Furniture Restoration Specialist
16 years of hands-on experience transforming charity shop finds and vintage pieces into treasured home features. Chalk paint techniques, sustainable restoration, and the stories behind every project.
The Beginning
I wasn't one of those kids who always knew what they wanted to do. At the University of Edinburgh studying Fine Arts, I spent most of my time in the conservation labs, absolutely captivated by how Victorian craftspeople approached their work. There was something about understanding why a piece was made the way it was—the joinery, the finishes, the materials—that felt like solving a puzzle.
Those university years taught me that restoration isn't about making old things look new. It's about respecting what came before and bringing out what was always there. That philosophy stuck with me.
After graduating in 2008, I landed a position with master restorers in London. Five years in their workshops changed everything. I learned traditional techniques from people who'd been doing this for decades—how to strip finishes properly, source period-correct materials, repair joints without destroying original wood. But honestly, it was also quite rigid. Everything had to be historically accurate, museum-standard restoration.
Don't get me wrong—that training was invaluable. But I kept thinking about all the beautiful furniture heading to landfills because people couldn't afford or access proper restoration services. There had to be a better way.
Around 2012, I started experimenting with chalk paint on pieces from charity shops. The results were honestly shocking—not in a bad way. You could take a battered old dresser and transform it completely in a weekend. And here's what mattered most: it got people excited about restoration. They weren't intimidated anymore.
When my before-and-after photos went viral on social media in 2013, it opened doors I hadn't expected. My first book, 'Charity Shop Treasures: Finding and Restoring Hidden Gems,' came out in 2015. Suddenly I wasn't just restoring furniture—I was teaching thousands of people that they could do it too.
Now at brevonix Ltd, I split my time between hands-on restoration projects, running workshops across Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol, and creating detailed educational content. I've trained over 200 participants in proper techniques. But the goal remains the same: show people that beautiful, functional furniture doesn't belong in a skip. With the right guidance and realistic expectations, anyone can learn these skills.
What I Do
Practical expertise across the full spectrum of furniture restoration and sustainable home decoration
Surface preparation, paint application methods, distressing and finishing. I teach the why behind each step—not just the how. Most people get impressive results within their first project once they understand proper technique.
How to spot quality pieces worth rescuing versus items with structural problems. I've sourced hundreds of finds from British charity shops, car boot sales, and estate clearances. It's part detective work, part intuition.
Wood assessment, period-appropriate finishing methods, joint repair, and identifying when to call a specialist. Restoration isn't about making everything look brand new—it's about respecting the piece's history.
Building a beautiful home through upcycling rather than constant consumption. Creating cohesive interiors using reclaimed and restored pieces. It's about intentionality and reducing furniture waste in the UK.
Detailed guides, step-by-step tutorials, and project documentation. I document my own restoration work to show real processes, mistakes included. That's how people actually learn.
Hands-on sessions across the UK where participants work on real pieces and learn practical skills. Over 200 people have trained with me. They leave knowing they can tackle projects at home.
Philosophy
Every piece has a story. Before I start any restoration, I understand what I'm working with—when it was made, what materials were used, what condition it's in. That shapes every decision that follows.
I'm not chasing museum-standard restoration. I'm helping people create functional, beautiful pieces for their homes. A bit of character and imperfection? That's authentic. That's real.
We've got too much going to landfills. Beautiful furniture shouldn't be disposable. By teaching people restoration skills, we're shifting mindsets about consumption and waste.
Knowledge doesn't stay locked in studios. I document my work, write guides, run workshops, and teach online because restoration skills shouldn't be exclusive. Anyone willing to learn can do this.
Background
University of Edinburgh, 2004–2008. Specialised in conservation techniques and historical furniture craftsmanship.
London workshop apprenticeship, 2008–2013. Five years learning traditional restoration techniques from experienced craftspeople.
'Charity Shop Treasures: Finding and Restoring Hidden Gems' published 2015. Over 8,000 copies sold across the UK.
Trained 200+ participants across Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol in hands-on restoration and chalk paint techniques.
brevonix Ltd, current role. Leading educational content creation, project management, and consultation services.
16 years of documented restoration projects. Social media following of 50,000+ followers across platforms.
Latest Articles
In-depth guides covering the techniques and knowledge you'll need to start your own restoration projects
Technique Guide
Surface preparation is where most people go wrong. This guide covers selecting the right chalk paint, prepping surfaces properly, application techniques, and achieving finishes from smooth to heavily distressed. It's the foundation every beginner needs.
Read the guideShopping Tips
Not every charity shop find is worth your time. Learn to assess structural integrity, identify quality construction, spot genuine vintage pieces, and recognise problems that aren't worth fixing. These skills save you money and frustration.
Read the guideRestoration Basics
Traditional wood restoration doesn't need to be intimidating. This guide covers assessing existing finishes, stripping methods that won't damage original wood, repairing minor damage, and applying period-appropriate finishes that enhance rather than hide the piece's character.
Read the guideSustainable Living
Creating a beautiful home doesn't mean constant new purchases. This guide shows how to build cohesive interiors using restored and upcycled pieces, develop a personal aesthetic, and approach home decoration as a slow, intentional process rather than seasonal trends.
Read the guideLooking for more restoration guides and project documentation?
Browse All ArticlesWhether you've got questions about a specific project, want to discuss workshops, or need consultation on a restoration challenge, I'd like to hear from you. Drop a message and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
