Wood Flooring 101 Part 2!
Now where were we….
FINISHES & STAINS
Every hardwood is going to take stain differently – the softer the wood (pine for instance), the more it will soak up colour like a sponge, while the hardest of woods like maple, will less so. Either way, insist on samples from your installer or designer and don’t settle for a 3” Barbie-sized board you can fit in your wallet. You need to see a few feet, ideally a few boards, to catch how the colour will nuance through the grain.
Engineered Hardwood comes pre-finished, which takes all of the guesswork out of how an installed floor will look. Most manufacturers are free and loose with samples, so order away! Quality installers will actually have heavy and awkward 3’x4’ boards in their showrooms that show a run of installed flooring for all the visual folks out there; so don’t be shy to ask for them.
And those cheeky floor manufacturers are becoming so clever with the way they finish flooring. Hand-scraped for that old world look, wire-brushed for some texture, smooth for classic elegance and smoked which calls out the natural tannins in the wood. Do your homework. See them all.
As for colour, this is how we roll:
Honed Toned Floors say: “I’m a little bit country and I like it.” Warm, golden floors scream lakeside, farm and country living.
Designer: Emily Griffin
Photo: Virginia MacDonald
White Blonde Floors say: “I lean easy and modern.” These Scandinavian-inspired, once considered mid-century floors have jumped into the mainstream with wider boards and well into the realm of transitional design. They literally go with everything.
Designer: Elizabeth Roberts Architects
Medium Toned Floors say: “I am not going to make a drastic floor colour commitment because it is too expensive to swap out.” Here!! Here!!! Medium wood floors go with EVERYTHING. Never a mistake. Especially in the case of reviving existing hardwood floors. Refreshing what is already there is a guaranteed winner.
Designer: Amber Interiors
Rich Toned Floors say: “Pass me my Birkin.” These are elegant – full stop. Not to say you can’t soften with rugs and upholstered seating, layered lighting and window treatments but these will definitely lean formal, darling.
Design: Madeleine Blanchfield Architects
LAYOUTS
Once upon a time, when you were laying hardwood, it would be in straight lines. In fact, how a floor was laid wasn’t even a conversation unless you had chosen parquet (not to be confused with parquetry – see below) in which case there was a short list of possible configurations - all of which were busy and dizzying. Fast forward and we have choices to make.
Designer: Tom Mark Henry & Unfold Architecture Photo: Pablo Veiga
Random length, staggered installation is probably the most common. Typically, floor boards come in varying lengths and a good installer will create something that staggers these lengths in a random way. Visually, it is just more appealing and feels less controlled. More natural. There is also some debate as to which WAY the boards should run: always and forever perpendicular to the doorway, not horizontal. It draws the eye in and up and away from the door.
Herringbone patterns use shorter boards, and often more narrow boards, to create a gorgeous zig zig. You need space for these to really sing - not appropriate for a narrow hallway where you won’t get a sense of the repeat. They have a classic elegance to them and when paired with a lighter floor, they lean modern. We love the marriage of the two. Emily just used a beautiful engineered flooring from Torlys in a herringbone pattern in a job that will be photographed soon. You will swoon!
Designer: Marianne Tiegen
Hardwood floors have proven they have staying power. They can support any design story – from modern to traditional to everything in between – and they are hardwearing in a way that any active household needs.
Wood floors provide an easy launch point to start any design project (although there are some decisions to be made), and contribute to the overall aesthetic without overwhelming it. Beautiful and practical, wood floors will turn up the style in any space while satisfying our easy-living requirements with their durability.
