Westwood Engineered Oak at a Westmere Harbour Home — MacFie Architecture + Spatial Studios

A Wide-Plank Floor That Lets the View Do the Talking — Westwood Oak at 221 Garnett Rd, Westmere

Quick answer: A new-build Westmere home by MacFie Architecture, with interiors by Spatial Studios, specified Westwood wide-plank engineered European oak from our Icons Collection across three levels — open-plan kitchen and living, master suite, lower-level lounge, and the floating-stair landings. The brief was a calm, light-natural floor that wouldn’t compete with a marble kitchen, an infinity pool and a panoramic Waitemata Harbour view. Westwood delivered: long, wide boards in a quiet grain, finished to read as one continuous surface from the entry through to the deck.

Westwood engineered oak flooring through open-plan living with floating timber stairs, Westmere Auckland.

The brief — a quiet wide-plank for a layered modern home

This is a multi-level home on the harbour side of Garnett Road, Westmere. The architectural intent (MacFie) is restrained: a dark cantilevered upper volume floating over a lighter base, big sliders to the deck and pool, a floating timber stair carving through the volumes. Interiors (Spatial Studios) lean on tonal calm — marble splashback, dark cabinetry, leather, plaster — and the floor had to sit underneath all of it without arguing.

Three things the design team locked in early:

  • Wide planks, long boards. In an open-plan home this size, narrow boards visually break the floor into stripes and fight the layout. Wide-plank reads as a single surface.
  • Light-to-mid natural tone. Dark floors close down space and compete with the marble and the harbour view. A bleached or grey-washed look would have felt cold.
  • A finish that handles real life. Family home, indoor-outdoor flow to a pool deck, a kitchen that gets used. The finish had to take it without going precious.

That brief narrows the field fast — and it pointed at Westwood from our Icons Collection.

Westwood engineered European oak flooring in an open-plan kitchen and dining area, Westmere Auckland.

Why Westwood from the Icons Collection delivered

Westwood is a wide-plank engineered European oak in our Icons range. A few specific reasons it was the right call here:

Plank format that holds an open plan together. The boards are long and wide enough that a 100 m²+ open living/dining/kitchen run reads as one floor, not a panel layout. From the kitchen island you can look across to the harbour through the sliders and the floor doesn’t break up the sightline.

A grain that reads natural, not styled. Westwood sits in the light-natural tone family — pale enough to keep the room bright, with enough warmth and grain character that it doesn’t feel clinical. Against the marble splashback and the dark cabinetry, the floor recedes; the materials do the talking.

Engineered construction suited to NZ conditions. Engineered oak is a multi-ply construction with a real European oak wear layer. It moves about a third as much as solid timber as humidity swings — and Auckland’s humidity does swing, especially in a home with big sliders open to the sea air half the year. Engineered also tolerates underfloor heating cleanly; solid oak typically doesn’t.

Finish that’s commercial-spec hardwearing. The Icons range is finished to handle high-traffic family use. Spills wipe, scratches stay shallow, and the lacquered surface doesn’t need the routine re-oiling that an oiled floor wants.

Pricing context for anyone shortlisting: wide-plank engineered European oak in our Icons tier sits in the upper mid-range — typically $220–$320/m² supplied. For a home of this calibre, the cost-to-impact ratio is hard to beat — the floor runs through every room and gets seen every day.

Westwood engineered oak flooring beneath a marble kitchen island, Westmere Auckland home.

The install — continuity across levels, and the floating-stair detail

Two install decisions defined how this floor reads.

Glue-down across the whole footprint. Glue-down is our default for wide-plank installs over a screed substrate. It eliminates any hollow underfoot, keeps acoustic transmission down, and gives the floor a solid, anchored feel that matches the architectural weight of the build. Floating systems can save a bit on labour but they don’t feel right under a wide board.

Stair treads and risers in matching Westwood. The floating stair is a major architectural feature — exposed treads, no risers in places, suspended off the wall. The treads were specified in matching Westwood so the stair reads as a continuation of the floor, not a separate element. From the upstairs landing you look down and the timber runs uninterrupted from your feet to the kitchen floor below.

A note on wastage: wide-plank straight-lay needs about 10% wastage allowance. We always recommend ordering a small surplus on top of that for future repairs — boards from the same batch will always match the finished floor better than a later top-up order.

The result — a floor that disappears in the best way

The mark of a successful floor on a project like this is that it doesn’t draw attention to itself. Westwood does what it’s meant to do here: it sets the temperature of every room (warm, calm, grounded), runs continuously across kitchen, dining, living, hallway, bedrooms, and the lower lounge, and lets the marble, the harbour view, the floating stair and the pool be the things you remember.

If you came in not knowing it was a wide-plank European oak, you’d just register “this house feels right.” That’s what we’re aiming for.

