Jen, You mention early on that you are interested in frameless cabinets because they allow a more efficient use of the space that you have. Later in a comment about Ikea you state you are leary of them because they are made of particle board (its true they are) So I don't see why you would even consider either of the two options offered by your local lumberyard, given that: 1) They are both a face frame style, not frameless, and 2) Despite what the represententive at the lumber yard seems to have been claiming, both cabinet line are constructed almost exclusively from particle board (going by the images and details they list on their websites). The tops, sides, bottoms, shelves, and toekicks are all particle board, (and for the most part 1/2" particle board) that is glued and stapled together. The only parts of the cabinets that is not particle board, is the face frame, the drawer boxes and the doors and drawer fronts. Of the two the Debut cabinets seem to have slightly superior construction (again going by the images and details they list on their websites) Although in looking at it, the two "manufacturers" are actully two lines manufactured by the same company, which explains why many of the details of the construction seem so similar. Also if you read this site alot you'll find that in base cabinets: drawers == good whereas doors with shelves behind them == bad. If you have a smallish kitchen this can make an enormous difference in the amount of usuable storage you have. Lastly don't take what I have said as an attack on particle board, (some of my best friends have particle board cabinets :-) Many people who post here point out that details of the construction and details of the material are far more important than whether a cabinet is particle board or not. The cheapest plywood will fall apart long before high quality particle board. Ikea cabinets are touted as very high-quality, well-built cabinets, the one big complaint about them is that many people don't like any of the limited number of door styles that they offer.

Yes, I probably won't cut my own soapstone counters, especially not when spouse is threatening to make me finish the bamboo doors. I like the wild rice and think it could work. Thanks again for pointing that one out to me. It is busier than the mesa, but from the full slab pictures I've been able to find I think not too much so. I ordered a sample and also of raven. Some colors like cemento which I thought I would love (forget manufacturer sorry) look purple in here because of all the yellow I suppose. Re granite, though I love the look and idea of stone counters, granite is often too busy. There is an IKEA sale right now and am planning to take advantage of it. Will have to order this week or next.

Thank you all so much. Please continue sharing! I'd like to hear more thoughts on cabinets, floors, and/or anything else you'd like to throw out there. You are starting to sway me to embrace the Parota. I had a different vision before of a very contemporary space - but struggled to see how it would integrate with the rest of the place. Started feeling major “project creep” coming on and thinking I’d need to redo the bathroom vanities and more. Parota is by far the easiest option and integrates well with the rest of the condo. If I do that, my two biggest decisions left are cabinet style and flooring. Stay with current design (solid wood)? Or flat slab style (cabinet grade plywood with Parota veneer)? Assuming Parota cabinets, any opinions on flooring type/color/layout? Porcelain and honed marble very popular in this area. My inclination would be with the busy wood grain to keep everything else cleaner/simpler/and on the lighter side --floors, counters and backsplash relatively close in color. Current floor is 20x20 ceramic tiles that are nearly white (they show everything). Contractor has suggested not going larger than 20x20 because I’d like the same tiles to extend from inside to the outside balcony and larger than that is difficult for drainage. Planning on stainless appliances, counters leaning towards Neolith (but considering Caesarstone and granite still an option), new paint, improved lighting, three 12-14” glass pendants over the 10’ x 44” island, and if it’s not too much would like to use SICIS glass mosaic tiles for the backsplash. New decor for living/dining area. (And agree with Auroras suggestion about the toe kick not being the floor tile!) These cryptic hand-drawn initial draft pics of set up probably doesn't help with the question, but just in case I'll attach. Thanks in advance for sharing your ideas.

My house is 21 years old (we are not the original owners) and has Brakur cabinets. I decided to have the planning desk replaced a couple of years ago with a cabinet of drawers and went to Brakur. I gave them a sample of one of the cabinet doors and I am shocked at how close the stain is on the new piece. You would never know that this drawer cabinets is 19 years newer than the rest of my kitchen. My house is a spec house and the builder did not put the cheap "builder grade" cabinets in. I am very happy with their work. Brakur does a lot of homes in the west/southwest suburbs. Their showroom is in Shorewood. http://brakur.com/