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I am near completion on some kitchen cabinets and searching/experimenting with different finishing techniques. The cabinets are traditional in design, face frame construction with stile/rail raised panel doors. The cases are plain-sawn red oak plywood. The door frames are quarter-sawn red oak (real nice fleck pattern) and the raised panels are figured white oak. The color of the figured white oak varies much more than I originally imagined. I would like to evenly color the cabinets (somewhat light), enhance the fleck patterns evident in both red oak and white oak on the doors, and slightly enhance the figure (no overkill here)and establish an attractive depth of finish. I would appreciate your comments. Here’s how I “think” I’ll stain these cabinets:(Note: I have a rugged 4 year old son so lacquer is probably not appropriate because of durability)

1) First Coat: thinned poly varnish as sanding sealer.
2) Scuff Sand.
3) Second Coat: dye-toner coat of varnish.
4) Glazing: Bartley’s gel stain, mostly removed, just within large pores of figure.
5) Third/Fourth Coat: poly varnish with satin finish (dye-toner if neccessay for color).
6) Rub out finish to satin.

Also, I’m installing some red oak, No. 1 common, wood flooring. I will be using a water-based poly for this finish. I would like to color this flooring similar to the cabinets, so my thought is to use TransTint color dye for coloring both the flooring and cabinets (cabinets slightly darker).

I do not have spray equipment and will be applying finish in my basement (well ventilated). Any suggestions/comments appreciated. Thanks.