A couple of kitchens going through

Paul Barber in Northampton has a hectic run up to Christmas, and has doubled his workforce. He trained his son, Paul from an early age and they are a well oiled and harmonious kitchen painting team, so our scouts tell us. 



 

Extreme gilding furniture 

Russell Woodland was commissioned to transform a piece of white painted furniture with a book or two of gold leaf.  Here it is mid-way through.




Add a roaring golden lion



That lion consumed some 23-carats but Russell put his head to good use.



A quiet alcove is not so quiet now.
 
Front door feedback

Keeping the shiny theme moving along, last week's super high gloss enamelled front door created a stir on FaceBook. Along the lines of how do they do that? And What colour is it?

It was thoroughly prepared and sanded; skimmed with oil-based gras a lacquer surfacing filler; sanded; tack rag over every inch and then finished with One Shot signwriters enamel. 

The colour of paint used?

That's not so obvious, because you are seeing an exact reflection, down to the colours of every surface in the hallway.

Have a guess about the colour over on the FaceBook page. Comments placed before 15th Dec, the correct one will receive a pre Xmas present. If there is more than one correct answer, we will pick a random winner from the right answers.


Where do you get these decorative specialist products from?

Within Traditional Painter, a couple of names come up. Handover are one, and Gold Leaf Supplies are another option.

One Shot paint from Gold Leaf Supplies, who also stock the Fox Original paint brush, no less!

Gold leaf from Handover Brush and Paint supplies. 

Funny how businesses develop away from their name!

Gras a Lacquer is available from suppliers of Toupret or Prestonett.  Here is an account of  Prestonett's Gras a Lacquer in action.


 

* Tack cloths from Axus

Now you know what to use and how to achieve that finish, you just have to replicate it! Or get Paul Kelly, Traditional Painter and Decorator for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire  on the case.


Tekaloid super shine

Also, Martin Dunn, our man in Staffordshire has achieved super high gloss results on a barge using Tekaloid brushing filler and alkyd finishing enamel.

 The paint, also favoured by Landrover owners, is available from Breakwells in Walsall

 
Custom splash back for your kitchen

Mandy Farmer is a very talented designer whose speciality is bespoke kitchen mosaics. Here is an example of a work in progress, from the drawing board.

a custom-made mosaic splash back for the stove area to be a focal point for a dark corner. Consultation about materials, colour and design are underway




...their focus is on something that will stand up to the sparkling granite composite work surfaces.

Mandy is based in the W Midlands and will keep us updated on progress of this project. First stages here

Careful if varnishing new oak veneer doors

This is a modern phenomenon. Myself and many old boys will be thinking, I never knew I couldn't use oil based or hard wax oil on engineered oak veneer doors from builders merchants, I never had an issue. The chances are there never has been an issue, but according to research from Ben at paints and Interiors, and feedback from Osmo:

...one less known side-effect of 2010 VOC legislation and  China is the change in glues used for veneers. They aren't the same strength as of old, and if a veneer is less than 1mm thick, then a hard wax oil may well penetrate through to the glue and weaken it. 

So, if you are buying new from Howdens and other merchants, where veneer is 0.2 - 0.3mm thick, approximately, if the label says to use water borne varnishes and sealers, it is probably best to play safe and do just that.

Joining the chorus of "never had a problem" I had no issues with Polyvine satin clear varnish. Associate in Sussex, Neil Clayton is a fan of Sikkens Cetol BL Unitop. Other water based options...see a discussion here talking throughout this question.

And if you are looking at engineered wooden floorboards, the veneer will be thicker than 2mm, so expect no issues using "conventional" solvent based sealers.



Thanks Ben for the definitive Osmo words from above.
 

Natural look kitchen transformed

You can see the wood from the brick now in this kitchen hand-painted by Neil Callendar Traditional Painter covering Gloucestershire, Dorset and Wiltshire




Cast iron bath transformed

Richard Willott Traditional Painter in Suffolk lugs cast iron baths upstairs before FX painting them like this. Pushing himself to the limits gets his creative juices flowing, by all accounts. 

Guess what substrate Lacq products are good for!

The chair is a sample of furniture made from reclaimed driftwood, by a highly acclaimed Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek. He is taking the world by storm, so to speak. And when his fans ask him, what is the coating he uses to protect the timber, he tells them, Lacq yacht varnish.



Anyone can make furniture, if they put their mind to it, but there is only one Piet Hein Eek style of furniture, and lots of it. 


Do you have a handle on your kitchen?

Although painting has the most impact on a kitchen makeover, the "right" handles can make the best of finishing touches. Well worth scouting around for solutions.



Lee in Newcastle hunted down and added these handles to a recent project. It is also not unusual for kitchen designers to custom design handles, for that extra bespoke twist. 
 

Otex and Empire strike back

Mark Nash has been a long term user of the waterborne Tikkurila furniture paints, but their oil based satin-matt Empire is a useful weapon where you aren't quite sure about the substrate.  When first applied it is sheeny, when it cures, it is not so. 

When you use these advanced products, always refer to the data sheets, they aren't normal paints. Otex is not a clone of Zinsser Coverstain. Don't add conditioner to Feelings paint.




TP5 if you buy paint from Holmans

It is encouraging to see readers going over to Holmans for their paint. There really is something for everyone, from the highest spec furniture paints, Rustoleum specialist coatings, good old Manor Coatings emulsions and oil based eggshell, undercoat and gloss...


If you quote TP5 when you order, and your order exceeds £100, you will also receive a complimentary Original Fox paint brush sized to match your order. Details here


Pragmatic quote of the week

When talking about surface area of roller sleeves and paint loads -  12" with 1.75" core v 14" with 1.5" core, James just cut to the chase!

Get an 18" Wooster and have done with it  - great for ceilings



Trade Corner companies Q&A

All the companies on Trade Corner also have a spot on our forum where they will be alerted to any questions you might have for them.

They also pop in to add their perspective and point out a few ideas that may not have been apparent to end users.


Look forward to seeing you there.


 

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