when I was cabinet shopping Diamond didn't offer a proper cabinet for the built-in Liebherr. The 30" Liebherr requires a 29 1/2" wide cutout. That little detail really messed things up. I can't remember exactly what the issue was, but would have caused me to have a lesser cabinet for significantly more money. That was the primary reason I went with custom. And I'm SO glad I did! Custom didn't cost much more and there were no design compromises, I got exactly what I wanted. Custom inset cabinets installed cost about 5% more than Diamond full overlay installed. ~Jay

I don't think you can paint ALL Amish with such a broad brush, at least not in Maryland. We have a lot of Mennonites in my area as well and most are hard working and wonderful people. Unfortunately there are plenty of puppy mill people in the community at large so I don't think it's only an Amish problem. I've recently donated to and am on a foster list for a group trying to save over 200 dogs taken from a non Amish woman out West who was involved in a puppy mill producing herding breeds like my two dogs. Having said that, it's like anything, you have good and talented craftsmen/women in their communities and you have not so good ones. I would ask for references to see any cabinets produced by the people you are considering. My parents had Amish made cherry kitchen cabinets installed over 30 years ago and they still look wonderful today. I've also seen furniture pieces made by some craftsmen in my area that are crudely made and rough to the touch with very poor staining on them. So just like anything, you will want to see their work to determine if they are truly an artist and good at what they do, or just able to create utilitarian but not very attractive cabinets. I wouldn't go to anyone to construct cabinets or anything else for that matter, that wasn't what I consider a decent human being. But I don't think you can say ALL Amish are puppy mill operators. It's too bad for the Amish in general that they have some bad apples in the bunch, it gives those who are honest hard working people a bad name. Kat :)

Hello from Southern California, I wonder if some of you can give me some pointers. I recently had a contractor built a custom built-in bookcase but I am not happy with it. I am thinking of redoing it but not sure where to start or even possible with the budget constrain. The bookcase dimensions: H X W X D (74 X 34 x 9"). There will be three floating shelves and three cabinet doors below the shelves. Initially I was going with a German system but they refused as it's too small of a project. Budget up to 12 K. Searched local area and found one that has decent quality material and track record. They will charge 12K for the dimensions aforementioned. I was not too keen on paying if it's was not a German system. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations. I have looked further and seen that California Closet offers custom built to exact dimensions. I am not too keen on California Closet as they only have laminates as their materials. Does anyone know any builders (preferable server Southern California) who can help with my project? The bookcase contemporary style so things have to have all the line straight etc. I also prefer wood veneer or maybe even solid wood. As for budget, I am hoping that it will be less than 10 K if it's not a German system. I wonder if my expectations are unrealistic given the budget.

It needs to be lightly sanded first..than 2 coats of primer....I think it is called cabinet rescue...The finished coat of paint in the final color is best if sprayed on..good luck!