Choosing a Floor That Works
Aligning the undertones of new wood flooring with existing tiles that are not being replaced. (Before image on the right).
A Floor Story with a Happy Ending
Whether you are laying down new hardwood or engineered wood, the finish options for flooring can seem endless. It is easy to get distracted. It is easy to have a favorite color or finish that might not be the best solution for the room.
For this project, it was time to replace the wool rug in this historic condominium. The space has an unusual layout with a curved raised bar that sits on small warm neutral colored tiles. It was not time to replace the tiles, though the color felt dated and dirty. The goal was to find a wood finish that would work with the existing tile rather than compete with it or make it look worse.
The process involved bringing in a range of flooring samples and placing them directly next to the tile to see how they looked together. This is an important part of choosing materials because color is always influenced by what surrounds it. Two colors can look completely different depending on what they’re sitting next to.
That’s why I often say that colors can either flatter each other—or make each other look their worst.
Take a look at the flooring samples below. The center sample is closest to the tile in color, so the two blend together. The outer samples create more contrast, which makes the tile stand out and emphasizes the qualities we were trying to minimize.
The wood floor we chose is the one in the middle: It sits the best with the color of the tiles, therefore calling less attention to them.
Now scroll back up to the finished room. Notice how that row of tiles practically disappears next to the new flooring?
Success!
If you’re about to invest in new floors—or any other permanent surfaces in your home—and want to be sure everything works together, I can help. A design consultation can take the guesswork out of choosing materials and help you create a space where all the elements work together to look their best.