Design Notes
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.
Paint creates a more uniform color.
Stain celebrates wood’s natural character.
Neither is universally better.
They’re simply different design languages.
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.
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.
Sanding and surface preparation create the foundation.
A premium finish can’t compensate for poor preparation.
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.
Cabinet finish should coordinate with:
The goal isn’t choosing the prettiest sample.
It’s choosing the finish that belongs in the overall design.
While bold colors took a step back for a few decades, they have been making a solid comeback as homeowners rediscover the vibrancy and pop they bring to a space, allowing them to express their personalities at the same time.
While the actual design and craftsmanship of building cabinets rightfully take most of our time when starting a project, we realize that the colors of the final product will also be important to you.
We offer a broad selection of door styles, including shaker, inset, and flat-panel, but as custom cabinet builders, we are not limited to these. Here, we will discuss the current trends in cabinet door styles for 2020, but we are always open to whatever designs our customers have envisioned.
Working in the woodworking industry for over twenty years has taught us one thing: trends may evolve, but stained wood never truly goes out of style. Time and time again, homeowners are drawn back to the natural warmth, depth, and character that only stained wood can provide.
The kitchen layout is essential because it controls traffic flow and the placement of items such as the sink and appliances. The work triangle still plays a key role in designing a layout in which the sink, stove, and refrigerator are spaced at a certain distance.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking