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.

We always seek to guide our clients to the wood choices that best fit their project’s needs. Education is a part of our service, as we believe you make the best choices when you are informed.

Here are a few other small things to include in your design that will ensure you can stay in your forever home forever.

Painted cabinets are a popular choice for kitchen cabinet colors. They provide multiple options to add a pop of color to the space, such as a kitchen island.

Laundry rooms are an essential part of the home; they are where clothes come out clean, and miscellaneous items are stored. While almost all homes have one, many people wish they had a better, more functional laundry room.

Wine is more than just a beautiful bottle of fermented contents; it is a hobby and for some an investment. Wine rooms are rising in popularity, and building a wine room is not as hard as you think; plus, its purpose is more than to look good. Here, we outline the steps involved in building a wine room in your home.