That is what you want if you're having a veneer finish, and a veneer finish is what you want if you're matching grain across cabinets or having that particular cut of wood. (Hard to tell but it looks like rift sawn which kind of has to be cut into a veneer to be practical.)

that looks like a veneer over mdf.

Plywood base is preferred. IMO. But MDF is also quite common. Sometimes it can be weaker than solid wood and if it gets wet, can swell.

https://www.choicecabinet.com/blog/whats-the-best-material-for-kitchen-cabinets-in-the-usa/

I have custom cabs that are almost 20 years old. they were made from solid birch.

I have had them painted w/new door styles, but they are still in excellent condition.

If I was starting new, I'd want solid wood drawers/doors (if doing stained natural wood)

and if painted, solid wood rails/stiles w/mdf center panels.

the one you're showing also looks like a laminate that mimics real wood. Some are very nice

what style are you after?

The problem with wood is that it grows on trees. The solution is to grind up bushes and glue and squish them together in the pictured MDF, then veneer. This is much more dimensionally stable than solid wood, resulting in a nicer finish.

You can find solid wood but not at a typical home store. It might take a bit but you can probably find a cabinetry shop--but you will have sticker shock so be ready!!!

raimondi, i meant plywood for the structure base. of course MDF is fine under the grades you're talking about. cheaper-end cabinets do not use that type. they use particle board. And if it's that cheap chinese crappola that has no regulations, it's even worse. That's why I said plywood is preferred. Not everyone can afford to use ethical craftsmen cabinet makers like your buddy David.

Ok, refined MDF, I get it. I was just surprised with the MDF even in what the carpenter said were "maple boxes". I'm having him make all the kitchens in a high end triplex that I live in. 2 relatively small kitchens and my big showy one. 6 vanities, some built-in closets, etc. The quote was about 100k.

Bathroom tile selections and wall mounted cabinets. Looks a little better than a riff sawn oak I think, no?

Ann Sacks? Very nice! Walnut is my favorite. I think it looks awesome with this palette. Make sure you seal the terrazzo.

"Maple boxes" typically describe the drawer construction (?)

Yes, Ann Sacks Savoy line with their honed resin terrazzo. They have a new matching 2x2 terrazzo mosaic for the shower but not available until march. I'm going to have my tile guy cut 4x4's. One benefit of that is the ability to book match the cut tiles I guess. I will seal everything!

I'm going to talk to the carpenter about those 'boxes' and drawers and grades of waterproof MDF tomorrow. If you were doing a kitchen in a rental would you pay more for durable wood-look thermofoil doors or just paint-grade cabinets? Someone pointed out if a thermofoil door needs to be replaced in the future that it might not be available or matchable anymore.

I would not put a thermofoil cabinet in a rental. I would do something that could take a bit of dinging and denting and scratching. People are surprisingly hard on things particularly when they don't own it.

I was told thermofoil was pretty durable. Here's my other option. I know it's not everyone's taste but I was thinking about mixing paint grade cabinets and doors with a couple select cabinets/drawer fronts mixed in with real wood. This would be only for my rentals. What do you think?

are you referring to that white/wood combo shown in the pic?

something like this? yuk

I actually like the wood on the lowers, and those SS glass modern uppers. that would be a nice combo.

or just go w/the two tone upper and lowers

but I wouldn't do diff wood/thermofoil on the same lowers together.

how is that price-wise compared to the cheapest cabinet selection?

There are rentals and there are 'rentals'. only you know which one you have. are you trying to be somewhat modern and stylish in order to get more rent? or would the place rent for X-amount regardless of what kind of cabinets you put in?

I do like this

what if you matched it in the kitchen w/something like this, and the larger finger tiles for splash?

kitkats

more dramitic?

check out the new tile here

check both of these links

https://www.tilebar.com/wabi-sabi-sapphire-blue-1-5x9-crackled-glossy-ceamic-bullnose.html

https://www.tilebar.com/cadenza-tidewater.html

Yes, just like the white/wood combo. I'm looking for it to be stylish and durable... if someone damages the wood doors, it won't break the bank to replace. It's a high-end townhouse style rental near the beach. My buying power right now is having a carpenter do everything in the triplex for me as a package deal. The price breakdown per kitchen is about an Ikea setup.

No to thermofoil. The problem there is once there's a scratch, there's just no way to do a good touchup. It just looks ratty forever.

Paul, scroll back up to my last comment. i added more pics. look at the last one and check out the new tiles they got. the colors are amazing

wabi sabi and the cadenza tidewater

Beautiful tile. It will be one thing I'm going to be facing after the cabinets. I have a lot of artwork in the open room so I need to not compete with it, I think. This is a early render of my kitchen by someone that picked the finishes.

I'm thinking walnut now for more contrast since I'm kind of sold on this floor... and less stone!

Like this.

love the floor. similar to what I have.

I like the lighter cabs in the first pic w/the darker stone and that floor.

Love the lighter cabs and darker floor!

Well, here is a riff-sawn white oak closet that my cabinet guy showed me that he was working on. I did like the horizontal grain.

that could work. be careful w/the graining though.

were you going to do a diff color on the upper cabs?

the darker walnut color is really nice too.

It would be just like the render, upper cabinets the same 24 inch depth and the same color. The start at the 7 foot mark.

You sure you don't like more contrast in floor and cabinets?

not if you're using the dark stone just like you have in the picture.

I really like that combo you have. if you want the darker cabs, go w/the lighter stone.

oh, you need some gold pendants

I like these two floors. I've also removed some stone. I think the herringbone may add some contrast, no?

I’m not a pro but the herringbone floor pattern might not worth your linear wood cabinets. I’d go for a simpler floor and let the cabinets be the star of the show.

The cabinets have movement. No need for more

I like the Vedhamn European Oak IKEA released last summer. 25-year warranty should hold up for renters. Solid rails and stiles. Q. robur species doesn't have the open grain of Q. alba from N>America.

If you want slab European Rift Oak Slab | Wood Cabinet Fronts | The Cabinet Face

We bought a house that was operated as a rental. It had low-end 20-25 year old thermofoil vanities in two bathrooms. Held up very well - especially the slightly better one that did not have the wrap seams (which also had a little discoloration). Good thermofoil i think would be ideal for a rental. I would never put a wood finish in a rental. Any damage bad enough to require touch up to a wood door would destroy a thermo door, sure but be more easily and cheaply replaceable with thermofoil. You just put in a new door.

The floor some people liked above now I'm told is too rustic for my modern kitchen. So knots or no knots? $7.99 vs 1$1.99

I like the last two, Not only because of the lack of knots. The first two use a fill to color the open grain off white. Can your carpenter get the same species of wood for the cabinets is the question. DOCA cabinets uses it. If he can match that his value goes up.

Paul, that first one is very similar to my floors. (Calif Classic Mediterranean) You can see it here w/my mcm/original vintage furniture

I do like that more medium toned Monarch floor though. that might be nice. last pic is too yellow

Looks great in your place.