YEAR OF VENEER: NATURAL VENEERS
Is it us, or is there change in the air?
Lately, we’ve seen a rise in Greenfield designers’ interest in the clean, organic look of Natural Veneer doors and drawer fronts for new kitchens, baths and other spaces. And, social media features continue to showcase more and more of the sleek, modern aesthetic of slab veneer styles.
Why the interest in Natural Veneers?
We feel that designers and homeowners alike are tiring of the more transitional, five-piece door style trend which has dominated for the last decade. Instead, designers are now turning to Natural Veneer (slab style) doors and drawer fronts in Full Access construction, which create a calmer, less fussy feel, and at the same time, introduce some interesting, often subtle texture. It’s like bringing the great outdoors, indoors.
SHOWN HERE: Full Access, Estridge door style, Sequence Flat Cut Cherry Veneer, Timber stain
Design by Bluestem Remodeling, St. Louis Park, MN, photo by Farmkid
What are Natural Veneers?
Natural Veneers are created from slices of wood, such as White Oak, showcasing the natural variations of weather, soil content and growing seasons of the wood’s natural habitat. Greenfield Natural Veneer doors and drawer fronts are crafted from a slice of Natural Veneer, applied to a ¾” Medium Density Fiberboard, with matching wood edge.
Greenfield Natural Veneer choices include Sequenced Cherry, Maple and Walnut in a “flat cut” slice, Designer flat cut veneers in White Oak, and a Specialty Veneer we call Textured European Oak, which is a slightly thicker slice of White Oak, with a lot of character in the form of grain pattern, natural occurring features such as knots, and a cross-grain treatment that adds more visual interest.
SHOWN HERE: Estridge door style, Designer Flat Cut White Oak Veneer, Natural (clear) finish
SHOWN HERE: Estridge door style, Textured European Oak Veneer, Barnwood stain with a Limed treatment
What is sequenced veneer?
Sequenced veneer refers to the collection of the veneer slices or “leaves.” Sequenced veneer leaves are cut, numbered and sent to Greenfield Cabinetry, where our craftspeople create the cabinet faces, all from the same tree. We even order an extra leaf or two for possible add-ons to the project, down the road.
What is flat cut veneer?
Flat cut veneer is achieved by slicing the wood parallel to a line through the center of the log, creating a combination of cathedral and straight grain patterns, revealing a lot of visual interest.
Why would a homeowner select a Natural Veneer over a five-piece, hardwood door and drawer front style?
Estridge, the Greenfield slab style Natural Veneer door offering is used to create an upscale, architectural millwork look and feel; the result is a luxurious, understated space, like the beautiful two-toned Estridge styled kitchen below.
SHOWN HERE: Kitchen Bases: Full Access, Estridge door style, Sequence Flat Cut Cherry, Timber; Kitchen Walls/Talls: Full Access, Estridge door style, Sequence Flat Cut Cherry, Custom Stain
Design by Bluestem Remodeling, St. Louis Park, MN, photo by Farmkid
What does a homeowner need to know about a Natural Veneer?
A few things: first, it’s a natural wood product. It will have natural grain variations from piece to piece, which we celebrate with our stains, not mask them. And, there are naturally occurring markings, such as mineral streaks which are not considered imperfections.
Secondly, Greenfield Natural Veneer doors and drawer fronts are grain flow matched, which means the veneer graining “flows” through the entire cabinet face, like the Estridge door and drawer front below.
SHOWN HERE: Estridge, Sequenced Flat Cut Walnut, Natural (clear) finish
Thirdly, Greenfield Natural Veneer doors and drawer fronts have a Maple/Natural backside when specified with a clear finish, or a complementary stain on the backside; however, if you wish to have the door’s backside match the front veneer and stain that can be accommodated too.
Lastly, Natural Veneer door styles are not available with a glazed stain option, because literally, there’s no place for the glaze to “hang up.” Glazing is more suitable for five-part doors and drawer fronts, where hand-applied, wet glazing can be expressed more fully.
To see the Greenfield Sequenced Flat Cut Natural Veneer choices, click here.
To see the Greenfield Designer Natural Veneer choices, click here.
To view the entire Greenfield Room Gallery, click here.
To view all Greenfield door styles, including Estridge, click here.
To visit with an authorized Greenfield dealer about Natural Veneer for your new space, click here.
Feature photo: design by Forte Design Studios, Olympic Valley, CA, photo by Christa Tippamann