2012 Kährs Brochure by Gabriel Jover Wood Flooring

NM 11

CREATE YOUR INTERIOR WITH A WOODEN FLOOR

Turn your house into a home with a Kährs wood floor What makes a house a home? How can we create a warm, welcoming space for socialising with family and friends? How can we achieve our own haven of calm, a space that beckons us inside and invites us to kick off our shoes and relax the moment we enter? Of course it takes love and personality, as well as the allimportant decorative touches, but beginning from the ground up, nothing adds as much style, warmth and character to a room as a wood floor. Whether you favour the classic charm of traditional rustic style, or the contemporary drama of a minimalist setting, Kährs has a floor to suit every taste. This year we’ve also added a huge selection of new products – from the exotic tropical inspired shades of the new World Collection to exciting new additions to our Linnea Habitat and Dwell ranges – offering you a bigger choice than ever.

“Trends may come and go, but quality and style are enduring.”

But with so much choice, where to start? Beginning a project is always the most difficult part, but a great way to glean inspiration is by browsing through interior design magazines, which is why we have produced this magazine. We hope that the following pages will help you as you embark on creating your dream home. Trends may come and go, but quality and style are enduring. As one of the world’s oldest producers of wood floors, for more than 150 years Kährs has strived to capture the beauty and expression of wood, and to combine it with a variety of leading floor technologies. The result is a wide range of high quality wood floors that are durable, stable and easy to install. That is why a Kährs wood floor is an investment to be enjoyed by you and your family for generations to come. Stina Andersson Designer, Kährs

From light to dark – find your inspiration A brilliantly white 1-strip floor? Or a more traditional oak? Perhaps an excitingly dark reddish-brown floor – or the strong statement of black? We have divided our magazine into four sections – from light to dark – to help you choose a floor that will contribute to creating a space that truly reflects your style. For further inspiration, you will find the informed advice of designers and architects.

Floor A Floor B

Create your dream home in our Virtual Showroom

Complete system

It has never been easier or more fun to try out your design ideas. Our interactive web tool – the Virtual Showroom – helps you visualize how a choice of wood floors combined with walls and furniture of different colours can transform a room. A dark wood floor with emerald walls and black furniture? Or white on white? The images you create can also be printed or sent by e-mail for you, your friends and family to dwell on.

The smallest things often make the biggest difference. That’s why we offer a complete flooring system where every detail, down to the skirtings, mouldings and other floor accessories, are colour matched to enhance the beauty of your floor. We also provide a wide range of installation and maintenance products.

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM COVer: OAK CAsA

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Try it out on www.kahrs.com 3

Beauty with a conscience

reVOLuTIONAry FLOOr TeCHNOLOgy In 1941, Kährs was granted a patent for a multi-layer wood flooring construction – the world’s first engineered wood floor. This method of construction made the floor more stable and allowed the raw material to be utilized in a more environmentally friendly way. Compared to a solid wood floor, Kährs construction is 75 percent more stable.

Kährs has its roots firmly planted in the heart of a Swedish forest. Our Swedish heritage characterizes everything we stand for, from our high regard for quality and design to our concern for the environment. We call it Beauty with a conscience. Our ecological approach is of long standing. It earned us an ISO 14001 environmental management certification more than a decade ago. But we didn’t stop there. environmental concern defines all our new development projects. If you believe in a sustainable society, you have to prove it.

INNOVATIVe – AND CLeAN – PrODuCTION Over the years, we have introduced a number of innovations aimed at lowering emissions to air. These include using water-based finishes, which we started with in 1984, and installing the largest air filter system in Scandinavia at our plant in Nybro. Healthy and clean production is not only beneficial for the environment – it also benefits the people working in our factories.

“At Kährs we have worked with wood since 1857”. Being both style and eco-conscious hasn’t been easy – until now. We applaud the movement that has made green glamorous. regardless of species and design, all our floors fulfil the demands that a modern wood floor should meet in terms of aesthetics, environment and quality.

SuSTAINABLe FOreSTry We work with local, national and global organizations to ensure sustainable forestry. These include leading, global programs and leading environmental groups, such as the FSC, eu, uN, WWF, greenpeace and eIA to support responsible forestry around the globe.

THe FIrST LeeD WAreHOuSe IN SCANDINAVIA In 2010, we constructed the first LeeD (Leadership in energy and environmental Design) certified warehouse in Scandinavia. The 21,000 m2 building at our factory site in Nybro was awarded with a LeeD gold certification. The new facility eliminates 1,800 truck trips to our old warehouse, reduces CO2 emissions by over 450 tons and provides many other eco-efficiencies.

Our FLOOrS Are A queSTION OF geNerATIONS Kährs floors are brilliant examples of modern ideas, reflecting old wisdom. With more than 150 years in the business, we are one of the leading and oldest producers of wood floors in europe. We are also one of the most innovative, with a history of groundbreaking wood flooring technology. Kährs was founded in 1857 in the small town of Nybro in southern Sweden. And this is where we still have our hearts, main production plant and head office.

