Last week we finally received the call: our cabinets are on their way. They’re scheduled to arrive Monday the 26th, which means we can lock in the installation schedule and expect a finished kitchen before the end of the year. It feels like an early New Year’s present.
When we first started shopping back in September, we knew two things right away: we wanted white cabinets, and we wanted KraftMaid. White cabinets fit the bright, timeless look we envisioned for our kitchen. KraftMaid came recommended by a friend in the home-decor industry and by Nancy Kulik, CKD, who consulted with us at the store. Both praised the brand for its durability and build quality. Cabinets are one of those investments where spending a bit more up front can save headaches down the road, and Nancy demonstrated just how sturdy KraftMaid doors can be—enough that a child could hang from one without damage. That was persuasive.
At first we were tempted by the idea of solid oak painted white. It sounded classic and rich. Nancy explained the trade-offs: painting solid wood adds a premium—roughly a 15% upcharge for KraftMaid oak painted white—and painted surfaces can chip over time, revealing grain underneath. Given our desire for a low-maintenance finish, she recommended Thermofoil: a durable, baked-on plastic coating that mimics painted wood but resists wear and chipping for years. Choosing Thermofoil saved us money and promised a finish that would stand up to everyday use. It’s not glamorous in the same way as painted oak, but it delivers on longevity and value.
Once we settled on KraftMaid and Thermofoil, the next decision was door style. Both of us initially fell for the Bel Air design—clean lines, slightly contemporary, and a look that felt fresh without being trendy. We also considered the Monticello, which had a more traditional profile with thicker grooves and rounder edges. The Monticello was less expensive and looked attractive in the store displays, so for a while we leaned toward it.
Bel Air …………………………………………. Monticello
After living with the decision and reviewing photos of different installations, we realized the Monticello felt too ornate for the clean, timeless kitchen we wanted. The rounded profiles and heavier detailing gave a slightly “horsy” or rustic vibe that didn’t match the rest of our design. The more subtle Bel Air, with its refined lines and understated elegance, fit our original vision much better. When we ran the updated choice past Nancy, she confirmed the Bel Air would only add a few hundred dollars to the total—well worth it in the context of an entire kitchen remodel. A small extra cost now seemed like a smart trade for a look we’d enjoy for years.
So we went back to our first instinct: Bel Air won. Monticello was out. It feels good to settle on a style that aligns with the bright, modern-traditional aesthetic we want, and we’re relieved to have the decision behind us so the installers can proceed.
The selection process turned out to be more nuanced than we expected. Even when you think you know exactly what you want—brand, finish, color—subtle differences in style can change the whole feel of a kitchen. In the end, choosing KraftMaid Thermofoil cabinets in the Bel Air door style gives us the durability, clean look, and long-term value we prioritized from the start.
Now it’s a waiting game: the cabinets are en route, the installation is scheduled, and we’re hopeful that when the white Thermofoil KraftMaid Bel Air cabinets arrive next week, they’ll be everything we envisioned. We can hardly wait to see the finished kitchen and enjoy the new, refreshed heart of our home.
Images courtesy of KraftMaid