Regrettably, that is not my kitchen. It is one whose colors I tried to replicate, with results so bad (this is how I know how wrong colored stains can turn out) that I had to go another direction completely . The kitchen is by Timeless Kitchen Design. They have a web site and a blog, and even a proprietor -- Kevin Ritter -- who may be able to identify the hardware. For anyone who might yearn to have one of his wonderful kitchens, forum member honeychurch has posted here and on a blog about her experience. The irony is that the photo that so won my heart is actually somewhat distorted from the original, which is slightly warmer in its coloring. Here is a link that might be useful: Timeless Kitchen Design

It sounds like they may be trying to educate you on the standard way they build cabinets, but it is possible to use all solid wood. Cost would most likely be affected though. Every pre-finished cabinet line I have worked with, high end or low, has a disclaimer form they require to be signed by the cabinet dealer and the customer stating that you understand the properties of a painted finish. It has to be sent in with the order or else the order wont be processed. No matter how well it is painted, tiny "cracks" in the paint will show at the seams between the stiles & rails of a paneled cabinet door. schreibdave noted the reasons above - expansion & contraction from humidity changes will get to you sooner or later. It does not look horrible, they are tiny hairline cracks that you would have to be ok with. Go to a showroom and take a look at the displays. Up close you will see them & notice that you had most likely not ever noticed them before. BUT...once you know about something, it may bother you. To answer your other questions, a mix or birch & mdf would not necessarily be bad. You would likely never know the difference once it was painted. It is probably a mix of cost, ease of construction & the paint / expansion qualities of the materials that determines what the cabinet maker uses. With that said - these are your cabinets, and you asked for low toxins/ VOC's. If your builder/ cabinet maker isn't working with you to assure you their methods and materials will fit your desires (or to find alternate ones that do), then I would find another professional that does. Surprisingly, factory finished cabinet lines can have a much better quality finish than "custom" built & painted on site cabinets. It is a controlled environment with less dust, etc. floating in the air. But good quality custom site built cabinets have their perks too. It all depends on the craftsman. Check out examples of their work similar to what you are looking for and see what you think. Good luck with your project!

@kel_kat5 How wide is the counter space in each of those three options with the various pantry sizes? How big is your family? I'm considering a 15" pantry which seems quite small in comparison to most I've seen, but I live alone and currently have no pantry at all, so I think any tall cabinet would seem luxe!

PEROXIDE....THE WHITE STUFF THAT MAKES THE DYE WORK. Opps....caps lock!