Custom Cabinets – Experience the Depth and Sophistication of Paint Distressing
In previous weeks, we’ve touched on painted cabinets in our discussions focused on how physical distressing techniques lend character to various wood species including maple and cherry wood cabinets. This week, our focus shifts to paint distressing which employs a time-honored artistry where layers of paint are carefully applied to add depth and beauty to the finish of custom cabinets.
What is paint distressing?
Unlike physical distressing, which involves the wearing a way of new surfaces to achieve a weathered or aged look, paint distressing is actually the addition of more paint; not simply adding a coat of paint, but strategically applying it by hand to create unique designs, add depth and sophistication, and to provide a fine furniture finish.
Paint Distressing Techniques
As you can see, there are many effects you can achieve with paint distressing and if you go online today, you can find a lot of how to articles that make it look easy.
Can I paint distress my own existing kitchen cabinets?
The short answer is: yes, of course, you can paint your own cabinets. If you have cabinets that are structurally intact and you simply want to change the color scheme and brighten up your space, a layer of paint can do wonders.
However, creating a paint distressed look takes a discerning eye and 'touch'. It’s not about simply adding paint – it’s using lighter and darker shades 'along sometimes with the existing surface' to create character and a blend reminiscent of wornness; and the key here is that this wornness appears to have occurred randomly ‘only’ through the passage of time. It’s about adding paint in certain areas and leaving others untouched. It’s about sealing the cabinet when complete so that the paint doesn’t chip and flake (not something you want to see in a clean, eating area). And it’s about pulling off all of these things – minus the do-it-yourself brush strokes, drip marks and smudges – while not making it look like you’re trying to make the cabinet look it was done professionally.
In other words, it may very well take a professional craftsman with a lot of practice to do it just right and one that uses proper materials and techniques to finish your custom cabinets.
Price as a Consideration
Today, distressed custom cabinets are made affordable in a new class of cabinetry, Crossroads Custom Cabinetry; available at Webinetry.com, these luxury features traditionally reserved for the affluent, are made standard. Some of the various paint distressing techniques include:
• Burnishing - A stain technique used on edges and profile to darken the finish giving the look of having been burned.
• Hand Padding - A technique by which paint is blotted on the stained or painted surface with a cloth to create a sun faded look which occurs over time.
• Speck Distressing Cow Tailing - A paint technique where paint is flicked across the surface producing random specks/splats on the stained or painted surface. Also known as Fly Speck.
Learn more about paint distressing techniques available in Crossroads Custom Finishes.
Crossroads Custom Cabinetry redefines the U.S. cabinet industry by making premium quality, custom cabinets widely available at greatly reduced prices. Crossroads' team of professionals are dedicated to empowering the home improvement consumer community with superior products at factory direct prices. Webinetry.com is a completely new channel ushering in a new era for the way today's American consumer can research, preview, budget, and finalize their cabinet purchasing decisions online.