Hello! We used Cliq Studios a few years ago. Google them, I don't work for or get kickbacks from them. Good product cheaper than big box, all wood too! Keep it simple as far as design and you can get a good value kitchen. My original plan was to make the cabinets, but bought them cheaper than material cost.
I found a small cabinet shop that was very competitive with the box store offerings. For not much more than Home Depot/Lowes I got some custom work done. For example, the ceiling in the kitchen is 7' 6" AFF on one wall and 8' 6" AFF on the other side. I got cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling on both sides. You will be hard pressed to find a 'designer' at the big box stores that can wrap their brain around anything but standard height and widths.
Ikea. I know everyone says theyre cheap junk but its not true imo. Im a carpenter and these things take a thrashing day in an day out with kids treating them like a jungle gym. Have a half dozen friends who also used ikea in their new houses in the last 5 years. It takes a little patience learning the design software, but totally worth it!