Hand Painted Kitchen Haddenham Cambridgeshire

Jump to PhotosStarfish sites & Ale

Historical records of a Saxon ecclesiastical manor suggest "Haddeenham" was a settlement in Saxon times, Nine Anglo-Saxon graves were also discovered next to the Three Kings pub.( that must have been one hell of a night!) fast forward a few hundred centuries……

During the Second World War, Haddenham was a Starfish bombing decoy site, both K-type (day) and Q-type (night), which were used to divert German bombing away from RAF Bomber Command at nearby RAF Wyton, which was used primarily as a bomber base, flying Bristol Blenheim, de Havilland Mosquito and Avro Lancaster aircraft. In 1942 it became the home of the Pathfinder Force under the command of Group Captain Don Bennett.

Starfish sites were large-scale night-time decoys created during the Blitz to simulate burning British cities. The aim was to divert German night bombers from their intended targets so they would drop their ordnance over the countryside. The sites were an extension of Colonel John Turner's decoy programme for airfields and factories (code named "Q" Sites). Following the bombing, and near destruction, of Coventry in November 1940, Turner was tasked with creating decoys for seven major cities.

Turner referred to the new sites as "Special Fire" or "SF". However, one early site (near Bristol) was given the name "Starfish", which subsequently became used for all of the decoys. The sites were constructed around 4 miles from their protection target, and at least 1 mile from any other settlement. They consisted of elaborate light arrays and fires, controlled from a nearby bunker and laid out to simulate a fire-bombed town. By the end of the war there were 237 decoys protecting 81 towns and cities around the country.

The village sign depicts rolling fields, horse drawn ploughing and Ely cathedral in the distance which was probably the same vantage point that finds FX Décor’s most recent kitchen renovation. ( see photos) clever ?

Mr & Mrs M had inherited this solid oak kitchen which stands in a complex of converted farm buildings and over time, as it naturally does the oak had taken on an orangey tone.

When oak or pine is exposed to sunlight it causes a chemical change in the wood, this results in the wood taking on a golden or orange tint. This is a natural part of the ageing process for oak.

When oak is lacquered, varnished or stained, it can make the orange effect even more pronounced. Oak, pine and all solid wood furniture changes over time and this is what hand painting your kitchen units can completely overcome.

Our brief with this particular project was to create a light and open feel using an off white finish in a reflecting satin finish, the chosen colour was an equivalent to ‘new white’.

As with all new projects, from the first enquiry to the final handover, we find good communication is key to achieving the right result for the customers, so by the time I arrived on site to commence the renovation all the important details colours and finishes had been confirmed.

I then set about dismantling all the doors draws and removable items loaded them safely into my van to be returned back to my workshop to have the five coat paint process applied.

That left me all the preparation on site to do, which includes washing down, which is always undertaken with a 50/50 mix of fluaxf degreaser and water, then the sanding down is next using the latest dust free extraction system, and then finally applying the adhesion primers and undercoats.

Once back at my workshop the same process was followed to all the doors, drawers, these are all painted up to the last topcoat which is applied on site in situ once everything is rehung and positioned correctly.

On my return to site, all carcass edges, internal shelves and end panels were all de-nibbled and wiped down before the top coats are applied, once these had dried I was able to rehang all the doors, drawers and then the handles were fitted.

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