cabinets = avoid mdf, designer custom shit is $$$$ so stick to RTA if you can't afford that

counters = natural stone like quartzite will never go out of style

appliances = viking isn't good anymore, wolf is 180, but tbh you're generally paying for the badge and there are plenty of great cheaper options. avoid korean brands

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49209802)

appliances: I've had terrible luck with korean brands with fridges, namely samsung and LG --- thinking of sub zero for fridge, debating on range and microwave

I don't want to remodel or rebuild again so looking for a timeless aesthetic as well as a robust kitchen that will stand up to heavy use over decades

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49217076)

also, modern appliances aren't designed to last "for decades." That's just the nature of the assignment, especially with fridges. I wouldn't drop crazy money on a sub zero fridge that will probably still have problems within 10 yrs regardless. they aren't $10k of value. you're better off just treating the fridge as semi-disposable and buying several of them over time with that money.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49217650)

Tiled countertops.

Cabinets are whatever. Just paint what you already have.

Built in appliances are stupid. Just get whatever is cheapest. Nobody even uses all four burners on their stove at once.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49209805)

It’s still really heavy and seems like stone to me

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49217570)

Countertops do 100% quartz counters. They don't stain and are bulletproof but look very high end. Nothing flashy, just neutral colors, big fan of white oaky wood cabinets, white/light grey countertops, etc.

Appliances, if you're doing a substantial remodel spring for the built in fridge, it looks much nicer and high end. You don't need subzero but they do last forever and look great.

Other stuff, i think samsung, lg, etc are all garbage. Whirlpool for washers/dryers, bosch makes great dishwashers but so does whirlpool. Avoid samsung, lg, and any other "tech brands". Avoid all the dumb gimmicky bullshit. I like a good stove but avoid everything with tech gimmicks.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49217666)

this is an exaggeration. only the very best engineered wood with a thick as fuck wear layer is going to stand up to a few resurfacings and it will never look the way it originally did. I'd want 3-4mm to do it once, and 5-6 to do it twice, then to do it a "few" times even more than that.

and it's not extremely water resistant either. if it gets wet (not a small amount wiped up quickly, but big spills or something like fridge condensate leaking), the floor will expand and potentially buckle, or maybe even have issues with delamination. and the warranties are all worthless because they will find a way to jew you out of it and blame it on you. they handle water better than solid hardwood but still aren't good for the kitchen.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49217712)

i'd be paying close attention to the tile size, shape, thickness of grout lines and make sure you don't end up with something that looks too much like a shitty porcelain tile job from a spec home.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49221857)

*monkeypod closes*

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49221939)

Countertops - stone. Granite soapstone whatever. But real, natural stone.

Flooring - stone. I'm a big fan of dark slate but that's subjective.

Use real, durable materials or plan to redo your kitchen in a few years, which is ridiculous.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49221946)

appliances and layout?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49225521)

If you're looking at real high end luxury appliances, worth taking the time to look for big discounts, open box, etc. We got our range and our fridge off ebay with a massive discount. We were lucky but it is a bit risky. Our fridge has a dent on the side somewhere you can't see it because it's got cabinets on both sides anyway. Great fridge.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49226116)

https://ibb.co/FLbYX0c0

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49226060)

Travertine floors are great if you're looking for a lighter look and there are some very reasonably priced options. Marble is usually too smooth to make good flooring. I've seen it look good but I'm not sure it's practical.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49226122)

My house came with green granite that I love but if I were to design a brand new kitchen, I would probably use white marble, dark stained wood cabinets, gold hardware and slate floors, or just the same wood floors as what we have through the rest of the house. I would never used engineered or tile flooring anywhere.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5765874&forum_id=2Elisa#49226212)