Sounds like a kind of non traditional color stain. Rather than oak/cherry/fruitwood/walnut/etc., those sound like actual colors---green/white/tan/etc. Kind of like a milk paint stain.

As to the DIY part---stains of all kinds are not difficult to apply. Sometimes getting the desired effect is troublesome---especially when using a different type of wood. For instance, the same dye on birch looks totally different on hard maple. And some woods take stain well, others blotch.

It also depends on the finish you want to use over the stain. If the stains are water based, using a water based finish can lift the stain, even after the stain has totally dried.

handymac - "Milk Paint Stain" sounds like the perfect description. I was thinking about playing around with it on an unfinished door or two. Is this kind of stain something I could actually purchase? (My only painting experience is one bathroom in our house and watercolors with my daugheter!)

I looked up the info about that line---the colors are probably only used by the company and not sold anywhere else. This kind of proprietary use is quite common for furniture companies.

There are similar finishes made for sale to the general public. The company listed below is quite respected in the industry. It and other products are sold at WoodCraft(a woodworking store chain) and some hobby stores.

You will need to experiment to get the tone you want---mixing the milk paint colors with a compatible thinner/finish.

Here is a link that might be useful: general finishes

Thanks handymac. Should a rookie attempt this? I won't be in a big hurry to finish the cabinets but I don't know if I would be satisfied with the result. I guess I won't know until I try.

Practice on scrap until you get the method down pat.

What jon said. The mixing/practicing process is one that needs to be well organized.

First, keep track of how much stain is mixed with what volume of thinner. Use small amounts for testing---teaspoon/tablespoon/etc.

Then---using scraps(I cut several pieces about 6" long and 2" wide---that gives you four surfaces for testing) record how much product is applied and how long---wiped off immsdiately/left 5 minutes/etc.

Once you find a color you like, apply at least two coats of the finish you will use. Some finishes(oil based and some shellacs) change the color.

Then it is just a matter of figuring out the asmount of stain and the amount of thinner to get enough product to use on the cabinets.

Thanks for the info jon and handymac! I am going to take my time and see if I can figure out how to do it.