Recommendations for retrofitting antique cabinets?

We recently purchased a 1912 condo that we had previously rented for many years. The kitchen and pantry feature four expanses of original and vintage-replica oak cabinets that we love and want to retain. In the kitchen itself, the wood and glass look great, but the doors and drawers need mechanical refurbishment. Nothing closes properly. closing certain drawers requires the strength of a... [more]

We recently purchased a 1912 condo that we had previously rented for many years. The kitchen and pantry feature four expanses of original and vintage-replica oak cabinets that we love and want to retain. In the kitchen itself, the wood and glass look great, but the doors and drawers need mechanical refurbishment. Nothing closes properly. closing certain drawers requires the strength of a weightlifter; opening others requires the delicate touch of a diamond-cutter. In the pantry, the cabinets have been painted over heavily, and one unit seems to be coming loose from its mooring on one side. Does anyone have experience refurbishing old kitchen cabinets, or a recommendation for professionals who do this type of work? Our key goals are: - retain as much old wood and glass as possible; - expose what has been hidden by paint - enjoy the easy-gliding drawers and securely-closing doors of a modern kitchen; - add some inconspicuous child-proofing; - where necessary, reconfigure to make room for modern appliances (basically, removing a shelf or two to accommodate a larger fridge). On a less-specialized note, we probably also need a new sink base. The current one is Home Depot circa 1995, so no tears will be shed when it goes to the dumpster. Ideally, we would like the new unit to match the antique wood as closely as possible. Thanks in advance for any input. [less]