DebraG wrote:
I purchased an old "distressed" wood cabinet for my kitchen that is 8
feet long by 8 feet high. Lots of storage space!

Problem is, the ceiling beam runs 2 and 1/2 inches BELOW 8 feet! So,
something has to go. I can cut the cabinet down, but was thinking
maybe I could just notch the beam?

A. Would that affect the beam's load capacity too much? The beam is
11 feet long by 10 inches deep. (It was put there to replace a load
bearing wall 10 years ago) or

B. Would it just look too stupid to have the beam run through the
cabinet or is that ever done?

You can not notch the beam. Reducing the height of a beam by two
inches can cut it's strength in half - easy. You'd then have to deal
with cracked walls, stuck doors and other, potentially far worse
consequences.

Time for Plan B - not your B above as that would look mighty odd.

R