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When it comes to the look of your cabinets, the best thing you can do is
look—in magazines, in a designer’s showroom, and on Cabinets.com. Compile a
kitchen wish book by stuffing a folder with photos, drawings, descriptions, and
lists of what you want in your new cabinets.
Don’t be afraid to include what you really don’t like as well; it definitely
helps to know what elements you’d like to avoid. Take your “scraps” to a
kitchen designer who can help you sort them out and select a cabinet with your
favorite features.
When it comes to looks, consider four important questions:
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What general styles do I
like—contemporary, traditional, country or Old World?
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What is the architectural
style of my home? Do I want my cabinetry to reflect this style?
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What are some of the door
styles and materials that I like? Do I prefer a minimal stainless steel
slab door or an ornate raised cathedral panel? Am I drawn to the richness
of cherry or the natural look of alder?
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What kind of specialty
finishes—like glazes, distressing, or painting—appeal to me?
When choosing material:
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If you prefer:
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Then choose:
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The beauty of wood
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Wood veneer or a solid wood with a stain or clear finish
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A range of colors to choose from and a smooth texture
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Paint, polyester, or plastic laminate
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A distressed or antique look
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Rubbed paint or solid wood with a stain covered by a glaze
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A modern and sleek look
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Polyester or stainless steel
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If you’re trying to decide on which natural wood you prefer. Ask yourself:
What grain do I like?
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If you prefer:
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Then choose:
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A hardwood with a tight grain and a strong pattern that darkens when
exposed to light, unless it’s coated with a dark stain
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Cherry
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A light hardwood with a tight grain and less noticeable pattern
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Maple
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A light hardwood with an open grain and striped pattern
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Oak
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A softwood with an open grain, a strong pattern, and random knots, around
which the color will change
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Pine
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When considering what finish you’d like to use on wood, ask yourself: Do I
want a clear finish that will allow the natural changes in the wood to show
through over time or do I want to stain the wood in its natural color to lock
that shade in?
Keep in mind that over time, all woods, stains, and paints are subject to
changes in color due to environmental factors, such as exposure to ultraviolet light.
Ask a cabinet dealer to show you a sample that’s been aged six months to a year
and compare it to a brand new one.
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