THe BeST jOINT SySTeM – NOW eVeN BeTTer

CerTIFIeD SuPPLIerS Our suppliers are chosen from companies holding FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PeFC (Programme for endorsement of Forest Certification) certificates or equivalent documentation. We also require all suppliers to sign our code of conduct.

NOTHINg IS WASTeD At our production plant in Nybro, nothing goes to waste. The parts of the logs that we are unable to use for floors become bio-fuel. Some of this is used to heat our own facilities. The rest is provided to a local energy company. About 45,000 people in our neighbourhood enjoy the warmth of our recycled wood.

In 1999, Kährs was the first wood floor manufacturer to introduce a mechanical glueless joint system – the ingenious Woodloc® system. This system revolutionized the wood flooring market. With the Woodloc® 5S joint we’ve taken it a step further. The new joint ensures even faster installation and a stronger floor.

Style secrets – how to create the best results 1-, 2- or 3-strip flooring

Calm or rustic

Long planks in one strip. Two or three strips. Patterns. Kährs provides the flooring designs that will allow you to set your decorating agenda. Below you will find some tips on how to achieve the best results.

Natural graining and colour variation. gnarls and knots. uniformity. The character of the wood is just as important for the overall impression of the floor as the size of the strips. Our long experience in sorting by appearance enables us to offer floors with a multitude of looks and styles.

CITY SeLeCTION – THe CLeAN LOOK If you like a calm, minimalistic impression, look for a floor in the City selection. These floors are stylishly understated; they are created from a uniform and regular timber grade with small variations in grain and tone. They can be light or dark, depending on the wood species, but the tone and overall effect is uniform.

1-sTRIp DeSIgN

2-sTRIp DeSIgN

3-sTRIp DeSIgN

The impressive planks of a 1-strip floor are perfect for big spaces, such as this long and airy hallway. The surface of a 1-strip board is sawn in one piece. This emphasizes the natural feeling and shows the character of the wood species fully, whether it is clean or rustic with knots, variations in colour and in grain.

If you want a floor with a unique look, take a look at our 2-strip floors. The wear layer of these floors is two strips wide. The strips are individually selected and arranged to give each floor its individual character. Our 2-strip floors work well in spaces of all sizes, like this living room.

Our 3-strip floors can be sorted in many different ways to create floors with different expressions, accentuating liveliness or calm. The wear layer of these floors is three strips’ wide. They offer a wide range of decorating possibilities, but are often used in smaller spaces, like this hallway. Creating a linear effect, a 3-strip floor gives the illusion of a larger and more open space.

TOWN SeLeCTION – THe LIVeLy FLOOr If you’re looking for a classical backdrop, allowing the rest of the decoration to take “centre stage”, take a look at our Town selection. Dark or light, these floors are characterized by variations in colour, tone and pattern.

PATTerN Combining a traditional look and modern styling, Kährs collection of patterned wood floor offers a choice of intricate patterns, adding a touch of classical elegance to any interior. The surface layer of these floors features a repeating pattern of strips. using different types of wood species and surface treatments, you can achieve stunning looks with these floors. 6

SHIP’S DeCK To create an instant maritime feel, a Ship’s Deck floor is the obvious choice. Following an old tradition, they feature a decorative strip edge and with wood plugs at the end of each board. requiring a great amount of manual work and attention to detail, these floors are among the most exclusive you can find.

COUNTRY SeLeCTION – ruSTIC LOOK For a bold and unmistakably natural look, opt for our Country selection. Here you will find floors with a more rustic feel. They feature dramatic graining, gnarls and knots and they have greater colour variations than our other floors. 7

The surface is what your eyes see and your feet feel Trust your senses. A wood floor is always soft and warm underfoot. But the ultimate feeling and look depends on the finish and surface treatment. your preferences regarding looks, feeling, colour and maintenance should be the main arguments for your choice.

sILk MATT LACqUER – A SMOOTH SurFACe

MATT LACqUER NATURE OIL – uNTreATeD IN APPeArANCe – A NATurAL FeeLINg

Our silk matt lacquer complements the wood’s character by accentuating its natural structure, adding lustre and depth to the colour tone. It also makes the floor more hardwearing and easier to clean. At the same time, the lacquer is one of the thinnest available.

Our matt lacquer creates the impression that the floor is made from untreated bare wood. The soft-to-touch natural surface is incredibly tactile and pleasing underfoot. A matt lacquer is as hardwearing and easy to maintain as a silk matt lacquer.

Our Nature oil gives the floor a wonderfully natural feeling. The oil brings out the wood’s texture and graining, and enhances its tone. Floors treated with Nature oil are easy to maintain, but they need a little more care than lacquered floors and should be treated with Kährs Satin Oil regularly.

sTAINED

BRUsHED

Stains are used to further enhance natural colour tones – from palest white and whisper greys to shades of rich mocha and charcoal – or to give the wood a new colour.

Brushing the surface highlights the natural structure of the grain and creates additional texture. Brushing is usually accompanied by other surface treatments, such as a bevelled finish and a colour stain or glaze.

BEvELLED EDgEs

HANDsCRApED

Bevelling the edges of the boards accentuates the planks. This design feature ranges from a micro-bevel, a slight accentuation of the edge, to a more dramatic, stronger bevel on all edges.

