What is Highlighting?

In the context of kitchen cabinetry and woodworking, highlighting refers to a finishing technique where a contrasting color or stain is applied to certain areas of the wood surface to draw attention to its texture, grain pattern, or other decorative elements. This can be achieved by applying a glaze, a darker stain, or paint to the recessed or raised portions of the wood, and then wiping it off or blending it with the base color. Highlighting can add depth, dimension, and character to the wood and enhance its natural beauty. It is often used in conjunction with other techniques such as distressing, antiquing, or sanding to achieve a particular style or effect.