The Finishes We Use (And Why)

We hand-finish every project we do. Cabinets, drawers, built-ins. Whether it’s a natural stain or a bold paint, it’s all done by hand. Not because we think it’s the only way, or even the “best” way, it’s just what aligns with how we work and what we believe in. And if you’re curious, here’s why.

Let’s talk about finishing: paint, stain, clear coat. Not the “run it through a booth and call it done” kind, but the kind that involves a brush in hand, time on the clock, and a very real relationship with the wood in front of you.

We Like Knowing What’s in the Air (and on Your Cabinets)

Let’s start with spray finishes. There’s a place for them — they’re fast, smooth, and efficient. But they often require serious gear to do safely: full spray booths with air exchange systems, respirators, and chemical-handling protocols.

That’s because many spray coatings contain things like isocyanates (in 2K polyurethanes) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can be hazardous to the person spraying them, especially without full protection. They can also off-gas into the home while curing, depending on the product.

Now, we’re not saying every spray finish is unsafe. For example, some low-VOC, water-based options are improving. But personally? We don’t want to work with chemicals that require a hazmat suit to apply. And we definitely don’t want them curing in a baby’s room.

Brushstrokes Feel Human

This part is 100% opinion, and I’m okay with that: I love the look of a hand-painted surface.

There’s something about visible brush marks — subtle, intentional strokes, that feels grounded. It doesn’t look sprayed-on perfect. It looks crafted. In luxury spaces, I actually think that’s part of the appeal. You can see that someone slowed down to do it. There’s texture. Movement. A signature.

And yeah, it takes more time. But that’s sort of the point.

Melamine & Laminates: Clean Look, Complicated Story

Melamine and laminates are everywhere in the industry. It’s cost-effective and looks sharp. It’s made by thermally fusing a resin-impregnated paper layer onto particleboard. But here’s the thing: the resins used in most melamine panels are urea-formaldehyde based, which means they can off-gas formaldehyde over time. Especially when cut or heated.

Again, it’s legal, it’s regulated, and it’s not necessarily dangerous, but it’s not what we personally want in a space where people eat, sleep, or store everyday things.

It’s About Values, Not Superiority

To be clear, we’re not knocking anyone who sprays, uses melamine or laminates. A lot of incredible makers use both. Some of the most efficient, successful cabinet shops run on spray booths. That’s their way, and it works for them.

For us, hand-finishing is part of a bigger picture: We care about material health, craftsmanship, and keeping things small-scale and personal. We like knowing we’re not breathing in (or sending home) anything questionable. We like that we can touch up a finish without needing a spray gun. We like that when a client sees their cabinets, they can see the care that went into them.

It’s not better. It’s just more us.