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 size of our home can drastically vary from large spaces to limited square footage, which can require creative thinking on both ends, though small areas can present big challenges. Petite homes and apartments may need unique solutions to maximize their potential, but it is not impossible.

Budgeting is the most critical task when tackling any remodeling project. Each piece of your remodel will have a different cost, and having a plan before beginning the buying process is crucial to preventing overspending.

There are numerous moving parts involved in a kitchen renovation, making it easy to overlook areas where design mistakes can occur. To help, we’ve compiled ten mistakes to avoid.

Shelves are a functional part of the design in any space. They provide additional storage in areas that may have been limited, such as the kitchen sink, tight corners, and even a hallway

Wood is kinda our thing; after all, we have been working with it for twenty years, but while it has been mainly cabinets, we are excited to see an increased interest in wood countertops. More and more homeowners are looking to select sustainable materials in their design, and wood countertops are one way to do that.