So often we forget about the other walls in a room–the floor and ceiling. I think the more important of these two is the floor and its color, texture, and material have to be considered when planning the overall design of a space. How different would the hallway below feel if the wood were stained a dark espresso or tiled in slate or even carpeted.
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In my previous post on tile, I talked a lot about the practicality, durability and other considerations of the most popular types of natural stone. In this post, I’d like to focus on wood floors and how versatile they have become.
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The planks above are the wood floors I dream of. Ten inches wide with centuries of wear adding texture and warmth to a room that can’t be duplicated. If you have these, can I come visit?
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The planks in this photo are equally dreamy but with a drier, more rustic look than the oiled and waxed ones in the previous photo.
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Same with these above but because they are juxtaposed with the more elegant and refined furnishings their rusticity (is this a word?) becomes more textural. This also reflects a larger trend. Ten years ago you would never have seen floors like this in a room like this.
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And the same above with the elegant staircase descending into the gray washed wide plank floor.
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But what if you don’t live in a 200 year old house or can’t afford to import 400 year old planks to your home, but, you are remodeling and thinking about having wood floors installed? Who says you have to have your floors laid in the traditional way? Maybe your contractor or installer, but don’t let that deter you! Why not go for this beautiful white-washed divided chevron pattern?
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Or a traditional chevron…
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Or something like this antique floor with chevron stripes meeting in a diamond. So beautiful with the modern furnishings. When trying to come up with ideas for designing with tile or pattern, I like to think outside the box while also sticking to classic proven forms–just new ways of using them. There is a reason these patterns and traditions have stood the test of time!
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These images are all chevron patterns but a herringbone would be lovely too.
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Be prepared to purchase significantly more material when laying a patterned floor–especially a herringbone. With patterns like these there can be a lot of waste. But I bet the DIYers could find something to do with all that leftover wood!
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Or if an overall pattern isn’t doable, maybe create a focal point with an inlay as above.
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What if you have wood floors already and they are damaged, the wrong color, or maybe you are just bored with the same old basic hardwood floor? Painting them is a beautiful and affordable alternative to getting them refinished.
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Or leave some of the wood showing through.
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I think this is tile above but you could paint this pattern if you wanted. We sure are seeing a lot of this Escher-like tile pattern lately on Pinterest. I love it though.
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Or even create your own chevron pattern!
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I love this white floor with the negative pattern done like and inlay–so fresh and pretty.
What are your wood floors like? Would you ever experiment with a pattern or paint them?
But it’s hard to leave well enough alone.
