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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Painted veneer kitchen cabinets

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Expert: - 1/25/2009


Question
We cannot afford to replace the kitchen cabinets at the time, however the kitchen needs a facelift pretty badly. With income tax time we'll have a little bit to spend, maybe $1000 to $1500 to spend.  The cabinets are a wood-look veneer now and I am thinking of painting them a cream color and using a dark gel stain (or similar depending on your recommendations) to give it a somewhat darker antique look.  Our kitchen is approx. 150 sq ft, eat in style.  We are installing 16x16 (I think_I'm wondering if it's to big for our small kitchen.  I'd like to add some 6x6 accent tiles in there also) travertine-look porcelain tiles.  I am not sure as to the counter top at this time, although it needs replaced also, so any suggestions would be appreciated!  We have white appliances with brushed nickel hardware throughout the kitchen (light fixture, handles on fridge, microwave, knobs for cabinets/drawers).

Wondering if it sounds like what I want to do will work( the paint/stain combo), does it sound like good finish combinations (darkly antiqued wood, white appliances, brushed nickel hardware)?  Any suggestions you may have on counter top styles would be great too!  I'm up for tiling a new counter top as long as it's not to expensive!  Thanks so much!

Answer
Hi Beth, it sounds like it would work, but I do agree that smaller tiles in a small space will make it look bigger. You can buy some new counters quite inexpensively, if you get premade ones. Also, dark colors make a small space feel smaller, so I tend to lean towards a brighter overall look, but these are all design questions that I really can't answer for you, as everyone see's the space differently...hope that helps a little....post back if need be- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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