wide plank floors/ herringbone pattern, yes please...

the one thing i can't stand in a home is cheap, ugly flooring. just because it's on the ground doesn't mean you shouldn't pay attention to it when designing, or say, "oh, we'll just cover that with a rug." if i had my way i'd have reclaimed wide plank flooring or herringbone/chevron (similar but slightly different design) patterned floors in every house, including my own. they add another layer of design to the room, one that often goes unlooked.

wide plank floors were common practice during colonial times. antique heart pine was typically used in old factories & mills during the industrial revolution, antique oak was commonly found in old dairy barns in the ohio river valley, and antique chestnut was commonly used in farmhouses & old barns. most suppliers salvage these timbers from dismantled buildings, their imperfections are a part of their history and add character to their new homes. my parent's main house in nova scotia has reclaimed wide plank (pine i believe) floors of an old sailboat running throughout. they plan to reuse them when they renovate the main house...

here are some other great looking wide plank floors...

french oak wide plank, image courtesy of exquisite surfaces

antique chestnut wide plank, image courtesy of longleaf lumber

quarter sawn clear heart pine wide plank, image courtesy of longleaf lumber

wide plank floors, image courtesy of jj hardwood floors

image courtesy of antique & vintage woods

herringbone really emerged in the states around the 19th century. the privileged typically used it in more formal areas like the foyer, formal living & dining room and the library. the pattern dates back to egyptian & african origins, it was often seen in jewelry and basket designs.

chevron pattern floor, image courtesy of telegraph design

chevron pattern close-up, image courtesy of telegraph design

chevron patterned floors, image courtesy of things that inspire

herringbone patterned floors, image courtesy of things that inspire


antique bleached french oak herringbone, image courtesy of exquisite surfaces