About Me
Hi! Welcome to JustRestore. I am Sabah Bardhan, the artist behind every furniture transformation you see here. My journey in January 2019, when I felt the urge to try something new creatively. Canvas didn’t cut it anymore, so I painted some old stools lying around the house—and that was it. The obsession began! I shared them on social media, and to my surprise, they sold. That was my eureka moment, and JustRestore was born on January 17th, 2019.
Funny enough, it was my husband who introduced me to Chalk Paint—he found it at a store near the supermarket and came running home with the discovery. I was using whatever I had at home until then, but Chalk Paint changed everything. I love its versatility; I use it like watercolor for translucent layers or thick for texture, depending on the artwork.
MY STYLE is BOLD AND ECLECTIC, but you’ll also catch me painting some muted, neural, elegant and chic makeovers from time to time. It’s all about detailed, expressive artwork—a celebration of bold colours, intricate patterns, and storytelling through design. I love working with a vibrant palette and layering techniques to create depth and texture. You’ll often find splashes of gold leaf, delicate washes, and rich decorative waxes adding that final touch of magic to my pieces. I can dive deep into my creative pool and pull out some beautiful ideas for furniture!
My inspiration comes from everywhere—from traditional art forms like Madhubani and Chinoiserie, to Kilim patterns, Japanese koi fish, and the majestic cranes I adore painting. Birds and florals are recurring themes in my work; they allow me to explore fine detail and expressive brushwork in a way that feels meditative and meaningful.
Every stroke has intention—whether it’s the soft blend of colours in a floral wash or the precise lines of an ornate accessory in an Indian couple’s portrait. My goal is to bring furniture to life with art that not only tells a story but also connects with the space it’s placed in. No two pieces are ever the same, and I wouldn’t have it any other way
Before this creative chapter, I was a cabin crew member for 12 years, lucky enough to travel the world. I still draw inspiration from those experiences—cityscapes, costumes, flowers, architecture.
I still go through my photo albums to get the creativity flowing. Sometimes, even a walk in the park with my kids sparks a color combination! Most of my projects are commissions, and I’m lucky to work on everything from heirlooms passed through generations to showroom pieces sent straight to me for a custom makeover. At JustRestore, I specialize in hand-painting and restoring furniture, using a variety of materials such as wood, metal, MDF, glass, and even IKEA furniture, which people believe cannot be painted.Whether transforming modern items or restoring antiques, every project is treated with care and creativity Sustainability is close to my heart—saving furniture from landfills and turning them into meaningful pieces is what makes this journey even more special. I focus on redesigning and repurposing pieces to reduce waste while creating unique, personalized designs that reflect your style. In addition to my hands-on work, I love teaching. Through group workshops and one on one workshops, I share my techniques and help others discover their own creativity. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch participants develop new skills and create something meaningful One of my proudest moments was painting a striped buffet with hundreds of custom colors—it took 7 weeks, endless tape, sleepless nights, and lots of measuring. It pushed me creatively and personally, and reminded me how far patience and passion can take you.
I’m so honored to have been Annie Sloan’s Painter in Residence in 2021 and now their Star Painter for 2025, teaching workshops across North America. It’s truly a dream come true. At the end of the day, I believe art has no rules—you get to decide what’s beautiful. Whether you’re just starting or looking for fresh inspiration, I hope my work encourages you to explore, play, and create something that’s uniquely you.
Achievements & Proud Moments
Star Painter for Annie Sloan (2025)
I’m beyond excited to be invited as a Star Painter for Annie Sloan’s program in 2025! This role will take me across North America to host workshops, teaching others the magic of furniture painting and creative transformation. It’s a huge privilege to share my knowledge and inspire others to create their own beautiful, personalized pieces. I can’t wait to connect with so many
people and bring a little more color and creativity into the world!
Painter in Residence (2021)
Being named Annie Sloan’s Painter in Residence in 2021 was such an incredible honor, especially as the first artist in the Middle East to be invited by Annie Sloan! This experience allowed me to immerse myself fully in the world of furniture painting and share my passion with others. I got the chance to work on some truly special projects and inspire creativity in the community. It was a transformative time in my journey, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to grow and expand my skills in such a meaningful way.
Zibra Golden Brush Awards (2019)
In 2019, I was thrilled to be awarded 3rd place globally at the Zibra Golden Brush Awards in the Multicolor Category! For this project, I painted a sideboard that took me 8 weeks to complete, dedicating 4–6 hours a day to meticulously create perfectly straight multicolored lines in varying thicknesses. The level of precision and patience required was challenging, but seeing the finished piece come to life made it all worth it. It was an amazing achievement and a proud moment in my journey as an artist!
Annie Sloan Middle East Furniture Painting Competition (2018)
In 2018, I was honored to be one of the top 10 finalists in the Annie Sloan Middle East Furniture Painting Competition. This competition was a pivotal moment for me, allowing me to showcase my skills and creativity on a larger stage. It was such a thrilling experience to be recognized among so many talented artists in the region, and it further fueled my passion for transforming furniture into functional art. Being part of this competition was a huge step in my journey, and it inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries of what I could create.
Media Features and Recognition
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be featured in The Colourist magazine several times, where I’ve shared my journey and passion for furniture painting. My work has also been highlighted in podcasts and I was honored to be interviewed and published in the UAE Times, where I discussed my creative process and vision. As a speaker for Every Artist’s Guide in India, I’ve had the chance to inspire other artists in their own journeys. On top of that, I’m thrilled to be consistently featured by Annie Sloan Home UK and Chalk Paint UK across their social media platforms, where my work continues to be showcased to a global audience. These opportunities have been truly humbling and have played an important role in helping me connect with other artists and furniture painting enthusiasts around the world.