I'm sorry you didn't get any responses. We seem to be the only ones on here getting Wellborn. (I responded to your previous post about Wellborn). I ordered painted maple in the Divinity finish . They are due to be installed this month. I seriously considered getting the natural maple. The only reason I didn't is because I didn't think I would like them next to the old pine floors (that run throughout the house). I like more of a contrast. I considered a darker oak, but thought it would make the room dreary - kitchen is only 10 x 12 and all wall space will be completely fitted with cabs. The wood work in my house is white, except doors which are pretty dark wood, so the maple would have been very different from the rest of the house. On the other hand, I am not in love with all the white kitchens I see on GW, I like color. One of my favorites here belongs to berf, who used natural cherry and a stone-looking vinyl floor. I hope I haven't bored you to tears. Good luck with a tough decision.

I've gotten several quotes from different Kitchen Designers and your price range is pretty similar to mine. Brookhaven was about 25K. Midcontinent was 20K. Showplace was 24K. Dynasty was 22-24K. Diamond / Kraftmaid around 20-22k. My original plan was to go with Midcontinent from a KD that I trusted, but he needed to relocate to take care of his parents. Upgraded Midcontinent cabinets seem to have a pretty good reputation. Looking at the specs online, I think they might use a bit thinner shelving, etc, but I'm not sure how that would affect daily use. The KD that relocated recommended a colleague who carries DeWils. They're have a nice reputation and per the KD, don't charge very much for customization. I'm currently working on the final layout and we might be able to get inset cabinets for about 22K. All the previous quotes were for full overlay, so it's a good price. There are real Kitchen Designers and there are "cabinet stores" that have some kitchen designing experience. The former might mark up their cabinets a bit more, but I believe it's worth working with them if the budget allows.

1. Don’t confuse Wellborn with Wellborn Forest. Different companies, sorta the same family, but estrangement and other issues might as well have them be strangers. KM and WB each have different levels of price and quality within their fold. If you are Comparing KM Vantage to the lesser specified WB Premiere or lower, and not their top Estate product, of course WB’s price will be lower. It isn’t a valid comparison. KM Vantage is a great mid to upper mid market line that has almost as many customizations as do some “custom” lines. WB’s Aspire frameless is a stepchild among them all, and doesnt really receive the support that it deserves. KM has no comparable frameless lines, or inset. That is KM’s market lack. WB is an odd company, and does some construction techniques differently that results in issues that they do not view as problems. They also refuse to use white oak, and only use red oak. They also penalize sellers for warranty claims or miss ships that every other company routinely assumes responsibility for and takes care of. That’s just a few among other idiosyncratic and borderline company behaviors that wouldn’t make it in a publicly held company. Because it is a family held company, they choose to create their own world. Their Estate quality is good, if you can design around their issues, but overall, I choose to not work with them due to their other issues.

Standard Kemper, sure. It’s mid grade. Not the lower spec Echo. Unless you’re doing an entry level home. Wellborn nothing, ever.