[elizabeth_va]

We areplanning to use NEXUS birch. Our upper cabinets are to be the 39" highs. I'm a little concerned that, since the door is a flat panel, it might be just a wee too much, well, *birch*. What do you all think of mixing, say, RAMDALA (or ADEL?) with the NEXUS? I was at the store today and they're all the same tone. I was thinking the NEXUS on top and theRAMDALA on the bases. Of course, the beauty of the IKEA system is that we will use the birch boxes and could buy a few door styles to see which ones we like. Right?

My specific question aside, I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has mixed styles at all. One variation I played with was the shiny black or red on the uppers and birch bases. Anyone?

[GardenOfDarwin]

Ooooh! Ooooh! Ooooh! I know this one! I know this one! Mandysbaba is doing Abstrakt Red with Birch--not sure which Birch, but it sounds like a really cool combo. I think it would be great, but couldn't pull it off in this house.

I've thought of doing the new Lidingo with our Stat white, but I'm not sure about the stylistic differences. Something to think about, though...

Susan

[Tigratrus]

I Like the idea of mixing NEXUS and RAMDALA. It would make for a nice pattern effect on the bottom kind. of grounding and balancing the smoother NEXUS on top (even suggesting the feel of pillars?). If you decide to got that way PLEASE post pictures? Mixing the styles has some really interesting possibilities.

I should probably adda disclaimer that I'm a bit partial to the RAMDALA doors anyway though...

[elizabeth_va]

Oh, cool! I can't wait to see Mandysbaba's kitchen! Do we know where she is in the process?

Tigratrus, I know what you mean about the possible "grounding" effect of the RAMDALA. I think its what my subconscious was searching for. My husband is not so sure about it, though I forget now why. But he is open to buying the two doors and trying it out. We will most certainly post pics should we choose to go this route.

[Tigratrus]

Please do!

And tell your husband that it sounds like you're a designdiva and he should trust your instincts... :: grin :: .

I've learned to do that with Susan's design ideas... For the MOST part...

I DO reserve the right to strong objections to BRIGHT colors and a veto on structurally unsound ideas...

[nyc_home]

I love the way birch looks with red . (I'm doing nexus birch and some still to be determined red accents, but decided against the red cabinets because my space is too small.) The glossy abstrakt cabinets are really intense. It can be a great look if you have enough space and light and are sure you want a dramatic kithcen. If you do mix the two, I'd suggest using the birch on top and red on the bottom. I think it might look too top-heavy to have the red on top. Depending on your layout, you might also just alternate the red and the birch on the bottom and use birch on top.

Hmm, now you have me rethinking whether I should add ramdala to my nexus?

[elizabeth_va]

We went to the store and looked more closely at the NEXUS and RAMDALA, and also talked to a IKEA KD. Just a few things to note. Because the NEXUS is all veneer, the outer edge of the door is banded with *beech* veneer. I am not exactly sure why they did this. I don't think it makes the nexus/ramdala combo unworkable, but just FYI. Also, the NEXUS is a lighter birch color than the RAMDALA, since the R. is solid birch.

Having said all that, I think it would work if you did all of one on the base and all of the other on the uppers. I think having the counter and backsplash separating them would allow it to work. I would not put them side by side.

As it turns out, my husband is not a fan of the RAMDALA and so we have decided to go back to *ADEL* birch. Long story. *rolls eyes* We need to just purchase the darn things so we (okay, I) have to stick with something!

And, Tigratrus, never fear. The purple tiles are also out.

[Tigratrus]

Good. Glad the purple tile went away! ::shudder::

Sorry to hear about the RAMDALA though, I still think having RAMDALA on the bottom and NEXUS on top sounds nice...

[thai hot!]

Ah... New here, and now I have found the post that relates to the 2nd of my 2 primary questions....

We have generally planned to use Adel Birch in our immediate kitchen remodel. However, we are nowVE'ing the plans.We are considering replacing the base cabinet doors, the wall oven cabinet, and theabove-frig. cabinets with Nexus doors...meaning in one location, a 24" deep Nexus wall oven cabinet will actually bealongside a 12" deep Adel Birch wall cabinet. A 3rd consideration is to include Ramdala glass doors in an isolated pantry area in the kitchen, primarily to make use of their glass style, which we prefer over the Adel Birch pattern... but the frame width is different. =(

We noticed, as Elizabeth did, that there are color variations between the Nexus doors and the Adel Birch. Furthermore, we saw a considerable amount of variation within the Adel Birch door/drawer display, but not so much in the full Adel Birch kitchen display. It really appears that the veneers, even the all birch (save the Nexus edge), REALLY vary from the true wood frame on the doors. What feedback or photos can anyone offer to confirm or lay to rest that concern?? Thanks!

[DesignDiva]

I just put together a little Nexus Birch/Abstrakt Red design for fh2000 on this board, the thread is entitled "L shape kitchen ideas". Then I revised it to Kalesbo Beech and red. Take a look! I was inspired by Mandysbaba.