From DIY Dilemma to Dream Floor: Rescuing Jarrah Parquetry - Reservoir

See MyFlooring rescue a Jarrah parquetry floor after a DIY attempt! Our expert timber floor bleaching and limewashing delivered stunning bleached hardwood look and a flawless finish.

At MyFlooring, we often say that every timber floor has a story, and sometimes, that story includes a few unexpected twists! Our recent project involving a beautiful Jarrah parquetry floor was a perfect example. The client had a clear vision: they wanted to lighten their timber floors and had even attempted to achieve this with a white oil after sanding. While we admire the DIY spirit, the results weren't quite what they'd hoped for – the colour simply didn't come through as expected. That's when they gave us a call.

We understood completely. Jarrah, with its inherent deep reds, can be particularly challenging to lighten, and getting a consistent, desirable colour with a white wash requires a precise approach. Our first step was clear: we needed to sand everything back off again, removing the previous white oil application to get down to the raw, unadulterated timber. This meticulous preparation is absolutely vital for any successful transformation.

With the floor ready, our team applied a powerful timber floor bleaching treatment. This chemical wood floor lightening process is incredibly effective at lifting those stubborn red pigments from the Jarrah, creating a lighter, cleaner base. It truly began the dramatic shift our client was looking for.

Once the bleaching was complete and the floor revealed its newfound lightness – becoming the stunning base for its next layer – we then applied the limewash. This step added that beautiful, soft white translucency the client craved.

We provide samples on site, you can also bring styling options such as tiles and carpet to see the final results.

And for the final, crucial touch, we sealed and protected the bleached hardwood floors with a waterbased polyurethane, which provides both long-time non-yellowing care, and also protects with its surface cured polyurethane finish.

This incredible waterbased polyurethane which is which is both time effecient which means you'll be back home in no time- non-yellowing so it will preserve the current modern look and style. So no need to do any furniture updates every few years. It preserves the natural look and feel of the timber, and importantly for a limewashed floor, it beautifully encapsulates the limewash pigment, ensuring its vibrancy and preventing it from wearing away easily. Plus, it's incredibly durable and easy to maintain, a major bonus for busy households!

The results were dramatically different from the client's initial attempt. Thanks to our experience with similar complexities in the past, we were able to deliver a floor that was truly transformed, achieving the perfect balance of lightness and a beautiful, consistent limewash effect.

Left: Before / Right: After

Note that the overall redness has been removed whilst still preserving the grains and characteristics of the timber.

This project truly highlights a key point: while many DIY projects are fantastic, tasks like timber floor bleaching and precise limewashing, especially on challenging timbers like Jarrah parquetry, are genuinely complex. They involve potent chemicals, intricate application techniques, and a deep understanding of how timber reacts. For these kinds of nuanced transformations where achieving a specific, flawless result is paramount, we always recommend professional help. It can save time, prevent costly mistakes, and ultimately deliver the dream floor you're truly after.

Dreaming of beautiful, lighter timber floors but unsure where to start?

If you're considering lightening dark timber or exploring a wood floor lightening treatment for your Jarrah parquetry or any other hardwood, MyFlooring has the expertise to deliver flawless bleached hardwood floors. Contact us today for a consultation – let us turn your vision into a stunning reality!