We are in the planning stages of redoing our 1950s CA contemporary kitchen (hoping to start work in February). No extension just redoing original space. budget is taken up with mostly appliacnes -- have been looking at Ikea cabinets but would like to use something more substantial without blowing the budget -- looking for ideas/suggestions on custom cabinet maker, stock cabinets - modern etc. Will be using Formica counters - but want a modern/danish/euro feel for the cabinets. We are in Falls Church.

There's a really good thread in the Dwell Labs section with about 30 to 35 posts on a similar issue. I used Ikea cabinetry from the College Park store (I just bought the whole display kitchen at a sizable discount)and they've worked great for my units. There are pictures in that thread. The title is something like $20,000 kitchen, what would you do... I spent $2125 including countertops, sink, and range top plus about $1000 for appliances and I'm pleased as punch. If you just want the modern look with a more substantial feel, you might consider using the Ikea doors, drawerfronts, and hardware and having higher quality cabinet boxes custom made. This should put you in a decent price range while getting quality goods. After all, it's not the doors that are Ikea's problem, it's the cheaply made cabinet boxes.