DKID's Profile

I'm a kitchen designer. Go back to Ikea (or Home Depot or Lowes) and get them to price doing the work with a different number (and size) of cabinets. Instead of the drawing you have with the ten cabinets, do a layout with one sinkbase cabinet three doored wall cabinets. The wall cabinets should be 36" high, two at 30" wide flanking one 24" wide, then just do an open shelf in between the cabinet and the sink(base), it should be about 21-24" above the counter top. Ensure they include in the order enough fillers to run at the very top of the wall cabinets (in between the ceiling and the wall cabinets) and for each cabinet that is at a wall end.

I like the butcher block top idea, but it may be more expensive than a laminate top. Laminate is fine, just don't cut directly on it, get a cutting board. At least look at the laminate options before dismissing them all together. Also, the prices of laminate tops usually vary due to "stock" tops and "custom" tops. Ask your sales person about this possible pricing scenario so you can get the best deal.

If you can afford the option, get them to demo the existing cabinets/built-ins on the opposite wall. Then purchase matching cabinets; two 30" high X 21" wide wall cabinets, have them install them on the floor by building up a toekick with 2x4s and wrapping them with toekick to match the cabinets. Placement: find the center on the wall, and mark 7.5" from the center mark in each direction. These two new marks will be where you can place the two new cabinets so that there are two cabinets with a 15" space in between (for trash container, or recycling). Add a 10" wide X 13" deep counter top and some open shelves above on wall brackets. Make sure you place the lowest shelf high enough so that it isn't right in front of your face as you stand there, if you would use the counter space for prep.

Your floor actually looks like VCT, not linoleum. But linoleum and marmoleum are great, economical and green flooring options.

Also, in this economy, you might get a better price from a small business. Problem is finding someone or a company that is reliable and guarantees their work.