Maraetai Project – Celebrating Natural Beauty with Quality Wood Flooring

Located on Auckland’s east coast, the Maraetai Project harmonises coastal inspiration with the timeless elegance of wood flooring.

Design Brief & Concept

Interior designer Melanie Sa’u was entrusted with crafting a seamless, inviting interior that reflects the natural beauty outside. The choice of Vienna Woods’ Empire Oak from the Foundation Collection set the tone, bringing a blend of durability and timeless charm that complements the coastal backdrop.

 

Material Selection – Empire Oak Flooring

Empire Oak from Vienna Woods’ Foundation Collection was chosen for its quality, resilience, and subtle tones. This wood flooring creates a continuous flow throughout the home, enhancing the coastal feel. Selected benefits of Empire Oak include:

 

  • European Quality: Carefully sourced, ensuring each plank meets high durability standards
  • Natural Warmth: Soft, neutral tones that highlight the home’s open layout
  • Sustainable & Durable: Suitable for both high-traffic areas and everyday living

 

Wood Flooring Process & Installation

The installation focused on maintaining the flooring’s natural grain and refined texture. Vienna Woods’ team worked closely with builders to ensure a precise fit, resulting in timber floors that complements both the architectural design and the landscape. The outcome is a cohesive space that effortlessly balances modern interior style with the raw beauty of natural wood.

 

Outcome & Lasting Impressions

The result is a thoughtfully curated home that feels intrinsically connected to its surroundings. Empire Oak’s tone and texture bring out the best in each room, creating spaces that are both refined and practical. Its natural resilience ensures the flooring will endure daily life while retaining its sophisticated finish.

 

The Maraetai Project exemplifies how quality wood flooring enhances both the aesthetic and functionality of a home. For more on the Foundation Collection and sustainable wood flooring options, visit our wood flooring collection page.

Product: The Foundation Collection // Empire Oak

Interior Designer: Melanie Sa’u

Vienna Woods Project Consultant: Miguel Uribe

Herringbone Flooring Inspiration

Vienna Woods’ herringbone flooring offers a unique way to bring character and craftsmanship into your space. This classic pattern suits any style, blending effortlessly with both traditional and contemporary interiors.

 

Our gallery showcases how herringbone flooring brings depth and texture to spaces around New Zealand. Each project tells its own story, capturing the warmth and durability of premium timber. With sustainable European sources, our herringbone floors are made to last, giving you a design that’s as enduring as it is striking.

 

To learn more about why herringbone is a go-to for architects and designers, check out our article: Delving into the Intricate World of Parquet Timber Flooring.

Case Study: Light Hardwood Flooring in a St Heliers Home

How light hardwood floors made the difference; In the picturesque suburb of St Heliers, a recent renovation has transformed a 1970s bungalow into a modern family haven. The project, led by Box Design, showcases the seamless integration of light timber flooring from the Foundation Collection, enhancing the home’s natural light and coastal charm.

Project Overview

The homeowners, recent arrivals from California, were captivated by the property’s sweeping views across the harbour to Rangitoto, framed by magnificent pōhutukawa trees. While the location was idyllic, the existing home required updates to better suit their family’s needs. They envisioned a space that embraced natural materials and light, providing a canvas for their personal style.

Design and Construction

Collaborating with Box Design, the renovation focused on creating a light-filled, open-plan living area that maximised the stunning views. A key element in achieving this was the selection of light hardwood flooring from the Foundation Collection. This choice not only brightened the interiors but also complemented the home’s natural surroundings.

Key Features of the Foundation Collection:

  • Sustainability: Crafted from responsibly sourced timber with low-VOC finishes.
  • Durability: Engineered to withstand daily wear while maintaining its beauty.
  • European Craftsmanship: Precision-made for stability and longevity.
  • Versatility: Neutral tones that harmonize with various interior styles.

