Bleaching Sydney Blue Gum Floors After Kitchen Renovation - Brighton
- Jul 3, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 2, 2025
Transforming Dark Interiors with Sanding, Bleaching, and Rubio Monocoat
This project involved a client who had recently installed a new kitchen—bright, modern, and open. While the kitchen upgrade looked stunning, it highlighted an issue: the Sydney Blue Gum timber flooring throughout the property felt dark, heavy, and mismatched.
The footprint of the new kitchen was also different from the old one, leaving sections of previously unexposed timber on display. These new areas were unprotected and had already started to age unevenly. The client decided it was the perfect time to refresh the flooring so that the interior felt cohesive and light.
Before Sanding – Old Kitchen Footprint Visible
The original Sydney Blue Gum floors showed a clear difference between the areas under the old kitchen and the newly exposed timber. This unevenness, combined with the timber’s naturally darker tone, made the interior feel heavier than the client wanted.
Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation Sydney Blue Gum floors showing darker tones and mismatched timber footprint after kitchen renovation
Samples – Exploring Bleaching Options
To achieve a brighter interior, we created bleaching samples for the client. We used timber putty to fill nail holes beforehand, as it’s important to choose a putty that won’t dissolve during bleaching.
These samples allowed the client to see how much lighter the Sydney Blue Gum could become, providing a clear vision of how the floor could complement the modern kitchen.
Bleaching samples prepared for Sydney Blue Gum timber to explore lighter colour options. Bleaching samples prepared for Sydney Blue Gum timber to explore lighter colour options.
After Sanding and Puttying
We carefully sanded the floor to remove the old finish, evening out the surface and exposing the raw timber. Nail holes and small imperfections were filled with the selected putty to ensure a smooth, uniform appearance before bleaching.
Sydney Blue Gum floors sanded back to raw timber, with nail holes filled using durable putty. Sydney Blue Gum floors sanded back to raw timber, with nail holes filled using durable putty. Sydney Blue Gum floors sanded back to raw timber, with nail holes filled using durable putty. Sydney Blue Gum floors sanded back to raw timber, with nail holes filled using durable putty.
After Bleaching – A Fresh New Tone
Bleaching significantly brightened the Sydney Blue Gum, removing much of its deep red and brown intensity. The result was a softer, lighter base that instantly made the space feel more open and welcoming.
The client loved the natural look of the timber after bleaching and chose not to add pigments or extra colour
Sydney Blue Gum timber floors significantly brightened after bleaching process. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors significantly brightened after bleaching process. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors significantly brightened after bleaching process. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors significantly brightened after bleaching process.
Final Finish – Rubio Monocoat Buffed In
For protection, we applied Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil, buffed into the timber to preserve the brightened colour. This finish keeps the timber looking natural while providing a durable protective layer.
The combination of bleaching and Rubio oil gave the client exactly what they wanted—a floor that looks bright and natural, perfectly suited to their modern kitchen.
Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching. Sydney Blue Gum timber floors with Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil finish after bleaching.
Fully Furnished Interior – The Transformation
To showcase the completed look, we produced a fully furnished AI-rendered interior image, highlighting how the lighter floors transformed the space. The flooring now blends seamlessly with the new kitchen design, creating a modern, airy atmosphere.
Before/ After/ Ai Interior furnished.
Before/ After/ Ai Interior furnished. Before/ After/ Ai Interior furnished. Before/ After/ Ai Interior furnished.
Key Points
Sydney Blue Gum floors restored after modern kitchen installation.
Old and new kitchen footprints created mismatched timber areas.
Sanding, puttying, and bleaching evened out the colour.
Client chose Rubio Monocoat finish to preserve the natural, brightened tone.
Fully furnished images highlight the dramatic transformation.
