IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Spring 2019 | Page 34

FIVE HOT TRENDS IN HARDWOOD FLOORING
More than ever, homeowners are appreciating the added
value that hardwood floors bring to a home.
Here’s a look at five top flooring trends that will help if you
can’t see the wood for the trees.
Made in America
“There’s a growing demand for American-produced
hardwoods,” says Michael Martin, President and CEO of the
National Wood Flooring Association. “It’s part of the general
trend toward locally sourced materials of all kinds in the
U.S.” Consumer concerns about sustainability, quality, safety
and environmental factors are more easily addressed when
a hardwood is domestically grown and milled. Plus, the U.S.
offers an unrivaled range of readily available species suitable
for flooring.
Stains and Finishes
Gray is a classic “neutral” that’s never truly out of fashion. It’s
currently one of the most popular colors, ranging from pale
smoke to deep charcoal, showing up in hardwood flooring.
“Whether light or dark, gray stains bring out any wood’s
natural grain and texture,” says New York interior designer
Laura Bohn. “Grays are versatile and timeless—quiet and
soothing colors that recede into the background without
losing personality or becoming faceless. They work in any
style décor, yet always look modern.”
Species
For several years, the trend was toward woods like hickory,
but recently white oak has moved to the front. Along with
abundance, durability and reasonable cost, white oak offers
aesthetic advantages. Many of the popular gray-brown shades
look especially sophisticated applied to white oak.
The Wider, The Better
It’s all about wide, wider, widest. Planks of up to 7 inches in
width are considered normal now. Traditional strip flooring
still remains popular, but wide-plank is the market leader.
Wider floorboards can make a space look larger and more
modern. The floor can be treated like a canvas: ebonized for a
sleek, dark look; light-stained for an urban vibe; distressed for
a rustic effect—the possibilities are endless.
Popular Patterns
One way to set your home interior apart is by tapping into the
trend for herringbone and chevron pattern hardwood floors,
which show up increasingly in decorating magazines. Since
installing herringbone floors is a time- and labor-intensive
process, they’re more common in high-end projects. Still, if
you can afford to splurge, these floors are a gorgeous addition
to any room.
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If placing your home office in an area with windows is not
possible, try the soft lighting of a lamp instead, and try to avoid
harsh fluorescents. Adding a silk plant or two, along with a
picture of the outdoors, will help transform a windowless area
into a more inviting space. Warm colors such as reds, yellows and
orange will also help warm up an otherwise dark office area such
as a basement.
Next, you’ll want to design your workspace with cabinetry
where office supplies and files can be tucked neatly out of sight.
Shelving that is custom-designed for the way you work can
transform even a tiny space into an efficient work area. Having
cabinets and shelves that are suited to your exact purpose will
eliminate a great deal of frustration and overwhelming feelings of
disorganization. A designer and expert carpenter can help you get
the most from your workspace.
Just because you don’t have an entire room in your house
to dedicate to your home office doesn’t mean you can’t have a
dedicated workspace. Even a closet can be transformed into a
workspace with the right planning, and the whole office can be
put away at day’s end by simply closing the closet door.
If you have even less space to work with, try a wall-mounted
desk that can be extended when in use and collapsed flush with
the wall when it’s not. Cubby holes built into the interior wall
area can also provide places for storage in a tight space. A creative
builder can help you make the most of your available space.
If your work area is not separated from the rest of your home
and building a wall is not an option, there are still attractive ways
to define your space. For example, tall wooden shutters can be
linked together with hinges and painted any color to create a
private area. Though not soundproof, they can create an intimate
atmosphere of privacy when needed for oneself or seeing clients.
Tall silk plants, such as a series of ficus trees, can also be used to
divide the space.
Don’t skimp on your office chair! It’s likely a place where you
will be sitting for several hours every single day. Make sure it’s
comfortable and provides plenty of lumbar support, in addition
to being an attractive addition to your office. Visit Spine-Health.