Project credits

  • Architecture: MacFie Architecture
  • Interior / spatial design: Spatial Studios (Kristen Basra)
  • Flooring product: Westwood, Icons Collection — wide-plank engineered European oak
  • Supply & install: Vienna Woods
  • Location: Westmere, Auckland

Project gallery — Westwood at 221 Garnett Rd, Westmere

All images shot at the completed install. Architecture: MacFie Architecture. Interior design: Spatial Studios.

Open-plan kitchen and dining over Westwood from the Icons Collection.

Westwood engineered European oak flooring in an open-plan kitchen and dining area, Westmere Auckland.

Marble-clad island over Westwood engineered oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring beneath a marble kitchen island, Westmere Auckland home.

Kitchen banquette over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring with built-in dining bench and kitchen island, Westmere Auckland.

Kitchen and dining wide view over Westwood oak.

Wide view of Westwood engineered European oak flooring through kitchen and dining, Westmere Auckland.

Pendant-lit dining over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring beneath a pendant-lit dining table, Westmere Auckland.

Dining with harbour view over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in a dining room with Auckland harbour view, Westmere.

Dining area framing the harbour, over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered European oak in a dining area opening to the Westmere harbour view.

Open plan with floating stairs over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring through open-plan living with floating timber stairs, Westmere Auckland.

Floating stair over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring continuing under a floating staircase, Westmere Auckland home.

Living, stairs and harbour view over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in living room with floating stairs and harbour view, Westmere.

Lounge framed by floating stairs over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered European oak flooring in lounge framed by floating timber stairs, Westmere Auckland.

Curtained living over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in a living room with full-height curtains, Westmere Auckland.

Living and hallway over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring through living room and hallway, Westmere Auckland.

Sofa lounge over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered European oak flooring beneath a sofa lounge setting, Westmere Auckland.

Living opens to harbour over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in living room opening to Auckland harbour view, Westmere.

Sliders open to harbour deck over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring with sliding doors opened to harbour deck, Westmere Auckland.

Media room with feature wall over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in a media room with feature wall, Westmere Auckland.

Master bedroom with harbour view over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in master bedroom with harbour view, Westmere Auckland.

Master bedroom suite over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered European oak flooring in master bedroom suite, Westmere Auckland.

Master bathroom with freestanding tub over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring beside freestanding bathtub in master bathroom, Westmere Auckland.

Bathroom vanity over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in bathroom with twin vanity, Westmere Auckland.

Scullery / butler’s pantry over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring through scullery / butler's pantry, Westmere Auckland.

Lower-level media lounge over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in lower-level media lounge, Westmere Auckland.

Lower lounge with kitchenette over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring in lower lounge with kitchenette, Westmere Auckland.

Entry hallway flowing to view over Westwood oak.

Westwood engineered oak flooring leading from entry hallway through to view, Westmere Auckland.

Outdoor terrace with harbour view; Westwood oak extends inside.

Outdoor terrace at a Westmere Auckland home with Westwood engineered oak floor extending inside.

Deck terrace beside Westwood oak interior.

Outdoor deck terrace adjoining Westwood engineered oak interior, Westmere Auckland.

Infinity pool overlooking the Waitemata.

Infinity pool with Auckland harbour view at Westmere residence by MacFie Architecture.

Pool deck with Auckland skyline.

Infinity pool and deck with Auckland skyline view, Westmere residence.

Infinity-edge pool to harbour.

Infinity-edge pool spilling toward harbour view, Westmere Auckland.

Front exterior — MacFie Architecture.

Front exterior of modern Westmere Auckland home by MacFie Architecture.

Exterior at dusk.

Dusk exterior of modern Westmere Auckland home by MacFie Architecture.

Aerial — Westmere out to harbour and city.

Aerial view of Westmere Auckland showing harbour and city skyline.

Aerial of the property — pool and roofline.

Aerial view of Westmere Auckland property showing pool and roofline.

Aerial of property in neighbourhood context.

Aerial view of Westmere Auckland property within neighbourhood context.

