Suggestion/question: Could you have her test paint a side of the cabinet box that won't be on an end? That way it'll be covered by the box that butts up against it if it's not right. I know that it will delay your finished kitchen by a few days but at least you'll be confident about the end result.

I went to my local paint store and they color matched the paint and glaze off a sample piece of cabinet I liked- I would take a door in and have them match it- Mine is the oak to cream/glazed in the finished kitchen blog and somewhere on this site-I put the formulas for the paint and glaze on there and step by step (sorry I don't know how to do the link thing)-my painter used a good brush for the trim and sprayed the door/drawer fronts-good luck- crown and trim make a huge difference- I was on a tight budget and came up w/some inexpensive upgrades- don't worry too much- you can always paint it again (use the primer I used-it was awesome!)

I've never seen brushed on paint, even oil based, that doesn't have some brush marks. As Remodelfla suggested, have the painter do a sample so you can decide whether it's acceptable. Even if you go with spray painting, it's probably not a bad idea to do a sample first to see how you like it. Good Luck.

I ordered the 12 step process that my Schuler cabinets were finished in so I could add my own trim etc.

They sent me everything (base coat, catlaysts, gloss reducer, glaze etc) that the factory uses so my pieces are identical. Maybe check the cabinet company to see if you can order the finish directly.

I definitely could not have color matched my cabinets. The base is an oyster white and the mocha glaze completely changed the color to a creamy yellowy color. I did not expect the base to be as white as it was.

Good luck

Thank you all for the great suggestions. I've since calmed down a bit, I think I was just having a panic attack b/c nothing in this project is going as planned (we bought a new home in Oct and gutted it, we are no where near finished and desperately want to be done).

Regardless, the painters came yesterday and I gave them a bookshelf that will be part of the island that is going to be hand paint for me to look at. remodelfla , I like your idea of painting the side of the cabinet better, which will ultimately be covered by an end panel, but unfortunately they came before I was able to read your comments. As cheri127 said, I too have never seen anyone paint with a brush and have no marks so I am again second guessing my decision ¼. I figure I can always sand it down again if it is not the look I want.

We put some of the paint they had matched on a piece of wood and let it dry and it matches the current base color of the cabinets really well. I am happy with the color, so at last we have that done. Now I need to figure out the glaze.

cleo_2007, great suggestion. I had tried to get all this from the cabinet manufacturer (JSI Cabinetry) but they were unable to give me anything. Apparently these are made in China and it is not available. I was my cabinet co. was like yours.

nodirthere, your kitchen is beautiful and the same look I am going for. I had come across your blog on the finished page looking around for ideas. Luckily my doors were already sprayed by the manufacturer and glazed and we like the look so we are not touching those. Only the boxes, stiles, rails, columns, trim and molding need to be painted. At least the doors will have a really nice clean finished look to them, I just want the boxes to match.

I am attempted to add pictures for you to see, but am a novice at this so it did not work. Anyone know how? Thanks again for all your help. I¡¦ll keep you posted on how things go.

I'm brushing and rolling my cabinets. Nutshell version of how to do it without marks is all in the prepping of the wood, the paint you use, quality brush and rollers, sanding techniques, neatness, and cleanliness.

Use sanding sealer, prime twice, paint three light coats and sand between all coats. Finish with Briwax, Waterlox, or Tung Oil.

I am using Richard's Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel and adding Penetrol to improve fluidity, so less brush or roller marks. The finishing is done with wet sanding in various gradations of paper to 600+ grit. You cannot tell that I hand painted these cabinets. Close your eyes and touch a factory finish and mine and you'd be very confused. My doors looked aged and as though they would feel rough; actually, the contrary is true. People just can't keep their hands off my doors they feel so good when they touch them. They look so rustic, but feel like silk.

FWIW: It's the wet sanding that makes the hugest difference and less messy. You can use wet-sanding paper or those hard green scrubby pads for 150~200 grit; then move up to the wet sanding paper. I say this because it can get pricey using the wet sanding paper between coats.

Use the higher grit papers after youÂve painted and glazed (if you use glaze or some other technique) before you do the final finish coats.

IÂm over simplifying the technique, but all of the info is here to do a good job. I might take good photos on my last doors I do.

Here is a link that might be useful: Richard's site

Here's a progress photo of paint without final finish. I'm going to use Briwax.

Sherilynn, WOW, you've done a gorgeous job. Your kitchen is amazing. I can see from the glare that you did achieve a glass like finish on the cabinet to the right of the range hood, WOW!! I don't know what else to say.

Well this does make me feel better. I'm starting to think that I could do a better job on this project myself.

I am going to practice with your technique this weekend. Thanks for all great instruction and paint webiste. IÂll let you know how I do.

p.s. what granite do you have? Is that Crema Persa?

You've received good advice so far. Have you gone to the painting forum? They have been a life saver to me.

I'm in the process of painting all the doors in our house, and have to use a combination of roller and brush (to get into all the crevices and cracks, etc). Using the right paint helps. I'm using Benjamin Moore Impervo (alkyd) and it just flows to create a very smooth finish.

Try and keep your painting area as dust free as possible and try to keep traffic away so as not to raise specs. IMHO I have to say, my finish is WAY better than anything in my home presently- never noticed all the mininscule imperfections until I was critiquing my own work.