Painted Cabinetry

We’ve spent quite a lot of time talking about how to choose the perfect paint color. Now it’s time to discuss the perfect paint application. In the Jewett Farms + Co. finish department our team works hard to ensure that whatever finish is being applied to our cabinetry, its execution is perfect.

Before we even start applying the final color, every piece of cabinetry is sanded, primed, sanded again, primed again, sanded again, and only then does the final color application begin. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that the end product will be both durable and beautiful.

We offer two paint application options, a sprayed finish, and a handpainted finish. Each has its advantages, we take a deeper look into when to spray and when to brush

What are the differences?

A professionally hand-painted finish is the gold standard of a traditional kitchen. Hand-painted cabinetry looks as though it was built in place, this method is more labor-intensive and requires a level of experience that can be hard to come by. Hand-painting gives a truly custom final product. As with any handcrafted product, the mark of the artist remains and there may be some visible brush strokes, so the look is a little more classic and less contemporary.

A sprayed finish is uniform and consistent. The end result should look silky and perfectly smooth. In order to achieve this the spray-gun wielder must be an experienced professional. A sprayed finish is ideal for a modern design especially because it can create a high gloss finish or a perfectly even matte finish, and has the perfect look for a contemporary flat-paneled cabinet.

Pros and Cons

In some instances the choice between sprayed and hand painted finishes is clear, and in others you’ve got to weigh the pros and cons.

Durability: Hand-painted Sprayed
Hand-painted cabinetry has been around for a reason, it lasts. There is slightly more paint applied by brush and it is, therefore, more immune to small chips and the rigors of daily kitchen life.

Fixability: Hand-painted Sprayed
No matter how careful one tries to be in a brand-new kitchen, over time things get damaged. Small touch-ups are a lot easier to do yourself on hand-painted cabinetry. Make sure your cabinets come with a color-matched touch-up kit. Need some tips on how to DIY cabinet touch-ups? Our lead finisher Gene will walk you through it.

High Sheen: Hand-painted Sprayed
If you’re looking for a shiny high gloss kitchen then spray is the way. It’s nearly impossible to create a smooth and consistent high gloss finish with a paintbrush. High gloss is notoriously challenging and a sprayed finish is the best way to achieve glossy perfection.

Indecision: Hand-painted Sprayed
If you want the option of changing your mind, definitely choose a hand-painted finish. Hand-painted cabinets can be painted right on top of the existing finish with a new color. Because while we can be pretty confident that your JF cabinetry will last a lifetime, everyone has the right to change their mind, especially about color.

Perfection: Hand painted Sprayed
All wood moves and some wood species move more than others. Maintaining perfect humidity levels in your home is not always realistic, and hairline cracks are relatively common in painted cabinetry. Hand-painted cabinets show these tiny cracks less and, as mentioned before, are far easier to repair.

Thoughts from the pros

JF lead designer Paula Accioly has some thoughts on the different kinds of painted cabinet finishes.
“In terms of style, I love to see the actual brush strokes. A hand-painted cabinet resembles a piece of furniture and gives a sense of luxury to a kitchen. I see this as a more transitional or traditional design aesthetic, but I do tend to recommend a sprayed finish for contemporary kitchens. But for a classic kitchen I really love hand-painted cabinetry, it adds character”

Need help?

We are here for you. Our gorgeous Boston Design Center showroom has full JF kitchens in both sprayed finish, and hand-painted as well as stains and tints – we didn’t even get into those! Our designers are knowledgeable in all areas of cabinet finish and will help you choose the right one for your new kitchen.