Do it! RESTORE YOUR OLD FLOORBOARDS

Once you’ve uncovered the floorboards, fill any noticeable holes with a wood filler in a matching shade.

Hammer any protruding nails deep into the floorboards.

Using a drum sander and an edging sander – available from tool hire companies – sand along the floorboards lengthways until all visible dirt and any old wood stain are gone.

Apply either wood dye and varnish, floor primer and floor paint, or oil to finish.

In her hallway Lorraine used Osmo oil. In the sitting room the boards were primed then painted in Pointing by Farrow & Ball.

‘WE DIDN’T NEED A TABLE IN THE KITCHEN–ADDING THE SMALL ISLAND GAVE US MUCH-NEEDED WORKTOP AND STORAGE SPACE’