My mother would like to know how Laurie changed the wooden cabinets to black lacquer cabinets. Does anybody know what they used and how they did it?

Don't know what they did to the cabinets on the show or what they used, but I'm a big fan of black lacquer and have done a lot in black. Here's my spin. Prep requires enough sanding to take the sheen off the existing finish, and then the very best primer you can get in prep for latex or oil. Satin black latex is relatively easy to apply (NOTE: thinner than lighter paints, so you must apply several thin coats), but shows smudges pretty badly. For best finish and wear, black satin oil is best (can pretty much guarantee they didn't use it on the show because of drying time). Three thin coats, with VERY light sanding between first and second coats, with good (read: expensive) brush, should net good results. Painter's trick for cleaning brushes used in oil: 3 dipping pots of thinner. First to get off bulk; 2nd for bulk of residual; 3rd for final rinse; remove and wipe. As thinners become saturated with paint, retire #3, make #2 new #3, etc. And of course, dispose of all environmentally unfriendly products responsibly.
Long first post after long absence. Hope this helps.

Note: meant to say sanding between 1st & 2nd, and 2nd and 3d, coats. Sorry. And if I'm being a KIA, please tell me.

Thanks for your help. We'll give it a shot!

If you do decide to try something, whatever it is, please tell us about it, the results, and your opinions after the process. Thanks!