The types of wood to avoid painting if your cabinets are made from them include anything that is hard maple, any open-grained woods like oak, any wood that has a lot of detail or has been damaged ...

Because the kitchen is so small, Market Street Kitchen makes only one of its desserts in-house, but it's a doozie: crème brûlée jacked up with maple syrup and rye whiskey ($7).

Q: O ur kitchen cabinets, approaching 20 years old, are solid maple with a natural finish that has yellowed over the years. We love the look of natural wood and do not want to paint them.

Q: Our kitchen cabinets, approaching 20 years old, are solid maple with a natural finish that has yellowed over the years. We love the look of natural wood and do not want to paint them.

This kitchen by Aidan Design features Wood-Mode cabinets in Pine Green, counters in Caesarstone’s Cosmopolitan White, and honey-bronze hardware. Photographs by Robert Radifera, Design by Aidan Design.

Q: My pickled maple kitchen cabinets are about 30 years old, and the doors are badly in need of refinishing. What is the best approach? Bowie A: Whether you call it pickling, whitewashing or ...