Hardwood Kitchen Cabinets: Natural, Stained, and Painted

When it comes to kitchen cabinetry, Real American Hardwood® absolutely nails it. The sustainable, super material’s strength, durability, workability, and excellent long-term return on investment make it a no-brainer for homeowners who want cabinets that stand the test of time. And, of course, it looks great: Whether stained or left natural, the infinite variety of grains and colors means there’s one to match your kitchen style perfectly. Hardwood also takes paint superbly, and—as the design-savvy know—one of the smartest ways to bring out the best in these different finishes is to use them together in the same space. Here are three kitchens that juxtapose wood-toned and white-painted cabinetry to stunning effect.

This Pleasanton, California, farmhouse-style residence by design-build firm Ridgecrest Designs features knockout white oak kitchen cabinetry. The tall pantry and wall cabinets are painted crisp white, while the under-counter millwork has an attention-grabbing rustic look thanks to a custom multistep finish that enhances the wood’s natural beauty. A reactive stain was followed by a soft whitewash and an ultra-matte topcoat to neutralize yellowish undertones and preserve a raw, organic appearance. Steel-mesh cabinet panels, mixed brass and bronze hardware, engineered quartz countertops, a concrete-slab-topped island, and hardwood flooring complete the sophisticated country vibe.

Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture + Interior Design’s gut renovation of a midcentury house in Austin, Texas, includes a sleek new kitchen that’s pared down and ultra-cool without feeling chilly or austere. White oak in a natural finish warms the under-counter cabinets and floor, while Benjamin Moore’s pillowy shade, Cloud Cover, softens the backsplash wall and the cabinetry on it. The Caesarstone quartz counter provides another creamy white tone, Fresh Concrete, complemented by the island’s boldly charcoal paintwork, Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams. The result: a carefully composed space that’s as calm and confident as an elegant Cubist work of art.

Classic American Shaker style gets a slightly industrialized update in a timeless San Diego, California, kitchen by Design Studio West. The oak millwork channels the original’s signature plainspoken aesthetic—with an energizing twist. Two finishes are used on the cabinetry, but in a reversal of the usual arrangement, natural wood appears above and white-painted surfaces below. The transition between them is softened by subtle textures and colors: a backsplash of subway tile in a mottled milky shade and a gray-toned natural quartzite countertop with characterful veining. A riveted-steel exhaust hood, bushed stainless-steel appliances, and honest metal pulls and handles introduce a hint of workshop grit.

Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture + Interior Design
Austin, TX
cuppettkilpatrick.com
@cuppett_kilpatrick

Design Studio West
San Diego, CA
designstudiowest.com
@designstudiowest_sd

Real American Hardwood is a registered trademark of the Real American Hardwood Coalition.