By using different wood scraping and sanding manual tools you can give a new wood floor a worn appearance. A great amount of manual work is put into these floors, which provide a truly rustic character.

We are all different – so are our floors exCLuSIVe HANDMADe FLOOrS

SeTTINg THe STANDArD IN WOOD FLOOrINg

kährs supreme is a range of oak, walnut and maple floors with striking and unique looks, united by the amount of manual work and attention to detail put into each floor. They are hand-made by highly skilled craftsmen, who have given each floor a distinct look that cannot be re-created by machines.

kährs Original is – like the name suggests – our original and widest range. Over the decades, these floors have found their place into private homes, shops, offices, hotels and public spaces all over the world. And with time, they have become world famous for their high quality and versatility. The Original Collection includes floors made from a wide range of wood species – but they are all united by their Scandinavian and classical appearance.

20 mm

15 mm More information on page 86.

supreme Collections

Original Collections – news

20 mm

15 mm

grande – impressive in scale and beauty

Avenue – sophistication in a floor

Elegance – the modern classic revitalized

The grande Collection features traditional looking “plank” floors in dimensions previously not available in a modern multilayered format. The floors measure an impressive 2800 mm long by 260 mm wide. The grande Collection includes floors of many colour variations. This year we have added two new grande floors – Citadelle, which is oiled into a striking grey and estate, natural and light with wooden plugs.

The Avenue Collection has been designed and developed with stylish city living in mind. These sophisticated and elegant floors would, however, suit any interior style, be it modern or traditional. Avenue floors are crafted from a single plank of wood, giving a sought after one-strip look. These floors are made from maple and walnut, stained into rich colour tones.

The elegance Collection includes four different styles. Tapis and Croix feature intricate patterns, characterized by a mixture of traditional charm and modern styling; a perfect blend of old and new that will lend itself beautifully to any home. This year, we have added two new patterns; Ancienne, a classical French style in three widths, and Baton with a Herringbone pattern.

More information on page 87.

Artisan – Kährs gets artistic

Harmony – new colours

The new Artisan Collection of floors is crafted from rustic oak. The collection includes tonestrip wooden floors that each have an individual, hand crafted surface finish. The timber’s gnarled and knotty character is further enhanced by a spectrum of natural oil pre-finishes, which span deep ebony to bluetinged white, each providing durability.

The Harmony Collection features a series of stained three-strip floors. The new floors are characterised by their rustic grain and brushed matt lacquer or a natural oil finish. This year, we have added five new floors to the collection, ranging from white lacquer and brushed oak to smoked grey.

Tropical alternatives and FSC tropical certified wood in the World Collection The World Collection includes excitingly dark reddish-brown floors. Over the past year, we have created beautifully stained, oak-based tropical alternatives that perfectly replicate the warmth and harmonious look of tropical hardwoods. Soon we will also offer FSC certified tropical hardwoods that also comply with our focus on responsible forestry, sustainability and fair trade.

reFLeCTINg THe True SPIrIT

THe THIN DeSIgNer FLOOr IN reAL WOOD

kährs spirit offers 1-strip design floors in a variety of colours and species. The range has been developed using the latest technologies and ideas to achieve floors that are both beautiful and modern. These attractive floors have a finish that keeps its brilliance and durability for many years. The Spirit floors are perfect for renovation projects and equally suitable for residential and contract areas, such as offices and hotel rooms.

Pleasing to the eye and to the touch, kährs Linnea range has a smart and modern construction that combines the aesthetic with the practical. With a thin wear layer and at just 7 mm thick, these floors provide an ecofriendly real wood-flooring option that’s both durable and easy to install – perfect for renovation projects, for instance. Their format also provides a multitude of design options, which means that they are many designers’ favourite choice. Linnea is best suited for residential areas.

10 mm

mm More information on page 89.

More information on page 90.

Linnea Collections

City slick The Spirit Collection features a range of smooth and lacquered oak, hickory and walnut floors that are perfect for city slickers with a taste for elegance. The eight floors in the collection have been brushed and stained in a wide range of colours, from light, almost white, Arctic oak to dark Orchard walnut. These 1-strip wood floors are slim enough to use in renovation projects – but are still resandable.

All floors throughout the Spirit Collection feature an eco-friendly construction; they are crafted from sustainable wood and feature a multi-layered construction, which uses hardwood down to the joint only, with fast-growing timber below. The floors can be refurbished in exactly the same way as a solid floor and the “criss-cross” build offers additional performance benefits, including 75 per cent greater stability.

Dwell – trendy, yet traditional The new Dwell Collection features two floors; gotham with a pattern that resembles industrial parquet and Loft, a version of a classical Dutch pattern, popular in the 1950s. The floors are available in oak as well as walnut, all with a matt lacquered surface. This year, we have added four trendsetting, multi-striped floors to the Dwell Collection, in colours that range from natural, pale wood to dramatic black and white.

Habitat – urban chic The cool and glamorous Habitat Collection includes five, new stunning oak and walnut floors, made from big 1-strip planks. The surfaces of the Habitat floors have been treated in a number of ways – matt lacquered or oiled, micro-bevelled, smoked and brushed – to create a distinct and unique look.

