I love the look of my white painted wood floors, but to be honest they’re a pain to maintain, showing up every bit of dirt and starting to chip in places. Original wood floors look great, but if I could do it all again, I’d probably opt for a more durable oak flooring in a light stain. So when Woodpecker Flooring got in touch, I was intrigued to discover their range of grey flooring.
Their warming ashen shades and dusky hues, hand-finished to perfection with lacquer or oil to bring out the natural texture, are timeless but contemporary. Each range, from Salcombe to Harlech, is inspired by natural landscapes, seaside towns and woodland forests, with the intention of capturing an element of nature and bringing it inside.
Woodpecker say: ‘Our family grew up in the timber industry. Passionate about the personality, life and atmosphere that wood flooring brings to the home, we’ve loved working with this natural material for more than two decades, from our very first small factory all the way up to the thirteen manufacturing facilities that we have around the globe today.’
Woodpecker’s wood is sustainably harvested with FSC and PEFC certifications. It is air dried for over 12 months before going into a kiln twice to bring out any residual moisture and ensure stability. Natural patterns and knots are celebrated to create a natural feel.
Here I profile three of my favourites and suggest how they could be styled in your own interior, while my mood board gathers textures and tones for inspiration.
Harlech White Oiled Oak, £64.95/sq m
This smart, white oak floor with its light, soft tones instantly lights up a room. Named after the North Wales seaside town of Harlech, it’s clean and contemporary, perfect for warming up white walls and minimal spaces.
The White Oiled Oak Harlech also has a lovely shade to it, without the harsh yellow or orange stain you can sometimes get with wood flooring. Pair with sculptural, mid-century style furniture and soften the look with lots of thick, cosy textures for a calm, relaxed space.
Each plank is treated with five coats of oil to enhance the natural grain of the wood, and fitted together in a traditional tongue and groove for a clean finish.
York Grey Washed Oak, £65.95/ sq m
This grey washed oak fuses the traditional and the contemporary, pairing the wood’s rich natural grain with a warming ashen shade. Distinct knots add character, while the matt lacquer brings out the grain patterns.
The York Grey Washed Oak is perfect for those who like the timeless appeal of solid oak flooring but want to update the look for a lighter space. Complement the texture and knots of the wood with even more texture, I’m thinking shaggy Moroccan-style rugs and rattan furniture, with an urban jungle of house plants to bring the outside in.
Says Woodpecker Flooring: ‘Our York range speaks of the timeless tranquility of a woodland bridge, surrounded by the ancient trees of the North York Moors. Dappling sunlight shines between leaves above, a cool bubbling emanating from the spring below as it chortles towards the rugged nearby heaths.’ Sounds appealing doesn’t it? Bottle a little of that feeling and bring nature in with this style.
Salcombe Moonbeam Oak, £59.95/sq m
Just the name ‘Moonbeam’ sounds appealing. This range is inspired by the seaside town of Salcombe in Devon and the ‘delicate ray of dim light which rests on the sea’s surface at night.’ Placid waters and the fresh scent of sea air is translated into an ashen hued finish with subtle blue tinges.
The slow-grown oak has wide and flowing patterns, ideal for larger rooms. Style Salcombe Moonbeam Oak with a statement sofa – a white linen one would look great – deep green accessories and dark grey accents for a cosy retreat to escape to in the evenings.
Matt lacquer finishes the surface with an elegant sheen while an Easiloc fitting system ensures a seamless installation.
Here I’ve put together a little mood board to show who you could use grey flooring to create a calm haven. Fredericia’s Swoon Chair is a must for a cosy corner, while it’s mid-century style legs will help show off the smart flooring underneath. Highlight the soft hues and grain of the wood with textural rugs and natural Belgian linen cushions. Take inspiration from nature and finish the look with One Must Dash’s delicate floral prints.
I’m really impressed with the quality of Woodpecker Flooring’s range, each finish, lacquer and oil really brings out the best of the natural grain for a beautiful, natural look. The tones are calm and elegant, unlike some of the unnatural, showy hues you often get with laminate. Being conscious of where the material has come from and how it’s treated, brings that sense of being close to nature into the home. I think texture, touch and feel is so important for creating a calm haven that appeals to the senses.
I never really considered oak flooring because I was set on that bright, minimal Scandinavian look, but grey flooring could be the perfect, hardwearing alternative to white painted floors – it bounces light around the space but still has that timeless appeal. And with a 25 year warranty, I wouldn’t be topping it up with a new coat every year! Next time I’ll know where to look and Woodpecker will be my first port of call.
Let me know, would you choose grey wood flooring? What do you think of the look?
This post was written in collaboration with Woodpecker Flooring
