What is Barefoot Restoration?

So, what can Barefoot Restoration offer you? At least that’s what I hope you’re wondering! Well, my intention is to find interesting yet unloved pieces of furniture that have the potential to be transformed into something beautiful and functional. In addition to this I am offering a service whereby you can have your existing furniture restored. Why buy new when you can have me repurpose what you already have! I’ll take all the stress and effort out of the equation by understanding your creative choices and keeping you in the loop throughout the process.

There are a variety of techniques I use on a day to day basis and I’m always learning new ones so that I can offer a wider range of possibilities. Sanding units down, applying wood stain, paint, wax and varnish are all things I do regularly. Whether it’s a shabby chic look or a glossy country home effect you’re after I’ve got it covered! Alternatively, if you’re more inclined to have something very unique and bespoke, I offer one of a kind, hand painted mandala art designed by me and applied to your furniture.

My First Restoration

For this coffee table I began by cleaning and sanding the wood down to the bare bones, so that I could eliminate any white heat marks from hot drinks and any minor bite marks left from when our puppy was in his teething phase! Once I could see what I was working with I selected a colour and sat painting in my garden, it had two coats of paint and was left for a day or so while I completed my mandala design. The main aim of the design was to create length using a totem of different sized mandalas. The sun and moon idea is based on the fact that my husband and I are opposites in many ways but still work as a balanced partnership. As this was to be the focal point of the room where we do quite a bit of entertaining, I wanted there to be reason behind my artwork.

My Coffee Table

My first experience of up cycling came with this coffee table. It’s still one of my favourite pieces, because I was able to let my creative brain run away with me for the first time in a while. There’ll be no stopping it now! It started off as a coffee table we used for years and gradually developed heat marks from coffee cups, random scuffs and puppy teeth marks. I initially thought to sell it, but as lockdown progressed I thought to myself, ‘May as well see if I can do something with it, why not? I have all this time to play with so let’s give it a go’.

The Process

I got advice from a few friends and family members who have good DIY skills, made friends with the staff at my local B&Q and made a Pinterest board to provide me with some inspiration. Et voila! A unique and beautiful coffee table appeared. Even when I’d finished it I was quite surprised at how it turned out. Since then I have completed a chest of drawers and two bed side cabinets to match!