I love making furniture and always trying new items to make. Lately I have been "challenged" to make furniture pieces that don't look like they came from the 1950s. Not that it's bad furniture, but it has a 50s look, which not everyone likes .. so what can be done to upgrade the look. Well, in cabinetry we can simply change the doors as that is often the bulk of what people see.
To prove my point, I have added some shots of kitchen cabinets that are quite old, maybe not back to the 50s but certainly in the 60s where all th wood is the same species and same color, someone said to me "It looks like they have been spray painted". So today I have worked on some ideas that can change that and seriously looking for other people's opinions and ideas.
The cabinet is a simple cabinet often called a "whiskey cabinet" built in the somewhat style of Jame Krenov. Basically a cabinet on a stand with 2 doors and often one shelf inside to place ... what have you, books, whiskey, heirloom dishes, collectable items and more.
Below is my attempt at creating what it the appearance of actual "barn wood" complete with aged wood. To be honest, I am not in love with it. I have tried this technique on smaller pieces that I though turned out very well, but this larger version is not quite there yet, I think I need a new background color and thicker paint ... but there you have it, a work in progress.
The versions below are more of idea trappings. A whiskey cabinet might end up in a "man cave" or home bar or other similar location ... so what things could you do to enhance the doors of the cabinet. Again, I am not really in love with this but hopefully other people can add ideas where my initial attempt could be morphed into something more attractive.
Despite the fact that I love old wood, I think this one looks the best. I felt that the actual barn wood, or in this case old fence boards were a bit too dark, a lighter tone would work better for this I think ... and I have some lighter wood, I may re-try this at a later date.
And the simple reason I can re-try different inserts, is these little hold-down pieces. I called them standoffs in the video but I don't think that is a proper name for them ... regardless they work great for quickly being able to change door insersts with almost anything, including clear or colored glass ... another idea I have not tried.
I wanted to show something new I am trying with the shelves in this cabinet, these rounded pieces are simply cut from where I cut a hole in a block of wood, then cut it 4 pieces, simple but effective. The little squre pieces are to ensure the shelf will not slide out easily but can be lifted out.
Tell me in the video your ideas, suggestions and whatever, I am really looking forward to see what the consense is on what kinds of door panels people like to see and work with.
Colin Knecht
woodworkweb
