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.

The master bathroom is an essential, complementary space that provides the homeowners with a place to not only freshen up but have a mini spa experience right in their own home.

With so much traffic, however, and everyone doing something different, things can get tight as many people try different tasks. That’s where kitchen prep zones can help out. Learn more about a kitchen prep zone and how it can benefit you in your home.

Built-ins are a reflection of their name since they are built directly into the interior of the home. Of course, the most common are bookshelves, open shelving in living rooms and kitchens, as well as pantries.

We believe it is our job to help our clients have a space that is entirely functional and perfectly matches their lifestyle. Here are three areas in the home where custom storage can help you feel better, and your life run smoother.

Bathroom Cabinets can add value to the home. At Walker Woodworking, we know the value that custom cabinetry adds to any kitchen or bathroom remodeling project. Based in Shelby, North Carolina, our local custom cabinet company has been producing fine furnishings for homes in the foothills of North Carolina for 20 years.