The appeal of white wood floors—relaxed but refined, a not-too-blank canvas for showing off one's furnishings and antiques—is stymied only by a justified fear of keeping them clean.

Interior designer MaCenna Lee paints cabinets with a finish that mimics real wood texture.

"White drywall can feel stark, but not whitewashed wood or white brick, where you're keeping that texture and painting over it. I also love painting old doors and seeing the chippy old paint come ...