarded post to my rep to send to HQ, was resolved next day) As they have grown I have run into small issues with tech support. Nothing more than new trainees not quite as astute. It simply means I have to pay attention, something I do anyway. As I re-read this it sounds a bit like a sales pitch. I did not intend that so apologize if any are offended. This is my experience, no more no less and I was mentioned. We are a small dealer so have not done hundreds of kitchens in any brand we carry (though I have over the years done a couple of thousand) My experience with companies at this price point and size is that there can always be occasional issues and that things can change in a short period of time (particularly during expansions) Point is take anything anyone says about any brand with a grain of salt. Overall-consistency of construction has been good to excellent, failure rate-zero, delivered damaged-rare, on time delivery-100%, design flexibility super,CS is very good, responsiveness-couldn't ask for more. Paints Over the last 5 yrs I've done quite a few SWP paints with zero issues. I think they have one of the best paint finishes at the price out there, comparable to higher end brands and have used them in secondary rooms in homes where we were doing much more expensive brands. I especially like the matte finish option, rare at the price point and NC. I don't like the standard (free) glaze on paint, I do like (as do many clients) the brushed and vintage paints, well done for the price point but not free. I am most often doing paint on "Paint Grade" instead of Maple but you want to understand the details of those choices. Talk with KD. Washes and consistency Since this came up I'll address this first- Showplace grey washes are not simple stains and specifically noted to have more variation. They have a standard "Finish Advisory" form the dealer is supposed to have you read and sign. NOTE that there is a bit of contradiction between what SWP has on it's website re washes and what the spec book says. IRL the spec book is accurate. I have run into issues with edges not being properly covered. It was taken care of by SWP for me. Stains To date my experience has been very good- wood grading above average for the price, consistency of color overall better than most AT THE PRICE. There are a few stains on maple that I avoid completely, not unusual for any brand. Construction I have no issue with the material used for the 1/2" ply upgrade (quite the contrary) but think it best when clients are aware of all details prior to purchase. Shelf clips- this has been a thorn in my side and they are aware of my feelings on these. They did look into changing them a couple of years ago- didn't happen. SOP I order a bag of clips with every job. Those are the ones with a metal post and plastic shelf section (they supply them standard for glass cabinets) Then I break the existing shelf clips and replace. I have not run into an issue with drawer bottoms deflecting excessively as noted elsewhere. I will try to find out if the material has changed but note that 1/4" drawer bottoms is so common as to be SOP at even higher price points. I do get heavy duty drawers for pots and pans etc, an optional extra expense. My only other complaint has been with the backs of the cabinets. It's not that they are inadequate, just that to me they should be a bit (just a little) better selected material. . Frameless- SWP is bringing out a frameless line next month. They built a new facility to do that (expansion) I have only seen the specs not actual product yet. My rep is stopping by in a couple of weeks so I have nothing to say until I see for myself. While I am reserving judgment, going in, on paper, I'm not crazy about the drawer box spec.