What Colors to Use When French Antique Glazing Kitchen Cabinets

Description

• Purchased French antique glazed kitchen cabinets are often maple with a dark brown glaze rubbed over the surface. The glaze collects in the ridges, accenting the cabinets and giving a feeling of depth to the surface. The glaze provides an aged pink color on the maple wood, creating a rustic look that complements traditional kitchens, but is also suited to contemporary or country décor.

Colors

• Although purchased French antique glazed cabinets are in a natural wood with a glaze applied, you can create the look yourself using your own color scheme. Painting the cabinets in light shades of ivory or vanilla gives a good base for your glaze. Depending on your preference, brown, gray or black glazes can be used. The glaze provides a transparent coating, revealing the light, painted color with the glaze settling in the ridges of the trim for accent.

Process

• To create the antiqued look, your cabinet doors should have some trim with ridges where the glaze can collect to accent the doors. Paint your cabinets in a light color, preferably a creamy, off-white color. Stark white will not create the antique look as well. The antique appearance comes from the glaze that you wipe over the surface. After painting your cabinets and doors the base color you have chosen, the glaze is applied to the surface with a soft rag. The intensity of the color is up to your personal taste. Wipe the glaze off or add more glaze until you achieve the color you prefer. Allow the glaze to settle in the cracks and crevices of the wood, as well as in the grooves of any trim on your cabinets. Add additional layers of glaze until you are satisfied with the look. Finish your project by applying polyurethane to seal the wood and protect it from kitchen stains.

Accents

• After you have finished painting and glazing your cabinets, the job is not yet complete. To provide the decorative look that you want, add hardware and, if possible, a new countertop. Hardware in brass or copper gives a more antique, rustic appearance. Choose a countertop that coordinates with your cabinets and appliances. With dark or stainless steel appliances, a marbled countertop creates a unified look. With lighter appliances, a dark countertop creates a good contrast to the lighter cabinets and makes them shine.