For a kitchen with 20 doors and 10 drawers, Guth estimated the cost of refinishing with a stain and clear finish at $3,000 to $4,000. Switching to a painted finish might save around 20 percent.

‘Oh, that’s beautiful,” I say, and my companions instinctively turn and look at the sunset. Someone sighs. “No, not that. This,” I say, pointing to the shrimp cocktail… ...