Thanks so much, all of you. You know, my carpenter said several times, "I'm sure there's a solution to this. I just don't know what it is. Why don't you call a cabinet shop - they must have seen this before." I think I couldn't hear it because I was too upset. The cabinet company won't work - it's Ikea. (That's another reason why I've been upset about this. I see money flying out the window, and my budget is very tight already.) But there is a custom cabinet shop nearby that does gorgeous work. (I would have gone with them had I been able to afford it.) Maybe someone there will be willing to take the job. Bmorepanic, I agree with you - they shouldn't have installed the counter. Unfortunately, the installers relied on their templater's measurements, and had the counter installed before they discovered the problem. It was my own fault that I ordered a cooktop that's too large for the cabinet, but if the cooktop cutout had been made correctly, I would have discovered the issue during dry-fitting, when there was time for my carpenter to fix it. Boxerpups, I discovered that Microtrim site, but it specifically says that the trim is just aesthetic - it supplies no support. Footballmom, I had the same idea. If I can't find a finish carpenter who will try to remove the excess cabinet, I will ask the granite people if they'll glue some strips on to make the opening smaller. I'm feeling so much better after reading the posts by people who think it can be done. (And after sleeping, of course!) I just wish I didn't have to go to work, so I could start calling around right now!

WOW -- you guys have given me so much good stuff to think about. All who pointed out that my inspiration shots don't include any colored tile or other permanent elements other than the wall paint -- that was really eye-opening. So thanks, rob p, buehl, sailormann, lascatx, and debsan. I am now thinking about going a different direction with that element. The white cabinets, white subway tile, and marble counters with a warm green or yellow on the walls, and bringing in color with things like displayed items, and possibly also kitchen table and chairs. @kateskouros: What you describe sounds just lovely. I'm sure your kitchen is going to be beautiful! @elizpiz: I wish I had room for an island, but it was either an island OR a kitchen table. I really wanted the old-fashioned kitchen table, so that's what I'm getting! However, I've yet to buy it, so I will definitely think about a colorful one. And thanks for the attic link. Great pictures there to get ideas from. @chachashea: I can't wait to see pictures when your kitchen is done! Another thought I've had is that I am getting one custom-built cabinet piece, which will sit next to the table and house things like laptop and TV, with cubbies for mail and bills and magazines and such. I was going to ask the GC to paint it white to match the cabinets, but now I wonder if I should have it painted yellow or green (whichever I don't paint the walls). That might be really nice. As much as I love white cabinets, my eye is always drawn in pictures to the painted pieces in old kitchens too. Now for the backsplash -- I wonder if it would be too boring just to continue the white subway tile and paint, and then mix it up a little bit higher up on the wall with a picture, or a starburst clock, or something like that. One thing I'm still mulling too is whether the white subway tile should go all the way up between counter and cabinet, or stop short to expose paint color. What do you all think? Too "unfinished" without pencil or cap tile in black or another color, or could this work where the tile is all white? Thanks so much again! Liz

I have to respond to this one, huh! I love blue in all its variations, and that's a pretty shade...however, it's very hard to pull off blue cabinets. We are so used to seeing wood. A couple of people on this forum have used beautiful blue islands as part of a well thought out & integrated color scheme, which seems to work better than the overwhelming blue in your kitchen. IMO the blue cabinets COULD work (decor-wise), if they were in good shape and you didn't want to make other changes...but it sounds like they don't work and you have some very good ideas -- so go for it. Good luck! FWIW, I'm getting maple perimeter cabinets, an off white island, a Thermador range with blue knobs, and blue granite countertops. The blue granite will make a very strong statement. I also have lots of Kitchenaid cobalt blue cook tools and Chantal cobalt pots & pans, and will probably put in a utensil rail or potrack. I think that's quite enough blue! I'm resisting the urge to use blue mini-pendants because I want traditional schoolhouse lights, and I'm using basic/boring white subway tiles for the backsplash and either a basic/boring/beige tile floor or a medium hardwood. My buddy tried to talk me into a cobalt blue sink but IMO there are some things in life that should be in bright colors, and the sink ain't one of them.

I’m in the storage camp, but try to avoid “ junk room/ closet”. Think about ways this space could improve QOL in OTHER areas of your home. What things do you need/ use but less frequently, or maybe a category, but are crowding space elsewhere? Of course this depends on whether you have another garage, or attic, or what closets. I try to do as much point-of- use storage, or logical places, but also think what things I don’t mind going to my garage to get. Also attic, but I know I won’t ever just “ grab” something from attic. But some things need inside climate- control. Is this room well- ventilated/ heat/ cool or is it damp or musty? That makes a difference. Also I’m not clear on how this space relates to the rest of the house. Is it now part of a finished basement or walkout or a ground floor of adjacent living areas, or just by itself?