Staining Maple Cabinets?

[HLAuburn]

We are looking to purchase a new home, and after a long weekend of househunting, we found one that's almost perfect. The problem is - I really don't like the kitchen cabinets. They seem to be a nice quality maple, but I don't like the color and I want dark (almost espresso colored) cabinets.

It's a new construction (almost complete) and the builder says they won't do anything about it. We are definitely NOT handy when it comes to things like this, so we'd have to hire someone to stain them, but is it even possible?? I don't want to ruin the cabinets, but if its matter of just paying someone who knows what they're doing, I'd do it!

So anyone have experience staining new cabinets, particularly maple ones? Any advice?!

Thanks!

 

[Jennasis]

Well you'd probably have to strip them or sand them down to remove the finish on them first, but then you should be able to stain them...assuming they are 100% maple and not a veneer or something like that.

 

[crjack]

Check out the kitchen forum on gardenweb (www.gardenweb.com home forums). The kitchen forum is full of great info and has a gallery you can search by any criteria.

We found it to be incredibly helpful when we remodeled our kitchen. Good luck.

 

[disneyhand]

I had oak cabinets and had them stained/ painted a dark espresso brown. They look great. Some one recommended a man to do the job for me as I knew I wouldn't do it well.

 

[HLAuburn]

Thanks for the responses!

I had oak cabinets and had them stained/ painted a dark espresso brown. They look great. Some one recommended a man to do the job for me as I knew I wouldn't do it well.

Do you happen to have any pictures, especially of the finished cabinets? I'd love to see what they turn out like.

Also thinking about the option of putting a dark (black?) glaze on them.