The original cabinets in this 1970s home had been coated with many layers of paint over the years, which left the doors and frames looking heavy, uneven, and difficult to refresh. The cabinet boxes themselves were still structurally sound, so instead of removing everything, the homeowners chose a cabinet facelift that would preserve the layout while completely transforming the look and function.

To bring the kitchen in line with their vision, we installed new maple Shaker doors finished in a rich Portabella stain. This stain highlights the natural grain of the maple and adds warmth and depth, creating a timeless, updated look that still feels appropriate to the age and style of the home. To ensure a seamless appearance, we veneered the cabinet face frames in matching material and finish, so the frames and new doors work together as a unified, furniture‑quality installation rather than separate pieces.

Functionality was just as important as appearance. We removed all of the original drawer boxes and installed new solid wood dovetail drawers with upgraded glides, dramatically improving both durability and day‑to‑day use. We also added new roll‑out trays in key base cabinets, making it much easier to access stored items without reaching into the back of deep shelves. In the open shelf cabinet, the roll‑outs were custom built in walnut, intentionally selected to coordinate with the surrounding finishes and provide a more cohesive, built‑in look..

The homeowners had existing bookshelves in the space that they wanted to repurpose in another room. We carefully removed those shelves for reuse elsewhere and replaced them with new built‑in shelving that matches the updated cabinetry. The new shelves tie directly into the Portabella‑stained maple, creating a continuous, integrated look across the kitchen and adjacent areas while giving the homeowners both a refreshed kitchen and usable storage in another part of the home.