There are many words to describe the colour of this kitchen; Indigo blue, Denim blue, Deep Violet, Cobalt, Royal blue, the list goes on… but personally, I would say its Ink blue. Darker than traditional navy blue, warmer than black and newer than grey! Its richness makes it almost wearable and very chic. However, Victorian Dusk was the actual name of the colour chosen for this painted kitchen project.
My client, is a highly intellectual person, a University Professor who is a very focused, articulate and a meticulous person, knowing exactly what they wanted from refurbishing this tired and dated, now orangey coloured oak kitchen. Upon our initial meeting, I immediately realised there was a specific vision and colour in mind with a sense of eagerness and anticipation, wanting to know if it was at all possible to achieve!?The kitchen had been inherited with the purchase of this circa 1930s built house, which was going through some extensive renovations. The kitchen being the pièce de résistance.
A cost for the kitchen painting had already been agreed from photographs previously supplied. The on-site visit was to confirm the agreed costs and run through some finer details. As this job was in the Wollaton Park area, it was only a few minutes drive for me, which was a bonus. All that was left for me to do was to meet the expectations!
Originally, this was a high quality, well built, solid oak kitchen. It was built to last! I would imagine the kitchen was at least 30 years old. Custom made by Robert Oakham Interiors, to whom I cannot find any reference to on-line. The new quartz worksurfaces would sit on top of the existing tiled worksurfaces, as these couldn’t be removed without damage being caused to the carcasses and integrated plinths around the worksurface. Some of the doors showing the most wear and tear would be exchanged for others of an existing size from a matching display unit, that wasn’t going to be part of the project. A few of the plastic brackets which fixed the drawer fronts onto the drawers had snapped off as they had become brittle with age. (See images above).
The only other hurdle I was up against here would be the holes left by the original wooden knobs Because once removed they had left quite a large hole in the doors and drawers. Usually if clients decide to have new cabinet hardware, we can fill the existing holes with a wood filler and re-drill for the new handles and knobs. These holes were a bit big! I did manage to overcome this as you can see by the images above. I then skimmed over them with a 2 pack, 2part flexible wood filler and sanded before priming with a shellac primer to seal the oak and prevent any tannings coming through the paints.
I definitely think its Ink!
So whilst I’m busy sanding and priming the doors in the workshop and the frames on site. The Prof went off to source a 3D printer to make new plastic brackets for the drawer fronts. With all the prep work now done, it’s time to start priming and then applying that Inky Blue.
Finishing touches and the new chrome cup handles for the drawers and pull knobs for the doors are all fitted. Final checks that all the doors and drawers are aligned and in working order and… Viola!!!
Final word from the Prof: “Russ, you have gone beyond my expectations and delivered exactly what I wanted, thank you.” A job well done if I say so my self and that blue, whatever it is called looks stunning! A very rewarding and satisfying kitchen makeover.
If you are considering having your kitchen painted and refurbished or have a project in the pipeline for a new installation or home interior decoration, please do Get in Touch we will gladly offer you any advice from our knowledge and experience.