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Kitchen Inspiration: Cerused Oak Cabinetry is Always In Style

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We are so inspired here on Hadley Court by the beautiful cerused oak wood finishes we are seeing at the National Kitchen and Bath Association show happening right now out in Las Vegas, #KBIS2016.

So, today, dear readers, we are going to show you some inspiring examples of cerused oak kitchens and baths, like the example above designed by Mary Haynes of Tory Haynes, Inc. in New Jersey.

In addition, we will share with you a bit more about the history of this finish, why designers are using it today, and what you need to be aware of when specifying the type of grain to be used.

Ready?

cerused oak vent hood

What is Cerused Oak?

Cerusing is a wood finishing technique that involves the application of whiting and rubbing the whiting into the grain of a wood, then hand waxing it.
Cerusing adds contrast in order to highlight the beauty of a wood’s grain, typically oak.

This finish, first made with white lead (now banned in most places) and used in cosmetics during the Elizabethan era in the 1500 -1600’s to whiten skin, is making a comeback in the design world today, most noticeably in kitchen and bath cabinetry. 

The use of ceruse as a finish for furniture was first popularized in the Art Deco era when the iconic French designer Jean Michel-Frank employed it for some of his well known pieces, like this original shown below, which are now bringing top prices at auction houses around the world.

cerused oak freestanding cabinet

Since, then, the use of ceruse as a finishing technique on oak has fallen in and out of favor. But today, it is once again enjoying a renaissance, thanks to its use by top designers like Kelly Wearstler and Jefferey Alan Marks, who have both used it to great effect.

In addition, oak is a less expensive wood than some other types of typical woods used for kitchen cabinetry, like cherry or maple. And cerusing the oak in gives a stunning custom finish that can be used to create many different types of kitchen aesthetics depending on whether your taste is modern, country, traditional, farmhouse and industrial.

Cerused Oak Examples

For instance, below is a contemporary, modern kitchen designed by Mr. Marks, using a pale cerused finish.

cerused oak kitchen

A different wood stain combined with cerusing gives this coastal kitchen in Darien, Connecticut a beachy, driftwood feeling, while still maintaining its elegance and charm.

It was designed by Shelter Interiors, LLC.

Limed Oak Kitchen

In this Fairfield Woodworks kitchen, the custom cabinets have been stained in ebony.  It’s pairs beautifully with the backsplash and provides a nice contrast with the countertop and oak floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cerused Oak Kitchen Cabinets

A more traditional kitchen is shown below, again using cerused oak cabinetry and Le Cornue appliances. Some call it a limed oak kitchen. It was designed by NYC based Robert Schwartz of St. Charles Kitchens.

This use of mosaic wall tile, on every wall surface except the ceiling is stunning.

cerused oak kitchen cabinets

Here’s a clean, modern kitchen, below, employing the use of a light cerused finish on rift sawn oak cabinetry.

Notice the gas stove burners have been custom colored in hunter green.

Leave it to a professional designer like Kelly Cleveland to add that luxurious, personalized touch! Fabulous!

cerused oak modern cabinets

Cerused Oak Wood Grain Types

By now, you may have noticed the grain pattern of the oak wood used in some of these kitchens is different.

Here’s why.

Oak can be sawn at the mill in several different ways. This graphic below will help you understand the differences.

Using a professional designer like Leslie Hendrix Wood or your own local designer means that the board cuts they specify for your kitchen or bath will be appropriate to the overall design aesthetic you have chosen.

Different Cuts of Oak Wood

The diagram below explains it further. Also, the best cuts of wood for your usage and budget will be a discussion your designer will have with his or her cabinetmaker.

A key factor they will consider for you is the stability of the cut for your usage patterns.  Nobody wants warped modern oak cabinets and doors.

Keep in mind: quarter sawn, rift sawn and riven are always going to be more stable than standard rotary cut veneer, the type you most commonly see in big box stores.

Cutting Veneer for Plywood diagram

Note that the amount of cerusing, a lot or a little, is a design decision, and can be impacted by the cut of wood your designer thinks is best for your kitchen or bath.

A professional designer will always present you with finish samples for your sign off and approval.

