Reader Christine asked:

I have plain stark white shaker style cabinets in my shabby chic designed kitchen and would like to know the best way to make them blend into the style. I have a worn red barn wood accent wall behind my stove and a large antiqued turquoise pantry and white bead board on the walls.
Thanks for any advice you can give!

The interior painting experts at CertaPro Painters of Wachusett/Nashoba, MA say:

Hi Christine,
Love that barn wood accent wall!

There are a few things that you could do to your cabinets to help them look a little more vintage, but that all depends on what material they are. If they are painted wood, you could always antique them with a darker stain. You can Google how to do that or hire a professional company (like us!) to do so. It is essentially a dark stain that is rubbed on and then wiped off leaving the darker color in the “nook and crannies”. If you have some painting experience and aren’t afraid to try it yourself, I would suggest making sure you get water-based paints and try it on the inside of one door. This way, if you do not like it, you can just wipe it off before it dries.

Remember to finish with a protective finish of some sort. If your cabinets are a melamine or other synthetic material, I would avoid paint or stain until you consult with a professional. Another option would be to add hardware to the cabinets. It’s a nice way of making them appear less “stark.” Try accessorizing with aged bronze or hardware that looks like vintage silverware. You seem to have an eclectic and artsy style, so have fun with it!

For more information on cabinet refinishing and repainting, contact CertaPro Painters® of Wachusett/Nashoba, MA