Staining a custom drawer front for the kitchen cabinets.
Paul is not making or staining the fronts for the kitchen drawers… he built the internal cabinet boxes and we ordered custom fronts to fit his design.
Here is the post where he built the boxes.
Here is an index of all kitchen posts.
We are going with “real” stain on “real” wood… fyi: when shopping for fronts, there is an option for a pre-finished type of coating that is different than traditional stain and can be used to cover pressed wood.. or something?
Once we chose a type of wood and door style, we did a preliminary order of just one— to be sure we liked the specific design and also the grain on Walnut… we like both, and have placed the full order!
For the fridge panels, we are going white… to keep that space bright/light/consistent with window trim and molding, and not draw attention to the refrigerator… let it all blend into the wall.
Then I had to find a stain guy… stain is an art form and is the ONLY thing we have PAID someone for… previously, to sand and stain the kitchen floor.
The most important factor in finding a stain guy is to make sure they have a greeter.
Obviously.
The first visit to the stain guy, our choice was too dark… we liked it in the shop, but we were looking at it in very direct bright light; once home/ vertical plane/ shadows/ it wasn’t right…
The photo below is the wrong side/inside of the door.
At our initial visit, I took a piece of the Narnia wardrobe and used this thing called WORDS to explain how I wanted 7.26% more red, and 3.57% brighter… and was reminded that all WORDS will get you is Paul and the stain guy, taking turns stainsplaining how I am an idiot moron who does not understand wood.
Which, for sure, I don’t.
What I DO understand, is that with the correct effort, everything can be bent to your will, and I will prove this again and again as many times as necessary.
WATCH AND LEARN DUDES.
The second visit, I prepared differently— words are useless, show don’t tell; so I took a piece of wood that I colored myself in my stain-laboratory-of-perfection-and-genuis-and-mixing-with-eyedroppers.
I CAN DO IT.
CAN YOU?
There are actually three different shades on this sample, the middle one is slim and maybe hard to see… I struggled to get a good photo that shows the difference.
It looks brighter or darker depending on lighting, but the shade is EXACTLY what lived in my head.
FYI this is not what finished drawers will look like… the actual process involves sanding after stain and couple coats of something something blah blah.
Random fact— sometimes I walk into the kitchen and dance an ACTUAL jig… this space brings me SUCH ABSOLUTE JOY.
For me, the glee of my best GFT’s* does not fade… it’s like I STILL COVET them, even though I own them.
IT’S SO VERY SATISFYING.
My precious.
*Giant Fancy Things
Gilt sconces are here.
Huge mirror is here.
Small mirror here.
Piano island here.
ps— LIFE PRO TIP:
Sometimes I see something I MUST HAVE, but cannot afford… I go and save a search for that item on eBay.
It RARELY shows up, but when it does, CRASHING CYMBALS. MARCHING. TUBA SOLO. FRINGE.
xoxo
VEB
August 26, 2020 @ 11:56 am
It’s going to be beautiful! I can’t wait to see it finished.
September 28, 2021 @ 3:35 pm
I hope you are well. Your corner of the internet is always an exciting place!
August 26, 2020 @ 12:03 pm
Oh, WOW!!!! It is going to be so beautiful!!! Finishing this job will be sweet, sweet, sweet for you guys because you know exactly what went into it!
August 26, 2020 @ 12:04 pm
Your posts always make my day!
August 26, 2020 @ 12:08 pm
I hesitate to ask this – but have you considered the effect of putting a couple coats of blah blah, on the color?
August 26, 2020 @ 12:41 pm
Your uncompromising stance in having things just the way they exist in your mind fortifies me to stay the course. I’m sure previous contractors cringe at the thought of working with me again. There were very few who saw the light. I dream of having someone like Paul though!
August 26, 2020 @ 1:43 pm
“We are going with “real” stain on “real” wood… fyi: when shopping for fronts, there is an option for a pre-finished type of coating that is different than traditional stain and can be used to cover pressed wood.. or something?” FYI, stain, as the name implies, doesn’t cover anything. The wood absorbs it and so becomes stained.
August 27, 2020 @ 11:54 am
OMG, Nightcrawler stopped by to mansplain ‘stain’.
August 26, 2020 @ 1:43 pm
I applaud your vision and style, but waiting THIS LONG to have a finished kitchen would make me insane. 🙂
August 26, 2020 @ 1:59 pm
Wow, I love your eyedropper stain color!
And 💕at the greeter. I always said that the sole use of a golden retriever as a house guardian is that forensics could get a DNA match of the slobber all over the accused’s hands.
August 26, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
I’m starting to be suspicious that this kitchen has been finished for a while but you’re drawing it out for blog purposes. I could never live in a construction zone for YEARS! More cats and kittens, please! I came here for Elvis and got hooked on the GFT searches. I need more cats and I’m allergic so I can’t have any of my own.
August 26, 2020 @ 2:52 pm
There are no-hair cats that people who are alleergic to cat hair can have.
I forget the name…….
August 26, 2020 @ 3:18 pm
Siberian, I think. They have hair vs. fur .
August 27, 2020 @ 4:33 am
Scottish rag doll
August 29, 2020 @ 3:56 pm
Yes, some Siberian breeders will actually test for the enzyme that causes allergies. They’re not cheap but sometimes you can get a retired breeder for less. I prefer to adopt also but if this is your only option…
August 26, 2020 @ 2:50 pm
LOVE THAT STAIN COLOR! It looks Purpleish…..
August 26, 2020 @ 2:55 pm
Staining Is an Art form. The time the stain is left on the wood is very important, as is how much you apply, and how much pressure you use in wiping it off. You are not crazy, they are!
August 26, 2020 @ 4:03 pm
This has been a LOOOONG time coming. Which is precisely why you can have nice things, and I cannot.
Or rather, not AS nice…I just don’t have it in me to work through the details to the level that you do. But I do love to read all about it and pretend for a moment here or there that I could do what you do if I tried. (Yeah right!!!!) I love savoring every minute decision with you on this journey.
August 26, 2020 @ 6:27 pm
Smile of the day. Love when a dog “mouths” you, sign of affection and a happy dog. BLESSINGS TO YOU! YOU HAVE CONQUERED MANSPLAINING IN AT LEAST THE STAINSPLAINING DEPARTMENT.
I bow.
August 26, 2020 @ 6:36 pm
Now how does one find a “stain guy?”
August 26, 2020 @ 8:00 pm
Wood becomes slightly darker over decades, if that’s a consideration.
August 26, 2020 @ 9:05 pm
So satisfying when you finally bring something from your mind’s eye into reality
August 26, 2020 @ 11:02 pm
Never has more thought gone into one kitchen. I wish I had your patience. I’ve no doubt it will be worth every single minute you’ve put into it.
August 27, 2020 @ 6:13 am
I just love your posts!
August 27, 2020 @ 7:54 am
So glad to see you and Paul are inching every closer to having a completed kitchen. The path and process have been fascinating (and a little nerve-racking) to watch. Thrilled you found a stain expert to live up to your dreams! And the big plus is their greeter is wonderful…
August 27, 2020 @ 9:10 am
Beautiful door fronts choice! Walnut is interesting to color however, you’re smart to be uber picky. It can head toward purple, or the other way, green, really fast. It’s the natural tones in walnut that cause it. You’re eye will catch it, I have no doubts! And hopefully you’re checking all of this against your floor color as well, so they can “live together” nicely. Can’t wait to see it all done!