How to Ceruse Wood (DIY)

Oak is considered the best wood to ceruse because it’s pourous and has a heavy grain, but any hardwood will work!

      Prep the Wood

          First clean the wood and let it dry completely.  Next, scrape the wood with a wire brush in the direction of the grain.  The harder you scrape, the more distressed the wood will appear.                          Smooth the surface again after applying wire brush.     

      Apply a Finish

           Apply the cerusing material, either a water diluted paint or liming wax.  Apply with a rag, massaging the wax into the open pores and wood grain.

      Wipe Away Cerusing Material

            If using paint, wipe immediately with another rag.   If using liming wax, follow the manufacturers instructions (usually wait 30 minutes and then remove with steel wool).

       Apply Sealer

            Apply sealer if you used paint as the cerusing material.  Liming wax doesn’t need a sealer, but if it’s something that is used frequently, you might want to go ahead and seal.

 

We close this post today with another beautiful design from Mr. Marks. This bathroom was designed using a cerused finish on a beautiful golden toned oak.

cerused oak bathroom cabinets

What do you think? Do you like this finish? Please let us know in the comments and, as always, thank you for reading Hadley Court. 

We appreciate YOU.

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10 Comments

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Comments

  1. Alan Macks says

    July 12, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    Hello Leslie,
    We are having a difficult time finding someone to do the cerused finish on new custom cabinets for a reasonable price.
    Do you have some recommendation of cabinet makers in North America that can do this for us?
    Thanks Alan

    Reply
    • Leslie Hendrix Wood says

      July 21, 2020 at 11:00 am

      Hi Alan,
      I’m sorry but I don’t have any suggestions for you – keep looking and I’m sure you will eventually find someone! Thanks for reading Hadley Court.
      All the best,
      Leslie

      Reply
  2. Cassie says

    October 17, 2018 at 7:44 pm

    Such great information, and great images! I’m researched cerused wood for kitchen cabinets and need to know more about quarter sawn oak vs. basic select. Thank you for the info!

    Reply
    • Leslie Hendrix Wood says

      October 19, 2018 at 10:04 am

      Cassie,
      You are very welcome. I think cerused cabinetry is so beautiful and can add interest to any design!
      All the best,
      Leslie

      Reply
  3. Gloria Graham Sollecito, AKBD says

    January 30, 2016 at 9:30 am

    Great post. Cerused oak works well for traditional as well as contemporary design. I would also add that it seems to be done typically on white oak rather than the more commonly found red oak. This does make a difference in the color as well as the price here in the US.

    Reply
    • Leslie Carothers says

      February 4, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Hi Gloria and thanks so much for taking a moment to leave a helpful tip on this post re: how this finish is typically done on white oak, versus red oak. Sharing knowledge like that, gained from your experience as a well regarded kitchen designer, is so helpful to our readers!

      Reply
  4. Nadya says

    January 24, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    aha, that’s how it is called! I have seen it before and loved this washed out look that seemed to be tendered by sea waves 🙂
    I so agree the design with cerused wood looks sophisticated and luxuried.
    thanks for sharing, Leslie!

    Reply
    • Leslie Carothers says

      February 4, 2016 at 2:12 pm

      Thank you, Nadya, and we’re glad you now know what this beautiful finish is called. Some people also call it *limed oak*, as well, but it can be applied to woods besides oak, although it is most commonly applied to oak, as oak’s heavier grain is beautifully brought out by this lovely finish.

      Reply
  5. LTM says

    January 21, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    I love your posts, and this by far was the most informative and fascinating. It is so great
    to read and get your design updates. Really interesting look. The Wolf cooktop with the
    hunter green burners, may be the incentive for my husband to realize we need a new cooktop-
    he loves green!! So interesting to learn about the Cerused cabinets. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Leslie Carothers says

      January 22, 2016 at 7:54 am

      Thank you so much for this nice comment It’s a joy for me to write for Leslie Hendrix Wood’s blog and getting comments like yours makes us all so happy.

      Please let us know if you indeed do get a new cooktop — those green burners really are wonderful and if your husband knows he can choose any color he wans for them, maybe he will go ahead and splurge 🙂

      Have a wonderful weekend ahead and thank you again!

      L

      Reply

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