I am open for suggestions as I still have time to buy. Still, in delimma, whether I should go for solid wood or something else.

Going with professional has its own advantages. Afterall he is pro, so he has studied more and has more experience. However is this person from the kitchen shoppee, which is giving you quotation of kitchen installation? In such cases, I have experienced that they just make boxy kitchens where they add lotsa fittings, that increases your budget. Open shelves does not need such fittings, so such are omitted...Normal door wali cabinets are less and number of drawers increased. Going on own is not a bad idea, provided you need to study it well. Note down the requirements, classify work areas and so on... In this approach , you have to go bit slower and carefully. Allow some flexibility in design, so that in future , you can alter as per the need. Sometimes we come to know the problems after few months/ years and we cant change it later. Ultimately compare between [your time+ efforts+ study+ error chances] Vs Hiring professional and go ahead accordingly.

looks like a laminate. could be digitally printed wallpaper or even printed acrylic sheet!

ABOVE IMAGE (STRIPS) IS OF FLUTE PANELS (CHARCOAL PANELS, AS THEY ARE CALLED) DURABLE & ECONOMICAL,AVAILABLE IN WIDE RANGE OF SHADES & TEXTURE. THEY COME IN SIZES F 4.5" WIDE X 8 FEET LONG ALTERNATIVELY CHARCOAL SHEET OF 8 X 2,8 X 4 SIZE CAN BE USED WALLPAPER IS AN EVERGREEN OPTION ,BUT IS FLAT IN NATURE THANKS DO CONTACT US AT INFO@SPCONTRACTORS.IN FOR FURTHER ADVICE THANKS