Kitchens

• 101 decorating questions answered
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59. We are having a new kitchen fitted and want to create a feature splashback using a layer of glass over the top of some striking wallpaper. It needs to be hard-wearing, to prevent damage to the wallpaper from heat, steam and water. Is it possible to do this? Yes, it's entirely possible, and makes a fun change from all the back-painted glass we see. Use low- iron glass, such as Optiwhite, and have it toughened. It's more expensive than normal glass, roughly £70 per sq m, but it will ensure the colours of the covered and uncovered wallpaper don't vary. Seal exposed edges with a small bead of clear silicone.

60. I wonder if you could advise on how best to get bespoke concrete sinks and worktops produced for a development project we are working on. There is an established company, based in Nottingham, that produces a range of very sleek pre-cast sinks and worktops, as well as providing bespoke and on-site work. Just what you're after. Visit lowinfo.com.  

61. I'm looking to get some inspiration and help to design a Fifties-style kitchen-diner. I don't have a lot of space, but I'm happy to take on board any ideas. In the Fifties, Italian cafés in London featured great materials, like strongly patterned Formicas, chrome trims, sharp angles, expressive typefaces and coherent interiors that were expertly detailed. For inspiration, try classiccafes.co.uk, which shows cafés that are still running, as well as ones that have disappeared. 

62. We're redesigning our kitchen, and want to use traditional panelled doors and cupboards in a Georgian style, taking inspiration from the doors seen around Spitalfields Market. We're wondering what type of paint we should use to recreate the style we're after. The Georgian buildings you're referring to date back to the 1720s, and the quality of the paintwork comes from a steady layering over a couple of centuries, so don't expect to replicate it in one go! You need the correct colour pallette and a decent paint. We recommend The Little Greene Paint Company; its paints have a thick, dense quality that build up to create a stylish look when dry.

63. When I had tiles laid on my kitchen floor, they were carried on beneath the washing machine. The old machine fitted but now I need a new one that is less than 85cm high. Are there any models that can be reduced in height? This is a common problem in a non-standard kitchen and there must be enough people with the same problem to persuade sister companies Bosch, and Siemens, to make machines that can be reduced from 85cm to 82cm high. All models in the current Bosch range can be height-adjusted simply by removing the top of the cabinet and fitting a purpose-made cover plate, which must be ordered separately as a spare part (part numbers WMZ2340 or WMZ20430). Siemens models WM4S493GB; WM16S493GB; WM14S794GB and WM16S794GB can all be height-reduced in the same way, using build-under kit WZ10090. Cover-plate kits from both companies should be fitted by a washing machine engineer before installation.

64. I'd like to cover green border tiles which sit between white tiles on my kitchen walls. All the tiles are in pristine condition but the green border looks dated. I know I can apply tile paint but can you suggest other options? The only alternative to painting, and one that would give you a smart, long-lasting finish, is to have the green border tiles chiselled out and replaced with tiles in a different colour, design or even material. Your choice will depend on the width of the border and, to an extent, the thickness of the surrounding tiles. The slimmest border tiles are 12mm wide and one good source is the Vision range by H&R Johnson Tiles, which features 300 by 12 by 12mm border. A border of stone or glass mosaic tiles would give you contrasting texture as well as colour and the Earthworks collection of stone mosiacs by Original Style, comes in eight colours with tessarae measuring 23mm supplied in sheets measuring 305mm square. This collection also includes dado and border tiles in widths up to 45mm. Glassworks by the same company, offers a number of options. Its plain glass mosaic comes in 300mm squares composed of 144 pieces of 5mm tesserae in eight plain and 12 tonally mixed colours. These can be cut into strips for a mosaic border.

65. Where can I get a piece of zinc to cover one of my kitchen worktops? Most local metal suppliers will either have zinc or be able to get it in for you (check the Yellow Pages for names). Prices vary, but expect to pay around £70 for an 8x3ft sheet. Bear in mind that zinc marks easily, and it's essential not to leave water on it, otherwise, over time, the zinc will pit and break. Zinc also has a high level of expansion, so the close proximity of hobs and fridges can cause it to have timber (usually plywood) worktops wrapped in sections so you don't get exposed edges. Ask metal suppliers for names of local fabricators who do metal folding.  

66. After hacking up the cork tiles in our Victorian kitchen, we are left with a concrete floor, which has a very interesting patina. Is there any way we could seal this and make it suitable for everyday kitchen use? Yes. You'll need to use Clear Heavy Duty Floorpaint from Leyland Paints. It's solvent-based, so it will stink, and it will need a good day to dry, so we recommend a long weekend away after a full-on Saturday morning painting session.  

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