Painted Lady

18/03/2026

A fully refurbished and extended Mark Wilkinson ‘Cooks Kitchen’.

We are so happy with the way this has turned out.

At over 20 years old and painted twice, it was a little dated and very tired. It also lacked storage, so the the main brief was to create extra cabinetry which would blend in. Some would have ripped out and started again, but this is an iconic hand made kitchen. Even after 20 years, they regularly sell for £10k second hand, that’s before painting and fitting.

The plan:

• The island grew.
• Two awkward corners have brand new seamless cabinetry.
• We fitted a hidden spice rack and integrated bin unit.
• The large fridge surround with integrated pantry storage was built to house the American fridge.
• We fitted handmade, replicated doors and frames to cabinets that were previously open.
• Lastly, we ‘extended’ another wall unit down to worktop level to create a hideaway for the toaster.

All of the new cabinets have been fitted with replicated doors, matching panelling, cornice, skirting and framework. Everything has been hand made as it is no longer available.

Now, all of the new additions fit so seamlessly, it actually looks like we’ve just painted the kitchen and fitted new k***s, which despite all of the work, actually makes me really happy. The sign of great carpentry and a job well done.

Thank you to our lovely clients for their patience, it’s been a slow process as so many parts had to be made from scratch, but look at it now.

😊

17/03/2026

PLEASE READ 🙏

Janine was one of my very first customers.

I painted this chair for her in 2014, it was also my first commission.

She was a lovely lady, full of sunshine, and at only 51, leaves a still young family and husband, who is a self-employed tree surgeon.

Please help if you can. Every donation, however small, will help the family navigate such a devastating and emotional time.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-swindon-topcat-34-janine-townsend-gvcy3?lid=44qanbpk6xq5&viewupdates=1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=t_email-campaign-update&

Thank you

X

16/03/2026

15/03/2026

Just a reminder from a while back, replicated joinery and some.

we made this…

15/03/2026

And finally…

The last of replicated, Mark Wilkinson mouldings are done. Everything is ready for fitting.

3 corner sections

2 lengths for the fridge surround

1 short length for the skinny cabinet by the Aga.

They have been a journey and very complicated to make, but very rewarding.

The final piece of a what is now a stunning kitchen. The end goal is that it will look as good as new, and that the additions we’ve made will all blend so seamlessly, it will look like it’s always been that way.

🖤

06/03/2026

Another day…

Making mouldings 😊

04/03/2026

Day three of making shapes…

Three Curved cornices, glued and clamped. They need a little bit of trimming, sanding and then priming, that’s tomorrow’s job.

These will be fitted to the fridge surround and the skinny tall cupboard, both built to replicate the original Mark Wilkinson cabinetry.

20/02/2026

Not much to report.

It’s been strange week. I’m becoming a little jaded. We work hard, we work with kitchens and materials most would discard, but there is a cost.

We can’t live for free, like everyone else we have bills to pay. If I was a millionaire believe me I’d do this for free, albeit for people who needed it, but I am definitely not.

Please don’t expect us to be able to paint and refurbish your kitchen for a pittance. We aren’t one coat ponies. Skills cost, materials cost, running a business is expensive. We have thousands of pounds worth of machinery and tools which enable everything we do. There are insurance costs, accountancy costs. Hours spent driving to estimates I know I won’t get, and hours writing up the same.

Anyway, a bit more fettling, but like I said, we have skills. Curved skirting, how many ‘chippys’ can do that!

Oh, and the shaker peg rail we made and painted is actually mine…

🖤

18/02/2026

One of those weeks…

🙄

13/02/2026

Little things I know.

I’ve cropped this image from Pinterest. Look at the original in the comments.

In my humble opinion, the first is so much calmer. Why? It’s all down to an overly fussy shaker drawer, where a simple flat drawer front would do, one too many lights and busy ceiling panelling.

If in doubt, take it out. Keep it simple...

12/02/2026

One of the things I enjoy most, is carving out a bit of extra storage space in an otherwise overlooked part of a kitchen.

We built two, useful new cabinets where there were none, which not only add extra storage, but more importantly, look like they’ve always been there.

The double hinged doors to the new base unit give full access to the now bigger cabinet. Previously it was open and only part of the space was useable.

Now for the tricky bit. Some decorative cornice and a little bit of curved skirting.

07/02/2026

Our youngest is actually the tallest in our house. He’s 6ft 1”, with big clothes and big shoes. He also unfortunately has the smallest room, albeit big enough for a double bed.

We’re lucky enough to have quite high ceilings, so this is our next project at home. An elevated sleeping platform with storage steps and a snug sofa area beneath it.

He’s so excited.

It’ll take a bit of planning, but here we go…

Images: Pinterest