If you are an afficianado of the Arts & Crafts movement (promoted by Frank Lloyd Wright, Greene & Greene, and others) it's probably because of the complex wood-working designs, simple functionality, and simple beauty and rich colors of their finishing techniques.

The combination Bookcase and Buffet shown below is an example of Craftsman-style cabinetmaking. All cabinet finished surfaces are made of Ash. Although Ash has a grain similar in appearance to Oak, it takes colors very differently - and in this case, is more pleasing to the eye. All of the cabinet doors are made with 1/4" X 3/4" lath strips, and the joinery is traditional half-lap for the "web work". The face frame, doors and drawer fronts are made of solid Ash. The carcass is made of MDF board (masonite-like) with an Ash veneer. All cabinets are finished inside and out with stain, and multiple coats of polyurethane satin varnish.

All drawers are on full-extension steel roller glides (lower left). The insides of all drawers are manufactured from pre-finished stock with a white melamine coating for cleanliness. The glass for all doors is a "seeded" variety to lend an old-fashioned look. The door and drawer hardware is styled from the "Arts and Crafts" movement (below center). There are rope lights hidden inside the cabinet to illuminate the contents without themselves being seen. The photo (below right) was taken at a sharp angle with the door open to show the light string.