apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Maybe it's better in person, but I think it's icky.

eh, i dunno if its the floor or the countertop that has me confused.

I like it... the walnut makes the stainless steel feel so much warmer... modern... retro... perfect.

The veneer is much better than the painted look...I'd only go for the painted look if it's a simple white.

Hmm...maybe if the rest of the cabinetry was also covered in the veneer. I really don't like the lighter color showing.

Love it! But I'm an mcm type of guy.

What is making it dated is the fact that the doors are not full overlay (hinges and face frame are showing between doors). Otherwise, the veneer is wonderful. Painting the face frame a few shades darker than the wood would make it look much nicer.

I think it's all quite gorgeous together. I love the simple blacksplash and don't really even mind the nautral stone floors (usually not a fan). but I think the veneer is really stunning...I'd love to have this kitchen. I think it's a great example of how modern, vintage, masculine, and "pretty" can all work together. especially in this age of "paint everything white".

It's bad "rap" Lily, not "wrap".

I enjoy the mix of wood tones in this kitchen - after all, the forests don't have just one kind of tree...

Lackluster? *sigh* AT please do a wee bit more research once in a while.

Veneer has been successfully used since the Egyptians. And the Greeks and the Romans did it too - altho they preferred stone veneers. Lest we forget Asia - the Chinese and the Japanese used veneers for decorative cabinetry, as did artisans and architects in the Renaissance, and the 17th century, and the 18th century. In fact, the Victorian hall table in my brother's house is entirely veneered in oak - and is entirely intact, save for a few small chips around the base.

Today veneer is used in the same ways it has always historically been used: as a decorative surface over a cheaper material; and as a finished surface over a stable substrate. Ikea's use is a noble attempt (I said attempt) to recycle waste wood fiber as a substrate for the more decorative wood veneers. The problem with Ikea is that they don't use a high enough quality substrate (particleboard instead of MDF) and so moisture seeps in and ruins your cabinets.

But seriously - wander any museum and you will see ample use of veneer from all ages of civilization.

And who can forget the Veneerings from "Our Mutual Friend"?