It is a great question for all hardwood flooring potential buyers. You are not alone as many other homeowners cross the country. The wood flooring market has totally evolved into a confusing home improvement sector for home owners in the past 5 years. There are too many new products on the market to choose from, especially for engineered wood floors. Keep in mind there are no cheaper way to make quality floorings. So you still mostly get what you paid for in general rule. If you are willing to pay $2 to 3 more per sqft, go with top brands like Mirage or Lauzon, etc. It is hard to go wrong. If you try to save that $2 to 3 per sqft, you can do it. But you would have to research more, order samples and make calls to some businesses who brought in their wood floorings directly from mills around the world. They usually know this business well and serve the market with their niche quality products at reasonable price. Please feel free to ask more particular questions. I will be happy to share my personal experiences from talking to customers on our showroom floor.

I think dark stained doors and white/light painted trim is a great classic look. Provided that the stain and the paint are a good combination. It kind of carries through the look of stained stair handrails and painted balusters. Your contractor can go take a flying leap. Casey

Lilymila, I have just received my quote from Dixieline so I have a good idea what I am working with price wise. When we put our budget down on paper we figured about $11,000-$12,000 not including hardware. I just got of the phone with Home Depot and they made a mistake with the input of my ceiling height and quoted shorter cabinets. They have to rework the quote and he said it will go up in price. It was already $12000, so if that goes up it's out. For the most part the designs are all the same ie:White Shaker Style,drawers, doors, crown molding, end panels etc. From Lowes for Kraftmaid: $12,227 Shenandoah: I don't have the exact but it is around $10,000 Showroom I only have the quote on the Bellmont 1600 line: $10,755 Dixieline quote includes (except for the Bellmont Line) a the decorative hood: Dynasty by Omega $15223 (the highest so far) Diamond:Montgomery Shaker Door (Veneer center) $11,752 Sumner Shaker Door (solid wood) $13,381 Belmont 1900 line: $12,878 Belmont 1600 line: $9214 I don't know how to breakdown what I am getting but for the most part and each quote has different details but basically here is the breakdown from the mock up design: Fridge Wall Cabinet above fridge 2 doors, fridge side panel, microwave cabinet with 2 doors above, 1 large upper cabinet. Two lower cabinet drawers with 2 doors beneath, 3 large drawers maybe 30". Range wall: 5 upper cabinets with either cabinets to attach range hood or with the Dixieline a decorative wood panel for range hood Lower has 3 large drawers, either 3 narrow drawers or spice roll out, and then a blind corner cabinet with pull out baskets Sink/dishwasher side: Farmhouse sink base, Upper cabinet with 2 doors, lower bank of drawers with either 3 or 4 drawers. Island: Double trash pull out, and either bank of drawers or 2 doors with drawer.. Each added details here and there but for the most part they are close. One thing that I like is the Dixieline quote on Diamond which include the matching hood. I would still have to see the price of the hood insert which could change the price drastically. The Dynasty is obviously out of the range. So now it is a matter of choosing between the others. Right now, I am interested in exploring the Diamond and the Shenandoah lines both of which I hardly looked at. I also want to look more at the 1900 line. I was just thinking I am not sure if the Dixieline quote includes tax or not. They are closed tomorrow, so I will have to wait till Monday to ask. I know the showroom one does. Thoughts on the Diamond, and Shenandoah? Thanks again!

Sometimes my 'Li' doesn't get very brown and sometimes it does, it might be due to weather. I would add that I bought my tree from a nursery that has a very large tree that is obviously much older than my tree. His tree has very flavorful fruit whereas mine is kind of mild so maybe the fruit flavor changes for the better as the trees mature.