Painted Timber Beams in a Haddington Cottage Kitchen

The Challenge

The dark exposed beams dominated the open-plan kitchen and dining area. The owner wanted a lighter finish without losing the shape and character of the ceiling. Numerous beam junctions and existing track lighting called for detailed preparation, while the fitted kitchen remained in use.

Our Approach

1. Protected the kitchen, worktops and furniture so the room could remain in use.
2. Cleaned the ceiling, beams and pillar, then filled and sanded holes, cracks and timber imperfections.
3. Re-secured loose paper and applied a suitable sealer and primer to the exposed timber.
4. Worked carefully around beam intersections, edges and the existing lighting.
5. Finished the ceiling, beams and pillar in Farrow & Ball Pointing, using Tikkurila Everal Aqua 40 water-based satin enamel on prepared surfaces where specified.

The Result

The soft off-white finish brings the ceiling, beams and pillar together, making the kitchen and dining area feel lighter. The original timber structure remains visible through its shape and shadow, retaining the cottage character alongside the light cabinetry.