1. NATURAL MATERIALS BRING CHARM TO UNDERFOOT
Adding interest to entryway floor tekno-step.com ideas makes this space feel more welcoming.
Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash
The use of natural materials in neutral colorways can make patterns seem subtle and sophisticated. In this London townhouse, marble references were taken from Villa Planchart (designed by Gio Ponti for Anala and Armando Planchart in Caracas, Venezuela).
This patterned marble is used in high-traffic areas, and the colours complement the antique mosaic on the wall in the entrance-meets-boot room,’ says Jo. This house’s lower and upper ground floors were covered in Parquet de Versailles as a default throughout the rest of its lower and upper floors.
2. PATTERNED TILES BRING VIBRANCE TO YOUR HOME
Interior decorator Elizabeth Hay recommends adding patterned kitchen floor tiles to a room with mostly hard surfaces to add another decorative element. Green-and-white floor tiles, teal cabinets, a teak table, and rattan stools were used in this kitchen for clients in Singapore. The ceiling is clad with tongue-and-groove cladding, as well as a light from Hector Finch.
‘Instead of just seeing the kitchen as a utilitarian space, we want it to feel like a room that we can relax in,’ says Elizabeth. Patterns on the floor can create interest in a practical way through easy-to-clean floor tile ideas.
3. A RESTORED FLOORING INTRODUCES THE CHARACTER
The character of a room is instantly enhanced by salvaged floorboards. When preserving or recreating a historic interior, perfectly matched boards in a uniform shade of brown will clash with antique furniture and fabrics. It would be best to pick up reclaimed timber from a salvage yard instead.
Retrouvius designed this room for a family that enjoys entertaining using salvaged boards and Emery & Cie tile inlays. The installation of reclaimed boards is more expensive, despite being cheaper to purchase. You can lay a parquet in numerous ways, says Retrouvius’ Nick Hughes. Be creative with how you lay the timbers.
4. TRADITIONAL STONES SHOULD BE PLACED
There is the risk that stone flooring types may look beautiful but feel cold – perhaps more so in northern Europe than in the sunny south. Visual warmth can be created by playing with shapes and colours. She mixes vintage and modern sculpture and art against a clean, refreshing background to bring her eclectic, bohemian style to every project she takes on.
She created this floor for a hotel in Byron Bay, Sydney, using travertine stone in various colours, along with sculpted sandstone, rattan furniture, cotton and linen fabrics.
5. USE PATTERNS AND PAINT TO MAKE WAVES
Floorboards can be used as a painted canvas to inject drama and fun into a room. Consider it another surface to introduce colour that complements a design scheme when choosing a bright colour for an all over block effect. For an extra touch of character and interest, you can add a stencil design.
The owner commissioned decorative artist John Harragan to paint irregular swirls across this London sitting room. The waves are cut out and painted in black-and-white monochrome to complement the sea-blue rug and hot pink curtains.