More than just a fl oor

floorMORE by LINDA MAZUR THAN JUST A

Your floors are a core part of your home, setting the stage for your design and decorating. Beautifully worn, 100-yearold floors tell a story of their previous life, while still inspiring a vibe of eclecticism and current design trends.

Herringbone floors feel elegant, sophisticated and well-curated. Warm toned, wide-plank floors can create an inviting and cosy vibe, while the lighter blonde tones convey a chicer, more contemporary feel. Whatever style, texture and colour of flooring you have, it has undoubtedly inspired the look and feel of your home.

For several years now, we have witnessed a huge expansion in flooring products, colours and finishes. We are all familiar with traditional hardwood and engineered, but what has changed drastically is the expansion of all other flooring options. Technology has expanded and now, more than ever, the “faux” options of flooring look more and more like the real thing. Today, they are not only highly durable and waterproof, but beautifully texturized to appear natural looking while being low maintenance. From wideplank laminate to vinyl composite and LVL, you are sure to find options that will surprise and impress you.

If you are not familiar with some of these types of flooring, let’s explore a little further. Laminate flooring has been around for quite a while now. This is a hard surface flooring that is manufactured using material such as medium or high-density fibreboard, which forms the core.

Luxury vinyl, on the other hand, is a soft surface flooring product that is flexible. It comes in a variety of installation options, providing not only a great look but comfort as well. Luxury vinyl is available in an abundance of fantastic options that have the look of wood, stone or other natural material.

Vinyl composite core is still a relative newcomer to the manufactured flooring world. This flooring combines the best features of laminate and luxury vinyl. Boards are rigid planks that click together like laminate, but are constructed from a water-resistant vinyl composite material that gives them the flexibility of vinyl flooring, which can be installed anywhere… even bathrooms and laundry rooms.

And then there’s wood, always a classic choice and never out of style. Whether solid wood or engineered, the strength and popularity of this material will never wane. Wood flooring is not as delicate as some may believe. It is warm and inviting, great for a kitchen, and always able to be refinished as the years and trends go by.

Today’s flooring has seen a resurgence of the lighter tones, which is very welcoming. The dark reddish and espresso floors of past decades are gone, and being replaced with warm browns, natural wood tones and lighter, almost bleached at times, blondes. These softer tones invoke a brighter, warmer aesthetic. They show off the beautiful natural grains of the wood, adding texture, character and a sense of timelessness to your rooms.

Whether it’s a vintage herringbone parquet or a richly textured laminate reminiscent of reclaimed wood, a custom-milled narrow width white oak or a bold wideplank hickory, you are sure to find a seemingly endless number of possibilities available to you for your home.

Find something that speaks to you and set the groundwork for creating your warm and inviting home.

Linda Mazur is an award-winning, nationally publicized designer and Principal of Linda Mazur Design Group. With almost two decades of experience this in demand multidisciplinary design firm is known for creating relaxed, stylish spaces and full-scale design builds within Toronto, the GTA and throughout Canada. lindamazurdesign.com @LindaMazurGroup

PHOTO: NEUEFLOORS.COM