The Comeback Of Oak

Design Notes

When you think of oak cabinetry, what do you envision? Probably a kitchen in an older home with lighter-toned cabinets and all of the “typical oak” graining showing on every door and drawer. We have indeed torn out many of these older-style oak kitchens to complete updated remodels in our clients’ homes. However, due to recent techniques we’ve developed for treating this durable wood, oak is making a comeback. We will be featuring it in a variety of styles in our new showroom in uptown Shelby. Oak has long been a widely used resource for cabinet building due to its hardness and strength. It contains a high level of the chemical tannin, which makes it invulnerable to insect or fungal attack. The grain of the wood makes it widely recognizable and desirable, especially when quartersawn. As you’ll see here, the species can encompass many different styles.

Victorian

Organic shapes and spiral flowing details are hallmarks of the Victorian furniture style. While most of the cabinetry we build and the accents we use are rectangular, we can incorporate carvings, corbels, onlays, and decorative posts to achieve the Victorian look. Glass and mirrored doors are often used in this style. We can now design and cut any door shape on our CNC machine, creating endless design combinations. We used to be limited to rectangular shapes, but using the latest technology, we can now develop softer curves and gliding lines that fit into the Victorian designs.

Traditional

This has been the most popular style in the Walker Woodworking customer service area for many years. Neutral stain colors are most commonly used in this style, but neutral paints have become more popular in recent years. Thicker moldings, a few touches of ornamental details, and raised paneled doors and drawers are staples of this design style. Although we don’t do very many projects like this these days, it is still a timeless classic style.

Industrial

As the name implies, this style is characterized by its practical look and use. These cabinets are designed with ultimate functionality in mind, not necessarily decorative appeal. For our cerused oak industrial cabinets, we let the grain and finish speak for itself, not using elaborate moldings and ornamentation. Oftentimes, slab doors and drawer fronts will be utilized, not unlike what you often see on utilitarian lockers or workbenches.

Cerused-oak-custom-cabinets-LED-lighiting - Young

Transitional

This is a recently evolving style that has developed through the years as a blending of traditional elements and cleaner, more modern designs. Cerused oak fits well into this style since many consumers already associate oak cabinetry with being a traditional design element. We’ll use simple door and drawer styles mostly when building this style, but can dress it up with ornate hardware, or dress it down with sleek handles. See more of this project here.

grey beverage center with hardwood floors

Contemporary

Everything about this design style says simple, straightforward, simple. Slab doors and drawers are a hallmark of this look, but not required. When using cerused oak in this way, the grain and coloring used speak for themselves. White is a popular color choice, as well as the other end of the spectrum, with extremely dark color selections. There are no curves to be seen in this style; hard edges reign supreme, letting the colors and textures speak for themselves. When we use cerused oak in this style, the grain adds an extra level of detail and makes this widely seen style feel fresh again.

9 Steps That Go Into Building Custom Cabinets

When homeowners see a finished kitchen or a built-in cabinet system, it’s easy to focus on the design’s beauty. The wood grain, the paint color, or the hardware. But behind every custom cabinet is a detailed process that combines craftsmanship, precision, and thoughtful planning.

At Walker Woodworking, building custom cabinets is more than manufacturing a product—it’s about creating something tailored to a home and designed to last for decades. Here’s a step-by-step look at what goes into building a custom cabinet.

March 12, 2026/by Sierra

Custom Projects

Custom Built-Ins That Transform Unused Wall Space

Blank walls often waste valuable square footage. Many homes lack storage, even with large rooms. The issue is poor wall planning. Empty vertical areas hold untapped potential. Homeowners can transform unused wall space into functional storage with custom-built-ins. In many places, open floor plans are common.

February 26, 2026/by Sierra

Custom Projects

Reeded Cabinetry in Style: A Masterpiece of Texture & Craftsmanship

At Walker Woodworking, we’re always thrilled to see our custom cabinetry shine in beautifully designed spaces — especially when paired with visionary designers and thoughtful construction teams. One standout example is the Reeded Cabinetry in Style project, a kitchen that seamlessly blends texture, warmth, and timeless design.

February 12, 2026/by Sierra

Consumer Information

How Cabinets Are Made

How are kitchen and bath cabinets made? Until you started shopping around for cabinets, you probably didn’t realize there are various methods for building cabinets and several material options.

January 29, 2026/0 Comments/by Sierra

Walker Woodworking

Design Notes

Maximizing Pantry Storage Without Sacrificing Style

Maximizing pantry storage begins with recognizing how often the pantry is used throughout the day. Because it supports cooking, snacking, meal planning, and restocking, its layout directly affects daily rhythm.

January 15, 2026/by Sierra