Add wire screens to the face of your cabinets to give them a more contemporary look.
Reused glass gives these cabinets a whimsical touch.
By Susan Wasinger
Changing kitchen cabinets can have a dramatic effect. But new cabinets are expensive and often cheaply made of questionable materials—glues and preservatives and plastics that can harm the environment and your health. They’re resource-intensive, too—forests of hardwoods fall each year to keep up with the American appetite for the new and different in the field of decorating.
Finding new doors for existing cabinets is an old idea with a new twist. Frame-style doors use relatively little wood and give you the opportunity to recycle materials creatively to put your own decorating style in your kitchen. Here are 5 different materials that can be creatively and easily inserted into existing door frames for a custom kitchen on your own terms and budget.
1 cool wavy glass
Recycled privacy glass, once used in a bank, extends the life of these simple wood-frame cabinet doors. Old glass comes in an array of styles—remember wire grid safety glass or that frosty, bumpy glass on the principal’s door at school? Check in the phone book under “Building Materials—Used” or try architectural salvage yards or thrift stores to begin your search for the ideal glass. A glass shop can cut the glass to your specifications. The panels are best fitted in the frames using silicone caulk.
2 wire screen
For a contemporary feel, try the combination of plain light wood and metal. Wire screen, often used in manufacturing, comes in a wide assortment of materials, grid styles, and sizes. Most hardware stores carry an extensive selection. Also, try a metal wire manufacturer (check the yellow pages under “wire cloth” or “wire products”).
3 hammered tin
Many late 19th century and early 20th century buildings had ceilings of intricately patterned pressed, stamped, or hammered tin. As those buildings have been razed, a good supply of these beautiful panels can now be found at junk store/salvage yards. One possibility is to combine cabinet frames that are painted white and antiqued with this kind of trim.
4 livestock fence
For a really unique kitchen, try rabbit fence or chicken wire painted to match your cabinet frames. Frequently seen in old kitchen armoires in the South of France, this low-tech, eco-friendly solution may be the perfect recipe for a highly individual kitchen on a budget.
Remember:
These cabinets have more than their fair share of character. If you have a multitude of cabinets, you can make a dramatic impact by refacing just a few of the existing cabinets.
Provided by Natural Home - http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com
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