Upper cabinets

We debated what type of handle to use for the cabinets: we had two different metal pulls and then Angela threw the cutout handle into the mix. Ultimately we settled on the cutout handles. Then came the next decision (there's always a series of them!) How to finish the handle openings: stain or no stain? We asked for opinions from several people (friends and relatives, young and old.) I ended up doing something "in between." While I liked the no stain raw plywood edge with varathane, I get it that there was too much contrast. I made a sample board of cut outs to test different sizes and appearance. Sizes were made from 7/8", 1", and 1 1/8" holes. The 7/8" size looked the nicest but were too small for my knuckles to fit comfortably (but Angela's hand was fine with that size.) We went with two 1" holes drilled out and then cut in between with a jigsaw. Then the edges on the inside and the outside were routered with a 1/8" round corner. I didn't like the appearance of the stain in the handles - it was too dark and "muddy looking." I was thinking of doing a different colour and then while laying in bed the next morning kind of "half asleep" came up with the thought of taking the stain we're using and thinning it 50% with paint thinner. This would keep it in the same colour scheme but give it a bit of a different look.
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The hand cutouts on the right show how dark the full stain appears in the side grain of the plywood.

It took quite a while for the whole process: take down the doors, template and cut the hand holds (two holes and jigsaw for each), sand, prestain, stain with the thinned stain, varathane three to four coats, sand again, and then remount the doors. In the end we're happy with the appearance. The cabinets had a flush face and the look is clean. Tonight I also got the rest of the gas lift struts in place. Onto the driver's side dining area and bathroom. I'm leaving the kitchen drawers to later...