I intended on building my own cabinets as well, out of some local cedar I have. I had to move in sooner than I intended though, and needed a kitchen asap. I bought the cheap, unfinished cabinets from Home Depot. To me, even some of the high end cabinet "carcass'" look cheap as they are made of plywood (as appose to particle board). Some may use Poppel. I intend on lining them with cedar anyway, as cedar will take any moisture under the sink, and deters the critters. The face of the cabinets are oak. Doing my own finish, I can match these with the trim in the kitchen and dining room. Also, I didn't want to pay extra for raised panel, as I am removing the panels and replacing with glass. I am scoring the rear of the groove (inside edge) with a razor. Then I split the edge away with a chisel. I made the counter top out of particle board. I beefed up the edge by gluing 2" wide strips, clamping them tight, and brad nailing to hold the strips so I could move the clamps down the edge and tighten as I go. With the main piece sitting on the cabinet, I cut a third strip as wide as the overhang by 1/2" high. I glued and naild these on next. This third piece is just to beef up the back side as I attached 3" x 3/4" oak strips along the face of the counter. These were also glued an brad nailed. After these cured, I glued on a dark, green, marble pattern laminate (off the shelf at Home Depot). When this cured, I used my router for a 3 sided edge. The dark red mahogany base, natural oak edge, green top, and stainless bowl really turned out looking great. I just got one of the doors up with the glass, and it looks even better. I used polyeurothane clear coat. First coat of satin, light steal wool, then a coat of gloss. Both oil base. Oil takes a littl elonger to dry and has a stronger smell, but water base will raise the grain, requiring sanding between coats. I used this on my interior log siding as well, and like the durability of the eurothane. I have bumped the walls with a hammer, getting a dent, but no chips or cracks.

As far as reference, I literally learned a lot from Hometime and This Old House. Learning as I go. Hometime gets more into doing it yourself details. Still want to make a little bit of furniture too.

LearningasIgodon
http://hometime.com/

 

Thanks. Sorry to be so slow in responding but I am just catching up from being away for a short while. Still in the talking stage with my wife as to what to do but this is good info. <br>Thanks again.