Mine have only been in a year, but they have not noticablly darkened. My father is a hobby woodworker and he told me that it would amber slightly making it darker. I went with a natural finish to keep them from getting too dark.

Does QS make a difference? I don't see that it would. FWIW, here is my experience with oak panelling.

I can tell you that our oak panelling has darkened significantly over the maybe 30 years it has been in place. 10 years ago we removed a closet which had been built when the family room was built--maybe 20 years before.

The panelling inside the closet was nearly as pale as new cut oak. The panelling in the room that had been exposed to light was the typical golden oak color, very noticeably darker.

In the kitchen, on an oak wall, a light fixture was removed before we bought the house 20 years ago. I can still see the paler circle on the panelling.

I would predict it will definitely darken, but slowly.

I do wonder if there are any finishes that protect from this light-related darkening. A question for the best paint store you can find.

Thanks Bells and Senator for weighing in. I'd love to see some pics of QS oak cabs in a natural finish. Or in any finish/stain, fwiw.

Maybe I'll go check Houzz. If you have a pic of yours, though, Senator, I'd be interested in seeing it!

I thought these cabs were especially gorgeous.

Here is a link that might be useful: QS oak kitchen

Oh yes, I recognize Senators kitchen now. Those cabs ARE beautiful!

Thanks for finding that thread, Bellsmom.

I just took a picture of the kitchen for comparision. Now, keep in mind that most of the pictures from the link were taken in the afternoon in August, when the kitchen gets the most sun. Even still, I don't see much of a difference between August 2011 and November 2012.

I've had my rift cut white oak cabinets for about a year and also don't notice much, if any, darkening. QS is lovely, but take a look at rift cut if you're going for a little more modern look.

Hey Lisa, I'd love it you could post a pic of your cabs. Do like rift cut oak, for sure.

Is your finish natural or a stain? Anyway, a pic with the details would be great!

White oak is one of the woods that will oxidize to black given enough time and air exposure. (can't speak to red oak...)
But if you keep the air away, like under a finish, then it keeps a very consistent color longer. Oak is not prone to sun-darkening as cherry is famous for doing.
The finish on the wood can change color. Oil varnish is noteworthy for yellowing(ambering?) and old-formula lacquers would often go greenish.
I finished my own white oak cabinets, and used pore filler, gel stain, shellac, and a single wiped-on top coat of gel varnish for wear. This was done in 2006 and I can't say I detect any darkening yet.

Casey

I have a QS oak dining room set from the 1930's. I'm pretty sure it has "patina-ed" to a darker shade over the years. My QS oak kitchen cabinets have more what I would call a medium stain that match the darker wood shades that are already in the home. In another 80 years they will probably have a much darker color too. :)
BTW, I love my QS oak.

Well, maybe I'll need to use a stain as I'm pretty sure I don't have 80 years to wait anymore :)

We have a natural stain. Don't have pics but here's my inspiration pics from Houzz.

Here is a link that might be useful: white oak kitchen

Oooops
Lets try that again.

We alsp went with white uppers and natural rift white oak lowers

Here is a link that might be useful: [white oak kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~81457)

Lisa0527 thank you so much for that link. I have been on Houzz forever looking at kitchens and cant believe I hadnt seen this one. This will certainly be inky inspiration folder.

Uh, yes Lisa. That pic instantly reminded of this pic and now the design trolly just jumped it's tracks... in a good way, methinks. Thanks for posting that.

This was almost my very first inspiration pic:

I still love it.