Modern Kitchen Reno

I built my own custom designed contemporary galley kitchen using 3/4" 4' X 8" sheets of plywood that is red oak veneer stained in ebony with a varathane finish.  The previous country style cabinetry was built by Home Depot and had awful particle board designed cabinetry that was literally falling apart.  I advise against Home Depot and IKEA cabinets which may look great which but don't last.  Another consideration is IKEA cabinets require assembly (which you'll have to pay someone to do) and after shipping aren't that great of a deal after all.   The counters we chose are an East Indian granite purchased from our friends at River City Stone whom i recommend (although i would advise anyone purchasing counters to invest in Silestone or quartz counters which are non-porous and thus hygenic, non-staining and heat resistant).  All doors on the upper cabinets are soft return Blum hinges (great for reducing noise and slamming doors) and the bottom cabinets are all soft return slider drawers (again reducing slamming and drawers allow the user to see everything that is in the drawer versus having to crawl around and reach into the cabinet-drawers are the only way to go when you build your kitchen).  The stainless dishwasher is elevated off the floor to reduce the need to bend over and i'll try to recommend building that into any kitchen design that i build.  An appliance garage is seen above the dishwasher for toaster, coffee maker, juicer, food processor and blender to be accessible but yet cleanly out of view until needed.  A single deep sink is seen with Hans Grohe faucet.  As well we have a three stage reverse osmosis filtered water dispenser.  The kitchen design i built also features a pull out garbage and recycling bin drawer, flip out sink drawer for pads, wash rags etc and large pantry.  I have to say its a efficient and useful design.   My partner Lisa loves it and doesn't miss the old kitchen at all, especially since i was able to improve so many elements of the space- added dishwasher, more storage, better work and task lighting and a welcoming design that everyone can congregate around (the "bar" counter in foreground).  I had to remove a portion of a supporting wall to open the space but a doubled 2" X 10" header beam easily handles the load.