Specialty Design Elements
With advances in the industry over the past few decades,
customizing your wood floor is easier, and more affordable,
than ever before. You can create a one-of-a-kind look
with simple upgrades such as borders, medallions,
hand-distressing, painted floors, mixed media and
exotic wood species.
Borders
Borders create a frame effect in a particular room
or area, and usually contrast to the main area of
the room. For example, a simple installation of
a medium colored wood such as strip white oak might
include a border outlining the room in a contrasting
darker species of wood such as Brazilian cherry.
The possibilities are endless, and are not limited
to wood only. Borders can incorporate multiple wood
species, stone, marble, brass, stainless steel,
nickel and other metals.
Medallions
Medallions usually are installed in the main field
of the floor, typically in areas such as foyers.
Medallions can incorporate multiple wood species,
and other mixed media, such as stone, metal and
leather. Factory finished medallions can be routed
into existing floors with minimal disruption. For
more customized looks, such as a family crest, a
professional wood flooring installer can work with
you to select the species and colors that will best
meet your needs.
Hand-Distressing
Hand-distressing wood floors offers a unique look
and antiqued appearance that appeals to many homeowners.
Hand-scraping, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming,
is the most-common distressing technique. Using
tools such as chisels, planes, wire brushes, awls,
ice picks and grinders, the installer will work
with the wood to achieve a worn and distressed look.
The end result will be a new floor that looks beautifully
antiqued.
Painted Floors
A little paint can transform an ordinary wood floor
into something unique. For example, a painted border
can transform your floor into a work of art reflecting
your personal style – country, formal, or
even patterns like free-flowing vines. For more
dramatic painted design elements, consider creating
an Oriental rug effect, or even marble. Your only
limit is your imagination.
Mixed Media
You can create a one-of-a-kind floor by mixing
wood with other materials such as stone, tile, slate,
marble, metal, and even leather. For example, highlighting
a marble foyer with wood makes a dramatic entryway,
while incorporating brushed nickel accents into
your kitchen wood floor could accent your professional
series appliances.
Exotic Wood
Exotic woods are available in a variety of colors
and can add an entirely new look to any room. Want
something with a pinkish-red hue to enhance your
décor? Consider Bubinga from Africa. Is rustic
more your style? Take a look at Australian Cypress,
which is harder than domestic knotty pine. Is purple
your passion? Purpleheart from Mexico will age to
a deep purple or purplish brown. Want something
sleek and dark? Wenge from Africa, will age to a
very deep brown, almost black, color. With exotic
wood species, the possibilities are endless.
Stain
Existing wood floors can receive an entirely new
look, affordably, with custom stains. Looking for
a contemporary style? Light colored stains can give
new life to an old wood floor. Want something more
traditional? Consider restaining your wood floors
to a warm, medium-toned color. Thinking about a
more formal décor? Dark stains can give your
floors a stately new look. No matter what your existing
wood floor, chances are that you can achieve an
entirely new look with custom stains. |
