Artwork and a hand painted kitchen in Worcestershire

Martin Guest’s recent clients are both professors at Birmingham University.

Obviously the focal point of the project was a hand painted kitchen, transforming a dated mid-1990’s dark oak kitchen in Bromsgrove into a welcoming, functional and appealing feature again.

And by the end of proceedings, the clients were really happy with their “new kitchen”, and Martin was buzzing about a painting of a completely different sort.

Well prepared

Martin set to work with all his usual specialist kit; Mirka dust extraction sanding, Erecta-Rack, Fox brushes, all of which he, and Traditional Painter colleagues, would consider the essential tools of the kitchen painter’s trade these days.

Dustless sanding never fails to go unnoticed by all involved; the Erecta Rack keeps everything very tidy and compact, and the Fox brush is providing a marvellous finish in so many paints!

Paint of choice

Martin steadily worked through the preparation and painting. The primers over oak should be stain-blocking and Martin uses Pegaprim Isofix tinted to the colour of the topcoats, a pearl colour in this case.

The topcoats were Feelings Furniture. This water borne finish has proven itself over many years on kitchens around the world, and Martin is not alone in regarding it as the most chip resistant hand painted finish paint he has encountered in his career. Like car body paint, it is tough, but please control any urges to hit your painted kitchen with hammers or le Creuset frying pans, it isn’t armour plated!

A different sort of painting

Martin noticed artwork whilst passing through the house and got talking about the wonderful oil canvases with bold geometric colours and subtle, delicate watercolours.

…one of their relations was Vernon Tong – a Fine Artist… well known for his studies of Suffolk landscapes, notably the River Orwell.

My client’s home was a gallery of beautiful works of art created by Vernon; watercolour landscapes, seascapes and “abstract” oils; such a treat for me to be able to spend time looking at great artwork.

And the clients, as a sign of appreciation for a painted kitchen that went way beyond their expectations, presented Martin with this painting, which is now hanging proudly on a wall in his home.

Martin has written further details over on his site, where he has a fine collection of painting blogs explaining how he hand paints kitchens and furniture.

Specialist painter and decorator, Martin Guest, is a member of the Traditional Painter UK network. He is the first port of call for hand painted kitchens in the West Midlands, central Birmingham down through Worcestershire.

Martin is an expert furniture and kitchen painter, travelling extensively with his work. He also prepares and finishes pieces for exhibitions, is expert in most traditional decorative finishes, and is one of Lincrusta wallcoverings most experienced installers.

.