A beautifully made kitchen can provide many years of service, even when its original colour and finish are ready for a change. This Clive Christian kitchen in Nottingham, was a lovely example of just that.
Looking back at this project, the kitchen was around 15 years old when I was invited to repaint it. My client had inherited it when purchasing the property several years earlier. Although they appreciated the quality of the cabinetry, they had never been particularly fond of its yellow-toned, aged finish.
This property was home to a kitchen full of character and intricate detail. It had all the makings of a beautiful room; it simply needed a fresh approach to the paintwork.
Quality Cabinetry Worth Keeping
The kitchen had never been repainted, and its original glaze-and-wipe finish was beginning to show the effects of everyday use. There was some wear, but the doors and cabinets remained structurally sound.
For a kitchen like this, repainting made a great deal of sense. The craftsmanship was already there, the cabinetry had plenty of life left in it, and there was no need to replace sound furniture simply because the colour no longer suited the owners.
Alongside the painting, the client arranged to have fited new storage baskets inside the large larder cupboards. This was a useful opportunity to improve the practicality of the kitchen as well as its appearance.
Careful Preparation Around Every Detail
One of the pleasures of working on a Clive Christian kitchen is the detailing. Decorative mouldings, shaped profiles and carefully constructed doors all contribute to its character. They also require patience when preparing and painting.
My first job was to number the removable doors, drawers and other components so that everything could be returned to its correct position. Removing these parts allows proper access during preparation and painting, including areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
The surfaces were then thoroughly degreased and prepared to provide a suitable foundation for the new paint system.
Preparation alone took two of us two full days. That gives you some idea of the work involved before the finishing coats could begin. It is a stage I never rush, particularly when working over an existing decorative finish.
A Warm Cream Finish to Refresh the Room
The client wanted to retain the warmth of a traditional kitchen while moving away from the yellowed appearance of the original finish.
They chose a soft, warm cream, which I had mixed to an equivalent of Farrow & Ball’s Clunch. It was a sympathetic choice for the cabinetry, refreshing its appearance while allowing the decorative details to remain an important part of the room.
Once preparation was complete, we applied a specialist high-adhesion primer, tinted to complement the finishing colour. This was followed by two full coats of specialist furniture paint in a matt finish.
The new paintwork gave the kitchen a cleaner, more consistent appearance, bringing a fresh look to the furniture without losing its traditional character.
Putting Everything Back Together
With the painting complete, the doors, drawers and knobs were carefully refitted.
This is always a satisfying part of a kitchen repaint. All the individual elements come together again, and you can properly appreciate the difference that the preparation, colour and finish have made.
At the client’s request, we also redecorated the ceilings, walls and surrounding woodwork, completing the refresh throughout the room.
The result was a kitchen that felt renewed, with its original cabinetry preserved and its appearance much more in keeping with the client’s taste.
A Fresh Look Without Replacing the Kitchen
This project is a good example of why I enjoy repainting quality kitchens. Well-made furniture does not necessarily need replacing when its finish becomes worn or dated.
Here, specialist hand painting offered a way to retain the kitchen’s craftsmanship, improve its appearance and make the most of what was already there, at a fraction of the cost of replacing it.
Every kitchen needs to be assessed individually, but if your cabinets are sound and the layout works for you, a carefully planned repaint can make a remarkable difference.
Specialist Kitchen Painting in Nottingham and the East Midlands
If you have a Clive Christian kitchen, or another bespoke wooden kitchen that is ready for a change, I would be happy to discuss what can be achieved.
At Russ Pike Interiors, I bring over 40 years of decorating experience and a hands-on approach to hand painting kitchens across Nottingham and the surrounding East Midlands.
Whether you would like a subtle refresh or a complete change of colour, get in touch to tell me about your kitchen and arrange a quotation.