If the cabinets are 39 x 48 inset, wouldn't your doors be shorter than 48"?

I think opening 1 tall door is better than having 1 small one at the top you can't reach without a ladder? Ours are 48". I find no problem or awkwardness with opening doors that tall. Yes, I suppose the argument would be that I'd need a ladder to reach anything on the top shelf anyway, but at least I can see what's up there from floor level.

Anyway, not sure there's any savings on the actual door, but lots of savings in hinges and knobs.

Thanks, Rhome. It's not the savings on the door, it was the savings on not having stacked cabinets. The KD said exactly what you just said, that you could at least see what's on the top shelf. I was planning on having glass paneled doors at the top with decorative items (haha...I'm the worst accessorizor known to the decorating world!!!). I have to have another look at your cabinets, but it sounds like one door will work.

Here you go, obviously still lacking upper trim and some paint!

Rhome, thank you soooooo much. They don't look to big at all. Wow, another decision made. What a day!!!

My ceilings are 11' & the cabinets go to about 10', meaning my upper cabs are approximately 60". One door works fine. Maybe one day I'll actually decide on a cornice!

Wow! 11' ceilings. It's funny how your doors don't look like they're 5' tall. I love, love, love the pot rack at the window (and was amused by the long hanging basket hooks you needed for them). I'd love to do that, too, but I don't think I have enough room; the wall cabinet doors would hit it. Thanks for posting the picture. It really helps.

I have a friend with very high (12'?) ceilings in an apartment in a historical area of NYC. Her cabinets go right to the ceiling. You have to stand at the opposite wall to see what's on the very top shelf.

Sorry, no pictures.

My pantry-type cabinets on the opposite wall go the the ceiling. I don't know the exact size of the doors, but the overall space on either side of the fireplace is 6' wide x 11' ceiling ht. They were designed to match 150 year old exsisting cabs in the outside kitchen which were 3' shorter; my cabinet maker tried his best to talk me out of these huge doors, but I love them.

Just be aware that when you get larger than 42" you increase the chances of warping over time because the stiles are a single piece of wood. Many custom cabinet manufacturers have a waiver that must be signed if the customer wants a door larger than 42". Structurally, it's better to break up the space into two doors rather than a large single one.

I have 9-foot ceilings and took my cabinets all the way to the ceiling. My cabinet maker talked me out of having separate smaller cabinets stacked on top and into one big cabinet. I'm pleased with the look and have no difficulty opening the tall cabinets.

Sooner, your doors look great. Maybe I'll even take out the glass panel in the top. Looking at yours, I don't think I really need it.

Live wire: Since these are inset that could be a problem. Do you know if the tendency to warp is reduced if the door has a large lower panel and a smaller upper panel like Rhome's?

Personally I prefer the look of the separate cab on top. I took my inspiration in part from orchiluvr's kitchen.

Footballmom - I **love** the fridge. I shopped for fridges compulsively. This one seems better built than a lot others that I looked at; I like the extra drawer in the freezer; and the fridge layout is perfect for the way we use the fridge.

Mary's cabinets have the look that I originally wanted. Those are going to be gorgeous!