Living – bohemian with a modern twist

Lodge – where the home is

Classic, yet modern, the Living Collection features a collection of 1-strip floors made from several wood species stained in different colours, ranging from white Oak Blanc to dark Hard Maple espresso. The floors in the Living Collection are all lacquered, some in silk matt lacquer for a smooth finish, and some with matt lacquer for a softer look. Some also feature bevelled edges.

If your home is your castle, opt for a floor from the Lodge Collection. This collection includes a series of floors ranging from palest birch to classic oak, from warm cherry to darkish walnut. If you dream of adding a marine touch to your home, look no further as this collection also includes two shipsdecking floors.

WHITe AND LIgHT

BrILLIANTLy WHITe – CreATINg LIgHT AND SPACe

Stina Andersson, designer

“using shots of colour and soft textures against a pure-white background, you can create a home that’s both warm and serene,” says Stina Andersson, designer at Kährs. “Some people are afraid to use white and light flooring, as they think that they will be perceived as cold. But everything comes down to what you team your white floor with,” she continues. The versatility of white As a designer at Kährs, Stina Andersson takes an active part in developing new floors. “There has been an increased demand for white floors over the last couple of years, as more and more people discover how versatile they are. We have recently introduced a number of white and light floors of different hues, surface treatments and

size, which means that you now have great possibilities to enhance the interior style that you’re aiming for,” she says. pure brilliance with white on white “If you use white on white – white floors, white walls and a white ceiling, combined with smooth surfaces and neutral textiles – the result will be pure, celestial and brilliant. A white backdrop is also perfect for showing striking pieces, like eclectic finds, treasured heirlooms or designer furniture.” “But regardless of what you team your white or light floor with and what type of white floor you choose, it will add to the feeling of light and space and create a sense of simplicity and flow in your home.”

exAMPLeS OF WHITe AND LIgHT FLOOrS

CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU sNOW

uNITy COLLeCTION – ARCTIC OAK

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK CLOUD

White and light floors require a little more maintenance than darker floors – but with a little extra care they will stay beautiful for many years. ArTISAN COLLeCTION – OAK OYsTER

SAND COLLeCTION – OAK BRIgHTON

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK BLANC

ArTISAN COLLeCTION – OAK OYsTER

FeATHer LIgHT

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK DOME

Designers Comment “With an abundance of natural light, like in this spacious family loft home, a white floor contributes to the sense of serenity and infinity. By adding a few touches of strong and bold colours like turquoise, yellow and red to an otherwise monochrome palette, the home owners have managed to create both depth and interest.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM HerITAge COLLeCTION – OAK vALOIs

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uNITy COLLeCTION – ARCTIC OAK

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK CLOUD

ArTISAN COLLeCTION – OAK LINEN

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SIMPLICITy

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CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU WHITE

SAND COLLeCTION – ASH sANDvIg

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

Designers Comment “In this majestic villa on the sea, nature is used both for inspiration and admiration. The calm and serene interior forms a perfect backdrop for the rugged scenery outside, where the elements are a vital part of the experience of the house. A simple, monochrome palette and the few, carefully selected objects add to the sense of timelessness and proximity to nature.” CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU sNOW

SAND COLLeCTION – OAK BRIgHTON

SAND COLLeCTION – OAK sORRENTO

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SAND COLLeCTION – ASH skAgEN

WOOD ON WOOD

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AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – HArD MAPLe WINNIpEg

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – HArD MAPLe TORONTO

Designers Comment “Nothing beats wood for creating warmth. In this house, nature is invited into the home through majestic windows, while natural materials like wood, fur, leather and wool contribute to erasing the border between inside and out. The careful mix of natural and atmospheric lighting adds to the warm ambiance.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

ArTISAN COLLeCTION – OAK OYsTER

ArTISAN COLLeCTION – OAK LINEN

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK BLANC

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK BIsqUIT

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reTrO gLAMOur

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CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU sNOW

HArMONy COLLeCTION – OAK LIMEsTONE

Designers Comment “This house oozes retro glamour. The elegant and sophisticated interior that evokes images of the most glamorous settings of the 1950s and 1960s, features a light floor, glossy white walls and ceiling, creating a perfect backdrop to pieces of designer furniture. The warm reddish brown of the wood kitchen cabinets adds warmth to this ultra chic interior.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK DOME

uNITy COLLeCTION – ARCTIC OAK

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK CLOUD

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PerFeCT NATurALS

OAK – CHOOSe yOur KNOTS WITH CAre

Staffan Tollgard, architect

“Listen to your home! Is it an old converted barn in the countryside? Or a modern flat in the city centre? Mostly it pays to choose a floor that reflects the era during which the house was built, the architecture and the structure of the building,” says London based architect Staffan Tollgard. Most important interior element With its Notting Hill showroom and the group’s new studio in the Algarve, the award-winning Staffan Tollgard Design group offers bespoke interior design services for an international clientele, many of which are found in central London. They often use Kährs oak floors in their interior designs.

