Design Notes

Custom Cabinet Finishes

Color gets the attention. Preparation creates the finish.

Whether cabinetry is painted or stained, the final appearance depends on numerous steps that happen before you ever see the finished door.

Painted vs. Stained Cabinetry

Paint creates a more uniform color.

Stain celebrates wood’s natural character.

Neither is universally better.

They’re simply different design languages.

Wood Species Matters

Different species have different grain patterns and characteristics.

Walker offers standard species, including maple, quarter-sawn white oak, walnut, cherry, alder, and hickory, with additional species available for custom applications.

Painted Cabinet Materials

Material selection matters here too.

Walker uses MDF panels in painted doors because they’re less susceptible to the expansion and contraction patterns visible in hardwood panels.

green bathroom cabinets

Preparation Is Everything

Sanding and surface preparation create the foundation.

A premium finish can’t compensate for poor preparation.

Stain Celebrates Natural Variation

Wood is natural.

Variation isn’t necessarily a defect—it’s part of the material.

Two boards from the same species can absorb stain differently or display different grain.

That’s part of what makes wood cabinetry beautiful.

Think About the Whole Room

Cabinet finish should coordinate with:

  • Countertops
  • Flooring
  • Tile
  • Hardware
  • Lighting
  • Wall colors

The goal isn’t choosing the prettiest sample.

It’s choosing the finish that belongs in the overall design.

Why not make your laundry room as cheerful and welcoming as possible? We chose a few of our favorite laundry areas to showcase and give you some ideas on how to make laundry more enjoyable.

Often, there is more space than we realize, and with good planning and a few simple organization tips, you can make your small kitchen seem bigger. Here are four organizational tips to help you gain more usable space in your kitchen.

There are multiple variants when planning a new design, but three things never change in a kitchen: the sink, stove, and refrigerator. These three pieces are standard and essential to the flow and function of this area, which gave rise to the work triangle

At Walker Woodworking, we do custom work, which means we take the time to get to know our clients and create something that solves problems and looks great. Let’s talk about three areas in the home that often need design solutions and how we can help you solve them.

The idea of the American dream was born around that period when Jeeps hit the market, and kitchens were full of Tupperware. One of the most significant innovations in home design also happened during this period – the kitchen work triangle theory.