This oak kitchen table looked out of place in a light and airy kitchen setting. The customer wanted to change the orange-coloured varnish finish and Mike suggested it was lightened by bleaching and given a ‘limed’ , durable finish. Mike used a water-based, white Japanese wood filler together with a water-based satin finish varnish. Mike transformed the table top and retained it’s patination; it is now ideal for use in a busy, family kitchen and can easily be wiped down with a damp cloth. The base was then painted with Farrow & Ball’s New White eggsell paint to match the kitchen units. The top now looks as a period table of its type should look and the painted base can easily be reversed in the future as the wood was prepared beforehand.
The oak table before top refinishing. The table was very orange in colour and the polish had worn away; it marked easily with water. The client required a lighter and more durable finish as the table was used in the family kitchen.
The refinished table showing the durable, lighter, limed surface and painted base. The table is now more in keeping with the cream shaker style kitchen and suits this north-facing room.