[jyl]

The high end treatment is base coat then brush paint, to get the subtle signs of hand finishing, and incidentally match the trim and other cabinet work in the house, which was probably brush painted, especially if the house is older.

I've often thought if I got new kitchen cabinets I'd find a way to have them very lightly distressed, like a few subtle dents and nicks before brush painting, so they looked original to the house. In an older house (mine is 100 years) I don't want really "new" looking alterations.