I'm a Downsview dealer in Kingston, ON and have been for 30 years. They manufacture beautiful high end kitchens. Yes, you do pay partially for the name. A few good points: They have state of the art finishing booths and their finishes are second to none. No custom cabinet maker working out of a garage can duplicate a DV finish, most manufacturers can not duplicate a DV finish. I have had clients take a key to some sample paint finishes and it has barely made a scratch. The drawer boxes are longer then most other manufacturers. They edge tape all sides of a shelf (most other manufacturers only edge tape the front) The plywood they use for their boxes is much denser then plywood used by lesser priced manufacturers. The cabinets come with a gasket seal around the whole edge not just a stick on plastic bumper. They make all of their own doors so you can pretty well get any look you want. Bad Points: Price Measure mistakes are a designer/dealer error not a manufacturer error. Missing pieces and wrong colours could also be designer/dealer error (maybe they ordered them wrong or forgot to order them?) Yes, Downsview uses a 3mm reveal on all doors and drawers. If you want to order concealed handles, decide this in advance so that the reveal can be made larger to accomodate (again - dealer/designer error)

If all they need is a good cleaning then that is what you need to do. After which go to Lowes and get Rustoleum paint in a can. It is the most amazing product I have ever used. I will never use their spray again. It flows and levels like you won't believe. It also goes a LONG way. I did our pool surround with it. I used a green scrubby and cleaned the metal coping first. I rinsed and let dry. I then applied 3 light coats. No sanding. None. Rustoleum even tells you that there is no need to sand. They have great primers too but I didn't need them as the surface was in good shape...this is a pool coping that is 25 yrs old !! It looks new now. Has held up well so far..has been 4 months now. Please look at the Rustoleum web site and even email them if you have questions. There is NO reason to sand those cabs if the paint is soiled but intact. NONE !! This will cost you nothing but time and they will look great. Also you can get the paint tinted any color :) c

I agree with smalloldhouse on the RTA cabs. Barker might be a good quality at a cheaper price, but not a great solution if you don't have the time to assemble. My husband would have killed me if I ordered RTA cabs :) I have said this before in another post because I just researched cabs myself. It seems like there isn't a cab out there that people are not complaining about. Pick 2-3 cab makers you like, compare the specs & go for it. I read another thread where someone basically said mid grade cabs are generally the same (except for what Adorion said - make sure you are comparing apples to apples) and to buy from someone you like & will help you through the process. Not sure if that is helpful. Reading reviews for months will make you nuts and will paralyze you into no decision at all. Who knows what some of these people are doing to their cabs that are writing reviews?? I have had builder grade cabs for 20 years!! And there isn't one thing wrong with them, except that I hate them :) I know a few people who have medallion & are happy with them (except the silver line for reasons stated above), my dad got Starmark without a minute of research & they are really nice.

I received our delivery of Cubitac cabinets about two weeks ago May 14th. The cabinets were ordered on March 29 and were delivered to Consumers Kitchen & Bath as promised around first week of May. Unfortunately, more than five cabinets arrived too badly damaged to install, and at least eight doors require replacement. In addition touch up is necessary on many additional pieces. My carpenter has not left the site, and in the end will be seeking additional payment for no less than 20-30 hours of extra work. Unpacking and examining cabinets, then reviewing same with Consumers' customer service, his labor to install replacement doors and do touch up work. Consumers advised me it is not their responsibility. I asked Cubitac, but they do not have anyone either. Waiting for re-delivery this Friday or Saturday (June 1 or 2). I will follow up and update this posting next week.