The Result

The renovated home now features a vast open-plan living space where the dining room is backed by a wall of built-in display shelving and overlooks a sunken lounge with a bank of floor-to-ceiling sliders that access the sea view. Pale timber floors team with light-wood cabinetry in the kitchen and hand-blown European glass pendants hanging over the large bench keep the mood relaxed and casual. The light timber flooring enhances the natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflects the family’s coastal lifestyle.

Acknowledgments

This project was expertly designed and constructed by Box Design, with photography by Sophie Heyworth capturing the home’s transformation.

For more details on this project, visit Box Design’s portfolio:  Beneath the Branches

If you’re considering a renovation or new build, explore the Foundation Collection to discover how light timber flooring can enhance your home’s aesthetic and functionality.

 

Vienna Woods Project Consultant: Razvan

European Oak Floors // Wings House // Borrmeister Architects

The Wings House project, completed in 2017 by Borrmeister Architects.  A project thatshowcases European oak floors that add warmth and character to a stunning modernist design. Located in NZ, this home combines sleek architecture with natural materials.  It achieves a unique balance between sophistication and comfort.

Crafted from high-quality European oak, the flooring complements the clean lines and open spaces of the house, grounding the modernist aesthetic in warmth and timeless appeal.

Why European Oak Floors Were Chosen

European oak floors were an ideal choice for Wings House, offering durability and a rich, smoky warmth that perfectly complements modernist style. Unlike other hardwoods, European oak brings a subtle texture and color variation that enhances any space, while its natural grains create an inviting atmosphere throughout the home. This oak’s timeless look aligns with the architects’ vision of a home that feels relevant today and in the future.

Key features of European oak floors for Wings House:

  • Warm, smoky tones that blend seamlessly with modern architecture
  • Durability to withstand everyday life while maintaining a high-end look
  • Subtle natural grains that enhance the minimalist aesthetic

Timber Flooring and Modernist Style: A Lasting Combination

Timber floors have an enduring place in modernist design, and Wings House exemplifies this perfectly. The European oak floors add a layer of richness to the clean, geometric forms of the home. With open spaces and expansive windows, the oak flooring draws in natural light, creating an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and comfortable.

European oak floors offer a timeless look that ages gracefully, complementing both contemporary and classic elements in any home. For Wings House, the flooring choice was more than just aesthetics – it’s an investment in longevity, style, and value.

Architect and Photographer Collaboration

This home, designed by Borrmeister Architects, came to life with the keen eye of photographer Sarah Rowlands. The natural tones of the European oak floors were beautifully captured, showing how the material and design work harmoniously to create a lasting impression.

Through the thoughtful selection of European oak, Wings House stands as an example of how natural timber flooring can enhance and even define a space. The timeless quality of oak flooring not only anchors the design but adds value, ensuring that this home remains a modernist icon for years to come.

European oak floors elevate the look and feel of Wings House, proving that quality timber is always in style. Whether you’re drawn to modernist design or simply love natural materials, oak flooring brings warmth, texture, and beauty that lasts.

Photos: Sarah Rowlands Photography

Design: Borrmeister Architects

Natural Oak Floors in Mt Eden

Natural oak floors anchor the design of this beautiful Mt Eden villa renovation, giving it a fresh, modern feel. Step inside to admire the elegance of these wooden floors in the kitchen, dining area, hallway, and entrance. The Supernatural timber used in longer lengths elongates the hallway, adding depth and sophistication.

Key Design Highlights with Natural Oak Floors

  • Seamless Flow: Brass detailing elegantly transitions between the carpeted bedrooms and tiled bathroom.
  • Light Tone: The soft, light oak floors enhance the brightness, complementing a range of wooden furniture.
  • Modern Touch: A modern aesthetic brings character to the kitchen and dining spaces.

Working with the homeowners on this project was a pleasure. Their vision and our natural oak floors created a timeless, beautifully transformed villa. The owners couldn’t be happier with the stunning result.

Product: Vienna Woods // Oak Supernatural

Builder: Team Salamander

Images: @markscowen_photography

Vienna Woods Project Consultant: damon@viennawoods.co.nz