Our oak flooring proves it’s built to last
Renovating a property from the bones up when you have four small children results in a particular kind of brief. While beauty and functionality may at first appear to be at opposite ends of the design spectrum, what architectural practice Somner-Macdonald have achieved at Barnton Avenue is enough to convince anyone otherwise. The unique family home that has emerged from their vision is minimalist and practical while respecting the building’s traditional origins. Above all, it is stunningly beautiful.
Letting natural finishes shine
Barnton Avenue’s latest inhabitants approached Somner-Macdonald for a complete remodel of their Grade-C listed property. The design had to reflect its historic importance and enhance its beauty, while incorporating modern insulation and robust, hard-wearing finishes. The use of our European Oak Flooring across the entire ground floor is just one element of a design that excels at every turn.
As longtime champions of Russwood products, Somner-Macdonald specified our oak flooring due to its ability to meet all aspects of the brief and their experience with it on previous projects. This flooring is a firm favourite among architects, interior designers and homeowners, due to its natural character, range of finishes and exceptional durability.
As a practice, Somner-Macdonald prioritises natural finishes whenever appropriate, believing that their tone, warmth and general character cannot be replicated. When it comes to renovations, the practice also celebrates existing materials that share these characteristics. For example, the brickwork of the original house is reused as an internal finish in the Barnton Avenue extension. For Tom Armistead, Director Architect at Somner-Macdonald, “materials like the brickwork and oak flooring shine brighter with minimal intervention.”
A pared-back interior
This minimalist ethos is evident throughout the home, the finish of which is centred around a carefully balanced set of details, tones and textures. The uniformity of the oak flooring across the ground floor brings a sense of harmony to the interconnected spaces, creating a refined and elegant look. The Linen shade, laid in 225 x 14 mm planks, has delicate pink undertones and a semi-smooth finish. It pairs perfectly with the white plastered walls and sculptural black furniture.
Tom explains that this refined palette was no accident. “This allowed areas where tone and texture have been introduced, such as in the flooring and furniture, to stand out in their own right and to be appreciated for those qualities. The richness and warmth these elements bring cannot be understated,” he says.
The brief had robustness and a longevity of products built into the core. However, a drive for natural materials that patinated over time was also a key aspiration. The marrying of both of these ambitions is what led to the use of Russwood’s European Oak Flooring.
Tom Armistead, Director Architect, Somner-Macdonald
It’s all in the details
One particularly striking feature of Barnton Avenue’s interior is the arched thresholds, which echo the shape of the property’s external doors and windows. To further enhance these archways, Somner-Macdonald chose to run threshold boards the full depth of each one, often perpendicular to the direction of the main flooring planks. Brass trims highlight the junction between the threshold and the room flooring.
Specifier tip: Our European Oak Flooring in Linen is available with a short lead time in planks measuring 190mm in width or 120 x 600mm herringbone boards.
Looking like new, 18 months on
Making a project look flawless is easy when photos are taken immediately upon finishing. The images used here were taken 18 months after the completion of Barnton Avenue’s renovations and the subsequent daily use by a family of six and their pets. They prove beyond doubt how well the flooring has fared.
As Tom says, “The oak floor looks as good as the day it was installed. In terms of the longevity of natural timber flooring, oak flooring really is unrivalled. As it ages and picks up patina it begins to capture a different character, which is equally attractive.”
The careful restructuring of Barnton Avenue shows how character can live alongside the needs of a busy family home – and how modern design can beautifully complement a period property.
Learn more
Our Core Collection features premium European Oak and Larch floors that are durable, versatile, and beautifully pre-finished. A selection of our most popular floors are held in stock, including Linen, and available with short lead times – ideal for time sensitive projects.