“The floor is the single most important element of an interior. It’s where your eyes naturally fall and what your feet touch when you enter a home. That is why it’s so important to choose your floor with care.” Cosy with a dark floor “The colour affects the diffusion of the light and the sense of space. A dark floor absorbs the light and makes the room feel smaller – as well as cosier, while a floor with lots of knots gives a country vibe,” says Staffan Tollgard. “Oak floors are wonderfully versatile for many interiors as they can look so different depending on stain, size and shape of the board as well as character of the wood,” he adds.

exAMPLeS OF PerFeCT NATurAL FLOOrS

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK TOWER

LIVINg COLLeCTION – CHerry MUsCOvADO

LODge COLLeCTION – OAK BREEzE

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK ARDENNE

MArINA COLLeCTION – OAK/ ASH sTAvANgER

COASTAL COLLeCTION – OAK DRIFTWOOD

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eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK CORNWALL

Designers Comment “Right now there’s a hype in Britain to convert barns into private homes – like this house. A lively oak floor is perfect in this setting, accentuating the feel of rough chic. A pared-down backdrop of muted colours and a few treasured objects contribute to turning the humble into cool.”

eNgLISH COuNTry

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK sIENA

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK HAMpsHIRE

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK vERONA

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK jERsEY

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK ARDENNE

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ISLAND HIDeAWAy

NOrDIC NATurALS COLLeCTION – BeeCH TRONDHEIM

Designers Comment “Designed to blend in with nature, this contemporary low level house draws inspiration from the sea, sky and birds. It also speaks firmly of the owners’ strong interest in nature; the huge windows are perfect for watching the migrating birds that pass over this island in the Baltic Sea. Natural materials, like wood and stone, contribute to erasing the borders between outside and in.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM

NOrDIC NATurALS COLLeCTION – BeeCH HELLERUp

PrOVeNCe COLLeCTION – OAK CAMARgUE

www.kahrs.com NOrDIC NATurALS COLLeCTION – BeeCH OsLO

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COuNTry reTreAT

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CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU BRONzE

Designers Comment “A fresh, effortless style of endless summers and long weekends in Long Island is perfectly captured in this house. The use of wood for floor, walls and ceiling throughout the house contributes to the casual and cosy atmosphere. Combined with fresh flower and stones, nature takes first stage in this house.”

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – CHerry sAvANNAH

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

LIVINg COLLeCTION – CHerry MUsCOvADO

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – CHerry COLUMBUs

LODge COLLeCTION – CHerry WINTER

grANDe COLLeCTION – OAK vILLA

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PArIS je T’AIMe

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eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK WEIMAR

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK MADRID HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK TOWER

Designers Comment “In an old building like this with its rich wall stucco, a classic oak floor is perfect – while a modern floor would look wrong. This is a good example of how architecture and floor rhyme together to create a perfect and harmonious backdrop for both classic and modern furniture and objects.”

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK WEIMAR

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK vERONA

eurOPeAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – OAK MILANO

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MArINA

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COASTAL COLLeCTION – OAK BARNACLE

Designers Comment “In this magnificent house on the sea, the ripples of the water are reflected in the brushed structure of the oak floor with its distinct bevelled edges, inviting the sea into the house. The muted colour of the floor is perfect in this setting – combined with the white walls it provides a good platform for an effortlessly, elegant style with a distinct maritime feel.”

MArINA COLLeCTION – OAK/DArK STrIP MARBELLA

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

MArINA COLLeCTION – OAK/ ASH sTAvANgER

COASTAL COLLeCTION – OAK DRIFTWOOD

COASTAL COLLeCTION – OAK qUAY

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COASTAL COLLeCTION – OAK sEAWEED

DArK AND SPICy

COLOur yOur HOMe COSy WITH A BrOWN FLOOr

Claudia de Bruyn, designer

“Combine a brown or brownish red floor with soft light and tactile fabrics and you achieve a warm and cosy take on minimalism,” says Claudia de Bruyn, designer and interior architect based in germany. “The floor covers a big space of the room and is therefore extremely important for the overall impression. Wood floors in opulent tones of brown and reddish brown make a space feel more grounded. rich shades contribute to an intimate and cosy feeling,” says Claudia de Bruyn. Your floor is a blank canvas One of the assignments for Claudia de Bruyn, named interior architect of germany in 2010, is to develop office flooring. “The floor is one of the

most important interior elements for me. If the floor is right for the space, you can’t go very wrong with the rest. Think of your floor as a blank canvas with the potential for creating real impact,” she says. sunny yellow for a modern style “If you want to create an international, modern style, you can combine your brown floor with strong colours, like a sunny yellow or bright red. If you, on the other hand, opt for a more traditional look, try dark walls and muted colours combined with classic furniture and original accessories. This will also create a perfect backdrop for ethnic style and strong statement pieces,” says Claudia de Bruyn.

exAMPLeS OF DArK AND SPICy FLOOrS

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – WALNuT vERMONT

WOrLD COLLeCTION – OAK HABANERO

WOrLD COLLeCTION – OAK CHILI

uNITy COLLeCTION – ORCHARD WALNuT

HerITAge COLLeCTION – OAK ROMANOv

HArMONy COLLeCTION – OAK sOIL

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AVeNue COLLeCTION – WALNuT MAjEsTIC

