Arsenic was a wonder product of the Victorian age. It was produced in vast quantities and its deadly effects did nothing to diminish its popularity. At the time Britain was slowly switching from candle to gas lighting and the emerald green looked stunning in this new light. New fashion plates where created showing this new colour in all the most up to date trends. Green was the ‘it’ colour at parties and balls up and down the country. Nowadays, this colour despite its name being derived from poison can often be found in home interior design palettes, including hand painted kitchens.
This 18 year old Smallbone kitchen had served its owners well. Set in the village of Little Aston, near Sutton Coldfield in Staffordshire. We were invited to provide the hand painted finish to rejuvenate this quality hand built kitchen, originally supplied and fitted by Smallbone of Devizes.
From dull grey to a vibrant green!
The kitchen had been previously painted in a mid grey colour with a dark blue peninsula breakfast bar seating area. Although the kitchen was adjacent to a large open casual seating area with lots of room, the kitchen seem to absorb a lot of light.
The clients were originally set on having the whole kitchen painted in a deep blue, which would of been even more absorbing. Eventually they decided to go fresh, bright and vibrant with the Arsenic colour but retaining the blue patterned tiled splashback behind the range cooker. We think this combination of colour works really well.
The painting process
Our standard practice is to remove all the doors and drawers, its the only way to make a proper job and we do not like cutting corners. Once removed these go back to the workshop for the full treatment and we do the frame work, end panel and inside open display cabinets in situ. Everywhere receives a full clean down, degrease, prep and sand, before we even consider any painting. Hand painting a kitchen of this size and style will take several days to complete. We are very thorough and meticulous with each and every process. Everything is then primed with a high adhesion primer and left over night to fully dry. Two full top coats are then applied using a durable paint finish, designed for painting kitchens and furniture.
Russ Pike Interiors have been hand painting kitchens for 0ver 30 years, with great care and attention to detail in every project carried out. We know the best practices and correct materials for the job in hand. We have the knowledge, experience and expertise to deliver your project on time and within budget. Please do Get in Touch if your are considering a hand painted kitchen, whether its rejuvenating an existing kitchen or you are having a new kitchen or painted cabinetry installed.