Cherry
My sister showed me that her kitchen cabinets were showing wear around the pulls causing the underlying wood to show under the dark stain. She asked if I could do something to recolor the worn areas. She also noted that while she never liked the dark wood color the wear marks were troublesome. The last three photos show the cabinets before work began.
Given that ash is a light wood with often wild grain, and the stain was so dark, I suggested that it might be better to simply replace the doors and drawer fronts and reface the exposed parts of the cabinets. I suggested using natural cherry with more select grain patterns. Looking at the island with its two level countertop I suggested that cutting off the upper level might provide a more usable work/eating surface. She decided to replace the countertops with a lighter color stone and it was agreed that a lighter feel would be the outcome. The last three photos show the kitchen before work began.
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