I have found it difficult to compare brands and prices. Some companies do not have very detailed construction info on their websites. Also, cabinet shops are slow to get you a price and its a very time consuming process. I also have found that your decision regarding cabinet door style, glazed or unglazed, maple vs. cherry, etc. have a large impact on the price. I learned corbels can be $500 each (my designer had 6 in my plan). You need to watch what is on the design because the KD's won't give you a detailed list of what's included or how much each individual component costs. When comparing prices, be sure to include the accessories you want and the delivery charges so you can compare a bottom line price. If I was to start over, I would hire a KD to draw a good plan - or do it myself with input from GW- and shop that exact layout to various shops. Otherwise, you spend time at each shop going over layout details and small variations make it difficult to compare apples to apples. My best bang for the buck price was Jim Bishop cabinets. Also, there have been several recent threads about cabinet brands. See: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0912254112656.html?13 and http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0915500123556.html?18 and http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg091333033070.html?25

Love your light fixture and the new chair covering. I would leave your cabinets the color they are; they have a certain presence I like, unless you feel they clash horribly with the floor. Call me crazy but I would paint your table and chairs Fort York Red, which will make them stand out from the grayish floor and yet look good with the dark cabinets. I'm sure others will have completely different ideas, but at least you'll have food for thought.

I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who responded, especially live_wire_oak and millworkman. I took both of your advice. I hired a color consultant, per Live_Wire_Oak suggested. The consultant came up with colors for throughout the house, including a lovely creamy white for the majority of the house. Once the walls were painted, we realized that the backsplash needed to change (as Millworkman suggested). Chose a beautiful blue glass subway tile which brought out the blue in the granite and the lighting. We are so pleased with the way the kitchen turned out. Hiring a color consultant was the best $$ we have spent on our house. Thanks everyone!

antique white looks good