Spotlight

HAVWOODS

30th September 2016

Every so often an email lands in my inbox and I realise its contents have to be featured – indeed, this has happened three times in the last few days (so many great properties around right now…) so watch this space! The arrival of these photos from Havwoods was one of those moments. I can’t resist chevron or herringbone flooring, and when you combine a chevron floor in oak, as here, with a beautifully sleek kitchen complete with marble splashback, full-height windows paired with working shutters, and lovely contemporary styling touches, well, I’m pretty much sold.

Gold Leaf Buckden Hall European Oak flooring by Havwoods.

This London apartment was designed by Frank Gilks and showcases Gold Leaf Bucken Hall European Oak – a finish that’s no longer available from Havwoods but is closely matched by the Pallido 45 Degree Chevron flooring from The Italian Collection in engineered brushed oak. Havwoods has been in business since 1975 and focuses almost exclusively on wood flooring. With a wide collection of engineered and solid wood options and an extensive selection of types of wood along with finishes and plank dimensions, there are over a thousand different flooring options to choose from.

Engineered Oak Brushed Palladio Chevron flooring by Havwoods.

With so many choices, if I was shopping for flooring I’d narrow it right down to a tight edit. I love slightly grey tones on a floor, so top of my list from Havwoods would be the Oak Fendi 45 degree Chevron Prime Grade engineered wood flooring, which has gorgeous subtle tones – and it would look great against chalky grey walls.

I also love the patina of reclaimed timbers, so I’d be intrigued to see the Reclaimed Organic Painted Pine 45 degree Chevron Rustic Grade engineered wood flooring used in a space. Okay, I realise that this may be a love it or hate it moment for some as it is different, and you don’t want to install a floor finish that you might get tired of, but… it’s interesting. Havwoods show this used on a wall, and it looks fantastic, so it depends on the space.

Meanwhile, if looking at herringbone finishes, I’d choose either the Oak Beck Herringbone Rustic Grade engineered wood flooring, or the Venture Plank Fresco Herringbone Prime Grade engineered wood flooring. Both are classic, but in tones that would also feel so very contemporary.

Gold Leaf Buckden Hall European Oak flooring by Havwoods.

As noted above, the choice depends on the context, and the pale golden tones of this floor, photographed, are a perfect complement to the original timber astragal windows and shutters, and to the fresher aesthetic of this space. At a glance, this open plan room feels quite Scandi to me, and I particularly like how the cabinetry in the kitchen has been designed as a built-in wall of sleek and handle-less storage, minimising the visual impact when integrating a kitchen within an open plan space.

Gold Leaf Buckden Hall European Oak flooring by Havwoods.

I’m also craving these mirrors, which look like these designs from John Lewis, available in a choice of brass, nickel and copper finishes, although as I don’t use leather at home (and these have leather straps) I’d opt for this black metal Portbou Mirror by The Forest & Co, which features rope instead.

This space is intriguing. It leaves me wanting to know what the rest of this apartment looks like. You can change around the furnishings here but the space would still look fantastic because the canvas is right – simple, understated and elegant.

Gold Leaf Buckden Hall European Oak flooring by Havwoods.

See the full collection of chevron and herringbone flooring from Havwoods.

Photography from Havwoods.