Parquet flooring has been around a long time and is now a design classic, often associated with older, more traditional properties. While many love this look, others are looking for flooring which feels more contemporary and works with modern interior design trends. Naturally Wood's range of Palladio Parquet flooring encompasses such a wide range of timbers and designs that clients can now achieve just about any effect they may require, creating distinctive flooring to suit properties both old and new. Here we look at a few of the most popular current design trends and consider what type of parquet would help to complement each one.
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Light and Airy
Pale colours suit a lot of contemporary furnishings, creating a neutral and minimalist feel. If traditional mid or dark-toned parquet doesn't give the right feel to go with a light and modern look, then pale parquet flooring alternatives are easily available. For instance, you could choose Canadian Maple for a very pale look, perhaps in a natural-looking single basket weave design.
Another popular choice is French Oak Rustic 1 Distressed, for slightly darker creamy/neutral tones, where a herringbone design could help to create the desired effect. The selected method of finishing your floor, perhaps with a white or grey oil, can help to give the design of your room a very contemporary, airy and light feel.
Dark and Dramatic
Dark wood flooring is very popular and can help to create a sense of drama, for instance in a dining room or even a living room. This type of flooring can be offset by light furniture such as cream sofas and rugs, or you could go for matching dark wood furniture. A dark floor is also a great backdrop for more vibrant colours, such as red or turquoise.
Wenge is one example of a dark floor which has a rich traditional look, while American Black Walnut features a more dramatic grain – both available in our Palladio Parquet range.
Warmth
A very minimalist decor can feel cold and often home and business interior designers want to add warmth, but without having to add in strong colours. A warm-coloured floor can achieve this in a subtle way, still appearing neutral but taking away from the coldness of, for example, a room which is in clinical grey and white. Types of flooring you might want to consider to add warmth to a room include the golden tones of French Oak Distressed Rustic 1, which has different shades of light gold, giving a traditional country flavour, or Merbau, which has richer reddish tones.
Simple But Not Plain
If you are looking for flooring which is minimal but not too plain, then parquet strip offers design simplicity with just as much interest from the grain as desired. For instance, European Oak Quarter Sawn gives a very fine, smooth look - but the grain prevents it looking too bare. Alternatively, European Oak Rustic Extra features a strong grain and texture, giving a very natural and modern look.
Borders
Borders to your floor are a big trend for 2013/14, including painted borders. Parquet borders are a great alternative, adding distinction to a finished floor, and they are more permanent than paint. Our borders can be supplied in any combination of species of wood and in random lengths. One attractive and unusual Palladio Parquet border, the 2 Line Maple, Sipo Mahogany & Oak Feature Border, features three beautiful woods, all with different colours, which would make a great contrast with a plainer style of floor.
Wide Plank
Another trend currently growing in popularity is wide planks, which give a more expansive and open feel, creating a less "busy" design. Some Palladio Parquet strips are available in widths of up to 210mm and in random lengths. One type of flooring which features wide planks is European Oak Rustic Extra.
Family Friendly
Many property owners are looking for up-to-the-minute design appeal, while still wanting to have a floor which is practical for everyday family life. The good news is that parquet is very durable, as all hardwood flooring is, and is easy to keep clean compared to carpets and rugs, which can harbour dirt. Parquet floors are also more durable and not prone to chipping like laminate.
Another advantage is that the parquet pattern will take the focus away from any areas of damage or dirt, so a new wooden floor stays looking good without having to be constantly cleaned. Patterns to choose from include a number of basket weaves, chevrons, herringbone and double herringbone. A distressed finish further minimises the effects of everyday wear and tear, while a mid tone or dark finish will be more tolerant to marks and dirt. One design which is the perfect example of this is Palladio Parquet Herringbone French Oak Rustic 1 Thermo Unfinished in which the colour permeates right through the wood; here the contrasting dark shades and grain, ensures the floor will stay looking good for many years to come with minimal maintenance.
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