When oak or pine is exposed to sunlight it causes a chemical change in the wood. This slow oxidation results in the wood taking on a golden or orange tint. It is a natural part of the ageing process the wood. If the wood is lacquered, varnished or stained, it can make the orange effect even more pronounced.

One simple but very expensive solution to a pine or oak kitchen showing its age is to throw it on the tip. But there is a much smarter solution–hand painting your kitchen units. Painting will reverse this ageing process, giving your kitchen many more years of life.

This is exactly the reason I was contacted in October last year, the client had a originally had a custom made pine kitchen by a local craftsman, over the years the kitchen had worn well but was showing its age and orange hue. I visited the client and discussed with them the possible options for the various pieces of furniture within the kitchen including long sideboard, tall larder, Butchers block and Aga Mantle. Over the following months the client tested a variety of Little Greene paint colours and eventually settled on Book Room Green No 322, which is part of their new stone colour range.

"At the turn of the 19th century, the Book Room at Wimpole Hall was remodelled by neoclassical architect John Soane. Driven by Wimpole’s owner’s keen architectural interest, the room doubled in size and this neutral green was specified as a foil to the room’s fine white plasterwork and shelving, and the thousands of deep red embossed leather book spines which covered the walls. The property was later acquired by Captain George Bambridge and his wife, Elsie, daughter of Rudyard Kipling. Kipling’s legacy and own book royalties paid for the refurbishment of the house before it was left to the Trust in 1976.

As with all projects, from the first enquiry to the final handover, we find good communication is key to achieving the right result for the customer. By the time I arrived on site to commence the renovation, we had confirmed all the important details, colours and finishes, and the important work of preparation could start.

I protected all surfaces not to be painted before cleaning and sanding all surfaces to be painted. There is no mess, thanks to dustless sanders and a generally clean work method. With all the preparation done correctly, the primer, base-coats and intelligent eggshell go on flawlessly. Everyone was looking forward to seeing the end result after all it had been 28 years!

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