CONTeMPOrAry ITALIAN

WOrLD COLLeCTION – jArrAH sYDNEY

Designers Comment “This flat oozes sumptuous, contemporary Italian style. Reddish brown wood is used as an important design element throughout the interior, creating a warm and cosy feeling. It also contributes to softening the overall impression of the otherwise unfussy and clean space. Downsize on things and upsize on high quality wood to get the look.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

WOrLD COLLeCTION – OAK HABANERO

WOrLD COLLeCTION – OAK CAYENNE

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK AMBER

AVeNue COLLeCTION – WALNuT pALACE

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COLOureD CHILL

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grANDe COLLeCTION – OAK ARCH

HArMONy COLLeCTION – OAK EMBER

Designers Comment “A splash of rainbow colours gives this home a vibrant feel. Pockets of bright colours shine throughout the flat, which oozes self-confidence. A splash of vibrant colours is an easy way to give your home an eye-catching update. White walls and a brown floor form a calm background and allows for playfulness in the details.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

HerITAge COLLeCTION – OAK ROMANOv

CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU BROWN

ArTISAN COLLeCTION – OAK EARTH

uNITy COLLeCTION – UMBER OAK

See all samples on page 86 or experiment with them at www.kahrs.com 55

Designers Comment “Quality never goes out of style. A good example is this flat, where a few heirlooms passed down from generation to generation have been mixed with some new design classics to create an eternally stylish home. The rich, dark colours create a perfect backdrop, highlighting the classic and elegant feeling.”

HIgH SOCIeTy

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – WALNuT pHILADELpHIA

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

HABITAT COLLeCTION – WALNuT sTATUE

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – WALNuT ATLANTA

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – WALNuT MONTREAL

AMerICAN NATurALS COLLeCTION – WALNuT vERMONT

See all samples on page 86 or experiment with them at www.kahrs.com 57

MANSION

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM www.kahrs.com 58

eLegANCe COLLeCTION – OAK CROIx MARRON

Designers Comment “An eclectic mix of finds from trips around the globe takes centre stage in this home. To underpin the sense of classical, colonial elegance, the homeowners have chosen furniture and accessories that are period pieces. Soft and warm colours contribute to the effortless grace of the house.”

eLegANCe COLLeCTION – OAK TApIs MARRON

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU BROWN

AVeNue COLLeCTION – WALNuT RITz

AVeNue COLLeCTION – WALNuT pALACE

AVeNue COLLeCTION – WALNuT MAjEsTIC

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PrOVeNCe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM www.kahrs.com 62

PrOVeNCe COLLeCTION – OAK AvIgNON

PrOVeNCe COLLeCTION – OAK ARLEs

Designers Comment “The warm, russet shades of Provence have clearly inspired the owners of this house, which speaks of the traditions of the region, warmth and endless sunshine. It is also a showcase for the family’s appetite for all things nice, enjoyed with family and friends. The right ambience is created with warm colours, wood and the aroma of fresh herbs.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM

HerITAge COLLeCTION – OAK ROMANOv

ArTISAN COLLeCTION – OAK EARTH

grANDe COLLeCTION – OAK ARCH

www.kahrs.com HerITAge COLLeCTION – OAK pLANTAgENET

See all samples on page 86 or experiment with them at www.kahrs.com 65

MANHATTAN MAISONNeTTe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM www.kahrs.com PrOVeNCe COLLeCTION – OAK TARAsCON

Designers Comment “Take something old and give it a totally new setting. This is a good recipe to achieve the personal touch that makes a home interesting. This is also what the owners of this stylish New York home have done. Their fascination with oriental art is evident throughout the flat and highlighted against a backdrop of warm, muted colours, brick and wood.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

AVeNue COLLeCTION – WALNuT RITz

HerITAge COLLeCTION – OAK ALTAvILLA

AVeNue COLLeCTION – WALNuT pALACE

grANDe COLLeCTION – OAK ARCH

See all samples on page 86 or experiment with them at www.kahrs.com 67

grey AND BLACK

Peke Hallenheim, designer and architect

BLACK BeAuTy – THe ATTrACTION OF CONTrASTS

“A black or grey floor makes a strong statement in an interior. And no matter what your style is – be it traditional or modern – the impression will be elegant,” says Peke Hallenheim, designer and architect with assignments from russia to the uS. “A dark floor can help to draw the outside in. It will highlight the rest of the interior in an interesting way, creating a perfect backdrop to offset furniture, art and collectables. It will also help you to create contrasts in your home. And as it’s easier for the eye to focus on contrasts, it will add interest to your interior,” he says. Can be used even in small spaces As a designer of furniture, interiors and houses in many countries, Peke Hallenheim has wide experience of playing with colours and using

different type of elements. “Although a dark floor generally absorbs light, it can be used both in small and dark spaces. Teamed with extra-white walls and light, natural accessories, you will achieve a contemporary look. If you, on the other hand, add colours on the walls and traditional furniture, it will create a sense of sober elegance.” Accentuates the natural grain “Trends come and go, but dark floors have always been popular in warmer climates, such as the Mediterranean countries. But they’ve also become increasingly sought after further north.” “An advantage with a black or grey floor is that it accentuates the natural grain of the wood. It also holds its colour well over time and doesn’t easily get bleached,” says Peke Hallenheim.

