green bathroom with tile floors

DESIGN NOTES

MORE THAN JUST A FINISH

The first thing that is noticed in a kitchen is its cabinet finish. Whether it is paint, stain, or glaze, it can set the overall feel of the space. Each one has its benefits and particular strengths.

Paints

Painted cabinets are a popular choice in the design world because they open various color options. The tighter the wood grain, the smoother the paint finish. Coarse-grained types of wood, such as oak, will give a textured look to the finished product because the grain will be partly visible. Painted cabinets are a great way to add a contemporary touch to the kitchen, creating a sleek finish to the design. Remember that this can also be used as an accent feature for the kitchen.

Some of our clients have chosen to stain most of their cabinets and add a splash of color to the space by painting their kitchen island a complementary color. This option is a great way to combine traditional with a hint of contemporary. It is important to note that wood naturally expands with seasonal temperature changes, which can cause micro-movements in the door joints. Over time, it may seem like a minor fracture or seam at the joint, but this is a natural characteristic of painted finishes on wood. Read more about painted versus stained cabinets here.

green bathroom with tile floors

Stains

Staining is a great way to enhance the natural beauty of the wood while adding a touch of color to the design. Fans of wood grain often find staining is a great way to preserve and highlight the natural beauty of the species since it allows the grain to shine through, perfectly balancing color and texture. The finished product is cabinets that showcase the simple elegance of the grain and will retain a timeless look, making it easy to resell if desired.

It is essential to keep in mind that the lighter the stain, the more natural character of the wood will come through, so it is vital to like the wood as it is before proceeding to stain it. On the same note, a darker stain lends to a feeling of elegance and sophistication to the overall style of the design. No matter which shade of stain is chosen, it will leave you admiring the wood’s unique features.

white and brown kitchen with lights

Glazes

Depth, dimension, and texture are a few words that describe the effects of adding a glaze finish to cabinets. This type of finish is applied to cabinets once they have been stained or painted. It can add that extra pop or touch to the finished pieces and give depth to the kitchen’s overall look.

Glazing can be used to accent or highlight certain features on the cabinets, such as molding and special details. It is a great way to create a unique style that blends elegance with timelessness. Glazing never compromises the quality of the cabinets but seeks to enhance what is already present.

View our gallery to see more examples of cabinet finishes; maybe it will give you the inspiration you need for your own project.

Rubio is among the most popular finish options chosen, but what exactly is a Rubio finish, and what does it do for your cabinets? These are some of the questions we want to answer in this blog post, and we’ll also showcase a few projects completed with a Rubio finish.

We admit it: HGTV’s popular shows like Fixer Upper, Love It or List It, and Property Brothers always give us a significant renovation. A dreary, dated house is suddenly transformed into an amazing, contemporary home all within a neat, one-hour timeline. Here, we share some of the top unrealistic expectations presented in the home remodeling reality TV world and how they can lead to severe disappointments in the real world of renovation.

In the event you’ve never heard of cabinet refacing before, you may want to know what’s involved. The box and frame of your existing cabinetry are kept, and the cabinet doors and the fronts of any drawers are replaced.

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.