A Proper Kitchen – Done!
The van came equipped with a really great little kitchen area (galley if using the correct verbiage) compared to most other motorhomes we’ve seen. We have a gas 4-ring hob, oven and grill and a full size fridge freezer – a total luxury. Despite their age, the oven and grill seem never to have been used and were spotlessly clean – an oasis in an otherwise desolate wasteland.
There was also a large island type affair housing a pull-out larder and two sets of large drawers which were painted and given new handles to match the rest of the van.
As well as the island unit, we have an under-sink cupboard, a pan cupboard under the oven, two overhead cupboards above the sink and various other cupboards around the fridge – so plenty of storage options for our kitchen equipment.
Really the kitchen only needed cleaned before we painted the cupboards and went to work with the vinyl wrap.
Since there is no window in the kitchen Alan installed under cupboard and overhead LED strip lights to throw a little light on the subject, replacing the old brass halogen spots and typical caravan style fluorescent light. The illusion of space is created by the large mirror on the kitchen wall which was also decorated with items from just diy to match the woodwork with the vinyl wrap treatment. At this point Alan could probably cover anything you like in vinyl wrap – form an orderly queue people.
We also created a new granite style sparkly worktop and back splash which really sets off the kitchen and brings it right up to date. Alan installed a new chrome mixer tap on the sink to replace the old gold tap which just looked….. well old!
The fridge/freezer was a total surprise – most motorhomes have a little fridge with an icebox – this is full sized fridge with a box freezer on top. The inside was a bit musty and mouldy but nothing a good wash with bicarbonate of soda couldn’t sort out. The steel shelves were a bit worn with the silver coating breaking off in places. I spray painted them with gray undercoat and then a couple of coats of silver car paint which brought them up like new.
We used metallic effect vinyl wrap to cover the fridge and freezer doors and ended up with a cool stainless steel looking unit. The original freezer lock was missing and as with all things “motorhome”, we were quoted an extortionate price to replace it, so we found a simple fridge child-lock device in IKEA. The lock was fitted to the freezer to make sure it doesn’t fly open when we’re on the move.
The result of the work is a bang up to date finish that looks good and will provide a pleasant working area at mealtimes. Kitchen….. DONE!