I don’t know if you agree with me on this one, but according to me there are basically three or four colorations I like to work with when it comes to wood floor finishes.
One is a sort-of drift wood color which makes the rooms feel earthy. The other is bleached floors, which I’ve been doing for so many years but still like the way they give a space a sense of lightness and brightness (especially when paired with white walls, which creates the perfect envelope). The third floor color I like is a Mahogany color which I use with part ebony (mixture mahogany & ebony) to give, again, a rich, warm sense to the space. But I always err on the darker side – more mahogany.
The last is a black stained floor, which I usually have stained on open grain, with two heavy coats of ebony to give a very contrasting sense in a room and it makes spaces look very graphic.
What’s your favorite type of floor?
#1 by Faith Sheridan on July 24, 2009 - 11:41 am
Vincent, I am drawn to the earthy color of wood which is a patina of sorts that I encounter in old buildings or homes. It becomes a wabi sabi type of thing for me. With so many older homes having oak species floors, the darker stain is a welcome contrast. Again just a touch of texture to mix with all the rest of the design. It is the apostrophe in the design concept.
Faith
#2 by judith Thibaut Interiors on July 24, 2009 - 12:00 pm
I adore a black stained floor , especially if the upholstery is very light. It seems to keep a light toned space from getting
too “floaty.” Though, I must say, those dark floors show every
speck of tracked in dust! I would also advise a client with animals
( especially white animals — like my giant Borzoi!) to consider
the fur factor.
#3 by Mrs. Blandings on July 24, 2009 - 12:03 pm
Dark, dark floors are my favorite. My biggest regret is that we did not re-stain ours when we moved in; it will be such a headache if we ever get around to it now.
#4 by Plush Palate on July 24, 2009 - 2:32 pm
Either really dark or really light and bleached. They allow for so much contrast and visual “punch.”
I’m just loving your blog…so glad I found it!
Happy Friday, Crystal
#5 by scone on July 24, 2009 - 3:07 pm
My “perfect” floor would not show dust, would not be damaged by shoes and pets, would be comfortable and quiet to walk on, and would clean itself. Barring such a miracle, I’m considering concrete floors, like those in Mr. Wolf’s apartment.
#6 by Ivy Lane on July 25, 2009 - 11:08 am
I am loving the really dark stained floors. I have brazilian cherry floors, the colors are varigated and it has a very high gloss finish…although they are beautiful..the wood is a very soft wood… my next house..going for a very hard wood…stained dark!
#7 by Brillante on July 25, 2009 - 4:04 pm
I always think about the use first, so dark hardwood is stunning (I would say in a contemporary space) only if you can maintain it properly, since it shows dust and dirt.
A bleached one is also great but I would see it in a more traditional space.
My favourite? the one we had when I grew up in Milan, mid tone, warm but not yellow with the most beautiful pattern, no chemical film on it, only wax once in a while and which became better and better in time.
#8 by Kelly on July 25, 2009 - 10:54 pm
Vincente, I agree totally with your picks!
I love both the very lights, and the very darks.
I do think the very darks are harder to keep up…. but they are gorgeous.
Business hours, I live with black painted wood floors in my business, and they show everything imaginable. They show far more than my mid to mid dark wood stained floors at home….
Your blog is great and very appreciated!
Thank you!
#9 by Jacquelyn on July 27, 2009 - 12:51 pm
I have a few favorite floors…right now in my life with active teenage boys and a dog I love my concrete floors which were hand rubbed with a colour called black pepper and then sealed…contemporary, textured and practical…however, when I am an empty-nester I will probably go for a flooring much like the one on page 84 of your book Learning to See (I’ve photocopied and put in my “house” file
which I’m guessing is in the mahogany/ebony category.
#10 by Vicente on August 4, 2009 - 4:42 pm
Jacquelyn – that is one of my favorites too.