exAMPLeS OF grey AND BLACK FLOOrS

uNITy COLLeCTION – CLIFF OAK

HArMONy COLLeCTION – OAK LAvA

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK CAsTLE

CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU CHARCOAL

uNITy COLLeCTION – vOLCANO OAK

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK COAL

HerITAge COLLeCTION – OAK CHARLEMAgNE

Designers Comment “The unfussy feel of this home has been created as an antidote to the busy working lives of the owners. The materials they have picked all have some vital things in common – they are derived from nature, they age beautifully, they have a history and they bring warmth to an interior that might have been conceived as cold otherwise.”

ANTIDOTe

uNITy COLLeCTION – CLIFF OAK

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU gREY

www.kahrs.com

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK CAsTLE

CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU CHARCOAL

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK COAL

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BrOOKLyN

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grANDe COLLeCTION – OAK MAIsON

DWeLL COLLeCTION – POPLAr NOTTINg HILL

Designers Comment “This converted warehouse oozes urban sophistication. The raw feeling has been preserved and turned into an important interior element through the use of a steely grey colour scheme, with grey floors, grey walls and a grey carpet. Wood and a few touches of red soften the overall impression.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

uNITy COLLeCTION – CLIFF OAK

grANDe COLLeCTION – OAK EspACE

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK CAsTLE

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK COAL

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MuLHOLLAND DrIVe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM www.kahrs.com 76

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK CAsTLE

HArMONy COLLeCTION – OAK FOg

Designers Comment “This LA home reeks of Hollywood. The movie star glamour of the house has been achieved through teaming black, white and wood. To soften the sophisticated elegance, the homeowners have mixed their design icons with a few cosy touches; a pile of cushions in warm colours on the sofa, a set of Russian dolls and a few touches of vibrant red.”

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

HArMONy COLLeCTION – OAK LAvA

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK CAsTLE

uNITy COLLeCTION – vOLCANO OAK

See all samples on page 86 or experiment with them at www.kahrs.com

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK COAL

Designers Comment “The sculptural frame of this stunning home has been cleverly highlighted by its owners, who have added warmth to the strong, modern architecture through dark floors and muted colours. The design icons fit perfectly into this uncluttered house, which speaks strongly of the owners’ conviction to keep things only if they are beautiful – and functional.”

ArCHITeCT

uNITy COLLeCTION – vOLCANO, OAK

OTHer FLOOr IDeAS FOr THIS STyLe

VIrTuAL SHOWrOOM CLASSIC NOuVeAu COLLeCTION – OAK NOUvEAU CHARCOAL

www.kahrs.com

HABITAT COLLeCTION – OAK CAsTLE

LIVINg COLLeCTION – OAK COAL

uNITy COLLeCTION – vOLCANO OAK

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The perfect finish The smallest things often make the biggest difference. This is true of a Kährs floor, where the highest level of skill and craftsmanship is added to every detail, including the skirtings, mouldings and other floor accessories.

THe FINAL TOuCH

A MINIMAL SOLuTION

NOTHINg BeATS A gOOD eND

With the skirting boards you create the final touch; not only to the floor, but also to the whole room. We offer a variety of skirting boards that are colourmatched to all Kährs floors.

A narrow and flexible quadrant is the obvious choice when you have skirting boards that you can’t remove, or if full-sized skirting boards are impossible to use. quadrants offer quick, easy finishing against preexisting base boards.

Nothing beats a staircase with wood floor if you are aiming for an elegant look. use stair noses to create a perfect end to every step in the staircase. There are two types of Kährs stair noses, depending on the floor you are using: Woodloc® and Tongue & groove.

5 1 WHeN CArPeT MeeTS WOOD For a transition between a wood floor and a carpet there are two options. you can either use edge mouldings or level mouldings, depending on the height of the carpet. But whatever the solution, you can be certain that the result will look good.

True MArrIAge BeTWeeN STONe AND WOOD Natural materials like stone and wood work really well together. If you want to create a perfect marriage between stone and wood in your home you can choose between two different solutions, depending on the height of the stone floor – either use edge mouldings or level mouldings.

BIg IDeAS FOr TINy SPACeS Sometimes even a quadrant is too big to use to cover the gap between the floor and the wall or window. If this is the case, the best solution is to use an edge moulding for a nice and clean look.

read more about Kährs Flooring System at www.kahrs.com 82

Performance – all the way

KäHrS – THe SAMe AS A SOLID STrIP FLOOr

THe STrONgeST SurFACe THAT WON’T TurN yeLLOW

The construction of our floors takes full advantage of the entire wear layer on each plank. Kährs plain-sawn wear layer is fully comparable in thickness to a solid strip floor wear layer. This is because sanding is only possible down to the tongue and groove in solid floors.

