Cabinet finishes are important. They are a literal "finishing touch," protecting cabinets from wear-and-tear and simplifying cabinet maintenance. Finishes are also important for adding a final punctuation mark to the overall kitchen design. Distressed cabinets - also called antiqued cabinets - are a means of adding extra energy, depth and texture.

What Does Distressed Mean?

Imagine a painted, wood cupboard that has weathered a few decades, some moves and a hearty dose of use - without being repainted. Or, perhaps it was re-painted once or twice - but years have passed since the last coat dried. Corners and edges are especially worn and the middle sections of the door frame and body panels might have peeling, missing or worn patches as well. There are bare-wood spots, faded spots and areas where older paint layers show through newer layers.

This is a quintessential example of what distressed or antiqued cabinets replicate - but in a brand-new form. While they're typically used in traditional and farmhouse kitchen designs, distressed finishes also add an eclectic or textured vibe in a modern kitchen, so they're quite versatile.

In the world of Chicago kitchen remodeling, we create a distressed look using a base-coat of paint and covering it with a glaze. The glaze creates that streaked or "distressed" appearance, making the cabinets look a more weathered and worn than they are. The glaze is typically chosen to complement a color found in the kitchen countertop or elsewhere in the kitchen design to add a bit of continuity. It can also be used to add warmth in an all-white kitchen. Using a "crackled" finish is another method for adding a distressed look to kitchen or island cabinets.

Adding Distressed Cabinets to Your Chicago Remodeling Plan

The following are all ways distressed cabinets can be used in your upcoming kitchen remodel:

• Add a traditional or old-world feel. In this example, your distressed cabinets will be another traditional feature - in addition to furniture-style cabinetry, wood accents and a neutral color palette.
  
  
• A more worry-free kitchen. Families and serial-chefs are some of the biggest fans of distressed cabinets because they can hide a world of wear-and-tear and prevent smudges from food, fingers or pet noses from standing out.
  
  
• To soften an all-white kitchen. All-white kitchen designs are always popular, but they can come across as a bit sterile or cold, if you aren't careful. Also, because all that white blurs the cabinet contours, the kitchen can appear flat or lacking in texture. Even a very light glaze can make a remarkable difference - adding warmth and definition - without taking away from a light, airy look.
  
  
• As a transition. Let's say you're torn between modern and traditional design accents. There's no need to choose. Transitional kitchens incorporate both and antiquing your cabinets can add a traditional element to modern cabinet designs or a kitchen that has an abundance of sleek features and finishes.

These are several of many ways Kitchens & Baths Unlimited can help you incorporate distressed cabinets into your Chicago kitchen remodeling plans.