When Stain Wasn’t the Right Answer: A Kitchen Cabinet Transformation

The Grimes kitchen started with a plan to restain its cherry cabinets. The doors had plenty of character, and we spent time preparing them and testing stain colors. But once the samples were on the wood, the result wasn’t the look the homeowners had in mind.

Before: The Grimes kitchen’s original cherry cabinets, ready for a new finish.

That’s something you can’t always settle by looking at a color chart. Wood takes stain in its own way, and the best way to judge a finish is to see it on the actual cabinets. After looking at the samples together, we changed direction and decided to paint.

That meant more prep, primer, and a new finish plan. We worked through the doors, drawers, and cabinet frames, then sprayed the pieces for a smooth satin finish. The goal was a clean, consistent look that still felt right for the kitchen.

The finished cabinets gave the room a whole new feel. I’m especially proud of the finish on the doors and drawers—it has that smooth, factory-style appearance we were aiming for.

After: The same Grimes kitchen, finished in a smooth satin cabinet paint.

A good cabinet project isn’t about forcing the original plan to work. It’s about paying attention to what the customer wants to see in their home and doing the work it takes to get there.

Thinking about refinishing your cabinets? The Cabinet Painter serves Jeffersonville, New Albany, Clarksville, and Louisville. We’d be glad to talk through the look you’re after and the finish that makes sense for your cabinets.

Quality finishes — the old-fashioned way.