The surface of the floor is visually the most important part. The surface treatment should therefore be strong enough to withstand daily wear and tear, but thin enough so as not to hide the wood’s lustre.

guArANTee Kährs has been manufacturing quality multi-layered wood floors for more than 60 years. We are proud of our products, which have a factory-applied finish and a top layer that can be sanded several times, except for Linnea. Combined with a complete care and maintenance programme, this allows Kährs to offer a guarantee of up to 30 years.

Wood facts

THe BeST CLIMATe STABILITy Since wood is a natural material that is affected by climatic changes, a wood floor moves with the seasons. To minimise movement, it is important to obtain the right balance between the different layers in each board – top, core and backing.

uNexPOSeD

exPOSeD AFTer 2–3 yeArS

uNexPOSeD

exPOSeD AFTer 2–3 yeArS

uNexPOSeD

exPOSeD AFTer 2–3 yeArS

uNexPOSeD

exPOSeD AFTer 2–3 yeArS

SOFTer

OAK

SOFTer

OAK

SOFTer

OAK

SOFTer

OAK

HArDer

ASH

HArD MAPLe

BeeCH

OAK

The sapwood is almost white and the heartwood ranges from grey through light brown to light yellow with brown streaks. Some grades have very special figuring, which gives the floor an entirely unique and lively character.

The sapwood is cream-coloured, with a tendency to reddish brown, and the heartwood varies from light to dark brown with red highlights. It usually has fine figuring with a straight, but sometimes slightly wavy grain.

Beech ranges in colour from light cream to medium tan/brown with pinkorange overtones. It is usually straightgrained, with dense figuring that adds warmth, while its uniform appearance makes the room seem airy.

White Oak is the most popular species for floors and furniture in europe and the uSA due to its beautiful appearance and long life.

place of origin: Sweden

place of origin: North America

place of origin: Sweden

Colour change: A medium degree of change over time from a lighter freshly-sanded tone to a straw/tan colour.

Colour change: A medium degree of colour change, from a creamy white to golden over time.

Colour change: A medium degree of colour change with a slight muting of the orange colours and ambering over time.

Hardness: 10% harder than Oak

Hardness: 30% harder than Oak

Hardness: Same hardness as Oak

Colour change: A medium degree of colour change with slight ambering over time.

uNexPOSeD

exPOSeD AFTer 2–3 yeArS

uNexPOSeD

exPOSeD AFTer 2–3 yeArS

uNexPOSeD

exPOSeD AFTer 2–3 yeArS

SOFTer

OAK

SOFTer

OAK

SOFTer

OAK

HArDer

place of origin: Sweden and europe

Hardness: Oak is hard, dense and extremely strong which makes it highly suitable for floors. We use Oak as a reference when we compare with other wood species.

HArDer

CHerry

WALNuT

jArrAH

A beautiful and versatile species, warm, individual and charming. The sapwood is creamy white while the heartwood can vary from deep red to reddish brown, which together forms a fine-figured, straight grain.

A dark, exclusive wood with a sapwood that is creamy white but the heartwood is a light brown to dark chocolate brown, sometimes with a tendency to purple. The wood gains a special lustre over the years.

jarrah has been used traditionally because of its durability and hardness. It has a smooth surface and straight graining. The sapwood and heartwood vary from salmon-pink to deep red.

place of origin: North America

Colour change: Cherry undergoes an extreme degree of colour change with pronounced darkening to a dark reddish colour when fully aged.

Colour change: A medium to high degree of colour change with the dark brown heartwood lightening over time to a more golden brown

Hardness: 3% softer than Oak

Hardness: 10% softer than Oak

place of origin: Australia

uNDerFLOOr HeATINg

THe eASIeST INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION TOOLS AND MATerIAL

CAre AND MAINTeNANCe

Kährs floors and underfloor heating go hand-in-hand. However, certain points should be considered: The surface temperature of the finished floor must never exceed 27°C in any area. Another point is that certain wood species, such as beech and hard maple, are not suitable to combine with underfloor heating.

Laying a Kährs floor means less work. Much of the explanation lies in the ingenious Woodloc® joint. The boards lock together mechanically, with virtually invisible joints. In addition to producing perfect results, it also makes installation quick and simple. The fit is also important for the durability of the floor.

Kährs offers a wide range of installation tools and material to make the installation easy and to get the perfect end result. The range covers different underlayers for moisture protection and sound dampening, tools for all installation phases and the easy-to-forget finishing materials.

Like any other product, there is a need for maintenance to keep the floor in good shape. The Kährs Care and Maintenance range covers all you need for daily care or for regular maintenance as well as products for damaged floors. More detailed instructions are available in the Installation guide and Maintenance & repair guide that we strongly recommend you to download.

Colour change: Finished floors often have a dark brown to reddish purple colour, which also deepens over the years. Hardness: 25% harder than Oak

THe rIgHT FLOOr FOr THe rIgHT AreAS Different wood species naturally have different degrees of hardness. For areas exposed to a great deal of wear and tear, it’s best to choose one of the harder wood species. At Kährs we only produce floors in the harder wood species. The only exception is Birch, a medium-hard species that is not recommended in areas exposed to a lot of wear and tear, such as kitchens, receptions and bars. The table compares the hardness of different wood species.