Corbin Clay

Most homeowners don’t think about cabinet door style until it’s time to sign a proposal. That’s when the questions begin: inset or full-overlay? Which looks more high-end? Which holds up better over time? After years in the shop building both, I can tell you neither style is universally better. Each one brings its own benefits, limitations, and long-term realities that homeowners should understand before choosing. Inset (top) has the doors and drawer fronts sitting within the face frame,...

Stained cabinetry is making a strong return and for good reason. When it is done well, the result is rich, warm, and full of natural depth. But while homeowners often pay close attention to cabinet box materials, hardware, and layout, the finish—the part you see and touch every day—rarely gets the focus it deserves. In many cases, that is because the professionals they are working with either do not fully understand the finishing process or, worse, do not care enough to do it right. In our...

One of the most common questions we see in our Ask A Cabinetmaker Facebook group is how to achieve the natural white oak look . It’s a...