I used a local cabinetmaker for mine so I would say definitely yes to your question. Mine are not plasticky at all, probably because he didn't use a catalytic varnish (I'm not sure about whether he did or not).

We are currently considering Kraft Cabinets and Canyon Creek. both have walnut which is what we want. I think the Kraft has more stain options, but I will go with a natural finish.

good point. I think both the brands we are looking at have a finish or a veneer that is close to the natural color. Unfortunately probably full of toxins. I live in Hawaii so practically everything is shipped in - including most of the food to be cooked in this kitchen - local cabinet makers using native woods would be out of my budget.

sorry that this is an old thread but i thought i would chime in to say that the semihandmade custom doors for ikea cabinets look great in person. i went to the showroom in burbank because we are considering this option for our new build. they do have some woods that are really that plastic wood look but not the walnut.

Unfortunately, Semihandmade just discontinued walnut veneer...in case anyone's in the hunt.

No plastic here.

We make walnut doors for Ikea in a very unplasic finish. Both rift(straight grain) shown here or flat cut (with figure) .

I have received a few samples from other IKEA door customizers and they also have a slight plastic feel, but I presume that's the finish to help protect from moisture, being in a kitchen after all. My hope was to get walnut that glows from within. I forget the word. I love natural unstained wood but realized that perhaps I need just a slight bit of stain to bring out the warmer color?

To get something to truly "glow from within" you need a high build of finish. Almost like putting it under glass. A hand rubed polished oil finish can give you something like that but mostly done on solid wood.

The finishes on high end European kitchen tend to go for a natural look. Not seeing much of a film finish at all. That's what I'm showing here using the same Italian products they would use.

jdesign_gw, the samples I've received from a few different companies look like yours. I guess I just have to face facts (read: financial limitations) and give up on my quest for the warm glow!

I wasn't going for the "warm glow" thing with that sample. The tread say no plastic finish. Their samples don't look like mine in person. I know their samples I know what they use. What I'm showing there is a euro look. The "glow" thing is something different. I can do that but that's not what the sample is.

Would love to see a sample of a warm glow walnut veneer, if you're up for it. :)

I could it's just not something I can pull off the shelf . Also just finishing a few things right now that are pressing but I'll see what I can do.