Hi, We received our kitchen and bathroom cabinets from them in late December. I installed them all in a couple days with help from my dad (we still have the drawer fronts to install because we were waiting to finish the electrical). In a nutshell, in our four room remodel, this has been the easiest component. We purchased red birch with solid maple ply boxes for the kitchen and select maple for the bathroom. We had the matte clear coat applied. The hardwood selection is really nice-- not that it is critical for you, however. But they do a very nice job matching the grain. The boxes went together smoothly. I would say that their instructions are good, but not great. It is a bunch of loose papers. If your remodel is like ours, it is hard to keep the papers together. A three ring binder or spiral binder would have helped. Also they include some directions, such as how to install the leg levers, but don't tell you how to align the leg levers. I think my dad and chewed on that for 10 or 15 minutes before it was clear. The doors are really well made-- ours have solid wood inserts and are dead flat (no warping). The hardware they use is top notch (e.g., Blum glides and hinges) and installing and adjusting doors was a snap. We also found it easy to work with Scherrs. I spend all day on the computer and so emailing Leon was very efficient and it was helpful to have it all in writing. Our design included a very unusual custom piece. Once Leon figured out what we wanted, they were able to make it without a hitch. Gotta run, but happy to answer more questions. I would have no reservations with recommending them.

If you're planning on only being there only 5 more years, I would definately just paint the cabinets. Refacing cabinets and replacing doors can cost almost as much as replacing the whole set of cabinets. The cabinet doors are definately a traditional style, so what I'd suggest you do is paint them an off white, and maybe add a touch of glaze to them so they aren't stark white. I would also fill the handle holes and put new hardware in a more traditional place on the doors. If you paint the walls with something other than a neutral light color, say a pretty soft green or yellow, those cabinets will POP! A good way to save some money too is to just spray paint the hindges to match your new hardware. People do it all the time and no one will know the wiser. I know you said you aren't planning on replacing the counters, but laminate counters are not expensive, I'd strongly recommend using some of the money you've saved on the cabinets to change out the counters to something with color. Faux granite, soapstone or something. Then you can do the backsplash in a traditional subway, and I think the kitchen would look really sharp!

Yes, I'm concerned about the face frames that are already covered in one layer of refacing. Was wondering if they just get covered over with another layer or if the first layer has to come off. It just seems like a second layer would make for a very thick cabinet. They do seem sound. I believe it was done professionally, so well that I didn't realize at first that they had been refaced. This is not something I would tackle myself, but just trying to educate myself before I call a contractor who might promise results that can't be achieved. Thank you for the link.

you're doing a lot of changes comparatively speaking of course..you plan to change some cabinetry and work with new color..you plan to choose new countertop, new backsplash i don't know about costs but I feel starting new will be easier..refacing plus creating new pieces sounds expensive. Countertops, backsplash-all that is disruption and money. If you wanted just to paint would be different story. It can be done of course..purchasing new pieces and all..it just won't be less headache. Or so I think. Can you leave the island as is? The cabinet part? That'd save a lot. as for priorites-right question. say was it me-I wouldn't even touch the kitchen (but I'm obviously less of a cook than you..so that matters too). I'd style it pretty and paint walls a different color and go to Kauai..and buy there an art in Hanapepe..:) But I think it seriosly bugs you probably if you consulted three different pros so choose the option that will allow you for the least headache, with most satisfaction in the end. "Headache" can be money or time or ..you know yourself. Yes, kitchens are usually popular on Craigslist, so selling is definitely an option. BTW granite is too. People buy everything.