Customer Homes - @blossoming.home
My name is Caroline and I love home interiors! I really fancied getting my sleeves rolled up with a ’project house’ and bought my 1950s build last year. While structurally sound, it was aesthetically in need of a major overhaul – 1960s carpets, a 1970s kitchen, every room was beyond jaded! One of the first things to get sorted was the flooring and that’s where Luxury Flooring came in…
Floor used in this project:
Painswick Lavish Oak
Why did you choose Luxury Flooring?
I knew even before I’d exchanged and completed on the house that I wanted wooden floors throughout. I came across Luxury Flooring on social media and was hugely impressed by their vast array of colours, sizes and finishes. I was blown away by their whole service – the samples arrived within 2 days, the team were amazing at explaining the differences between types, the quality of the product was excellent and they were able to deliver to my schedule.
What was most important to you when designing your room?
I wanted to create a timeless-looking floor – one which I knew to be brand new, but which looked like it could have been in place since the house was built. It was also important to me to have a thick upper wear layer so that the floor could stand the test of time and be re-sanded several times.
What’s your story?
During the pandemic lockdowns, I did what so many people across the country did – I started walking daily. While on my walks I started noting down the ’dream roads’ I would like to move to for a forever home and realised that to make it a reality I’d have to buy something which needed TLC! Blossoming.Home will be a long-term project (I have aspirations of a kitchen extension and a utility room) and in the meantime I am focused on making the most of the existing floorplan through overhauling the aesthetics. Ripping out the old carpets and getting the gorgeous oak herringbone in has been nothing short of transformational!
What does your home situation look like?
You’re as likely to find me traipsing into the house wearing my walking boots as tottering in wearing high heels! That means I need flooring which is sufficiently hard-wearing to withstand any gravel and grit caught in boot soles or the pressure of stilettos!
What qualities were you looking for in your new flooring?
The thickness of the top layer was a big consideration for me as I wanted the floor to have longevity and to be re-sanded in future if needed. Visual appearance was also really important – I favoured a natural, authentic colour with sufficient grain and knotting. After receiving multiple samples, I also realised I preferred a brushed finish as I felt it would better camouflage any scuffs and scratches which may appear over time.
What advice would you give to someone looking to transform their floor?
When I started this process, I naively thought “oak is oak, herringbone is herringbone” – I had no idea just how varied different woods, finishes and brands are! So, my advice is to start getting your samples early so you have time to mull things over, check them in different rooms, under different types of light etc. It’s such a big decision and I’m glad I didn’t have to rush it because I found the perfect floor for my home.
Did any trends inspire your interior choices?
I tend to gravitate towards mid-century furniture. That being said, I love mixing up old things with new. Throughout my home you’ll spot items I’ve inherited from my grandparents, items I’ve upcycled from marketplace or charity shops, as well of course as brand new purchases. Having a wooden floor which looks authentic but is actually brand new fits the bill perfectly!
How has your new floor improved your home?
It’s improved my home ten-fold! Without a doubt the flooring has made the biggest change to Blossoming.Home and is the thing which every visitor comments on when they step over the threshold. It’s beautiful, it’s a delight to walk on and it’s easy to keep clean.
How did you decide on the colours and styles?
I ordered a variety of samples spanning oiled, lacquered, brushed and smooth and a variety of colours too. Having physical samples to understand the difference in finishes really helped me narrow down my choice. I also moved the samples around the house to see them in different rooms, at different times of day, under natural and artificial light. You’ll be amazed how much their appearance can change!