FAQ — wide-plank engineered oak for premium NZ homes

What is Westwood from the Icons Collection?
Westwood is a wide-plank engineered European oak floor in our Icons Collection. It’s a light-natural tone with a quiet grain pattern, designed for use as a continuous surface across large open-plan spaces. The construction is engineered (multi-ply core with a real European oak wear layer), and the finish is lacquered for high-traffic family and commercial use.
Why wide-plank for an open-plan home?
Wide planks read as a single continuous surface across large floor areas. Narrower boards visually divide a room into stripes, which works against open-plan architecture. In a home like this Westmere project — with sightlines from the kitchen across to the deck and harbour — a wide-plank floor lets the eye travel without interruption.
Is engineered oak suitable for Auckland coastal homes?
Yes — engineered oak is generally a better fit for Auckland coastal conditions than solid timber. Auckland humidity swings substantially between winter heating and summer open-windows, and a multi-ply engineered construction moves about a third as much as solid timber. That matters in homes with big sliding doors that stay open to sea air for months at a time.
How do you match stair treads to a wide-plank floor?
For projects where the stair is meant to read as a continuation of the floor — like the floating stair in this Westmere home — we supply matching Westwood for treads and risers (or risers omitted, depending on the design). The treads come from the same batch as the floor boards so the grain, colour and finish all match.
What’s the difference between lacquered and oiled wide-plank floors?
Lacquered is a UV-cured surface finish — harder against scratches, easier to clean, no routine maintenance beyond regular cleaning. Oiled is a penetrating finish — more spot-repairable, slightly warmer underfoot, but wants periodic re-oiling. For a high-traffic family home with kids and pool access, lacquered is the safer call — which is what was specified here.
What’s the typical cost per m² for Icons Collection wide-plank in NZ?
Wide-plank engineered European oak in our Icons tier sits in the upper mid-range — typically $220–$320/m² supplied, depending on board format and finish. Installed cost (with glue-down installation and acoustic underlay where required) typically lands between $355 and $480/m². Final pricing depends on project size, subfloor condition and any stair or transition detailing.
Can wide-plank engineered oak go over underfloor heating?
Yes — engineered oak is the right construction for underfloor heating, where most solid timber boards are not recommended. The build-up (engineered board, suitable underlay or glue, and a UFH-compatible substrate) and the surface temperature limits (usually 27°C maximum) need to be specified upfront with us so we can confirm board suitability and install method.
How long will an engineered oak floor like this last?
The wear layer on a quality engineered oak board (3mm+ on Icons-tier product) can be sanded and refinished at least once, sometimes twice, over the life of the floor. With normal residential use, that puts realistic floor life well over 30 years — comparable to solid timber, with better stability in NZ conditions along the way.

Related Vienna Woods guides

Considering Westwood — or wide-plank Icons oak — for your project?

If you’re an architect or designer specifying for a similar build (large open plan, indoor-outdoor flow, multi-level, premium spec), we keep large-format samples in the Newmarket showroom and can produce FSC documentation and a MasterSpec-compatible spec sheet for tender. CPD presentations are available for studios.

If you’re a homeowner, the fastest way to commit is to see Westwood at scale rather than as a small swatch — book a showroom visit or request larger boards.

Order samples  Book consultation

Petit Chateau Bordeaux Herringbone: A Prime Grade Floor for a Timber Industry Client

A Bordeaux Herringbone Floor for a Client Who Knows Timber

When the homeowner first got in touch about a herringbone floor for his Westmere project, he came to the conversation with something most clients don’t: a working knowledge of timber. He spends his days in the industry, which means he’s the kind of buyer who reads a board the way the rest of us read a room — knot by knot, grain run by grain run. He’d been hunting for prime grade herringbone for months. Most of what he saw in New Zealand fell short. He wanted clean timber herringbone flooring with no compromises, and he wasn’t willing to settle for a board that looked the part in the brochure but disappointed in the box.

Eventually his search led him to our Bordeaux Herringbone, part of the Petit Chateau Collection. The samples did what samples are meant to do — they made a promise. The install kept it.

The brief: prime grade, no surprises

The starting point was straightforward in theory and demanding in practice. He wanted a herringbone floor that read as quiet and continuous across a large open plan — minimal knots, no splits, no character flecks pulling the eye sideways every third board. A prime grade oak flooring in the truest sense: tight, calm, consistent. The pattern had to behave like a single surface rather than a procession of individual pieces, and the colour had to sit warm enough to feel domestic without tipping into anything orange or yellow.

He’d looked widely. Other suppliers either couldn’t deliver the grading he wanted, or they could on paper but not in the pack. That gap between specification and delivery is where most floors lose people who actually know timber.

Dining area with timber sideboard over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Why Bordeaux Herringbone delivered

There are a few reasons the Bordeaux Herringbone held up to that scrutiny. The boards are European oak, engineered at 15mm with a 4mm wear layer — substantial enough to sand and refinish later, and stable enough to behave well across the temperature swings a New Zealand home throws at a floor. The surface is finished with a seven-layer German UV lacquer, which is part of why the boards arrive on site looking the way they look in the showroom.

Grading-wise, this is where the Petit Chateau collection earns its keep. It sits in the value-conscious end of the range on price, but the prime selection is genuinely prime — boards are chosen for cleanliness, not just labelled that way. For a client looking for knot-free herringbone (or as close to it as a natural product honestly gets), that mattered. The rhythm of the chevrons does the talking and the timber doesn’t keep interrupting.

The Bordeaux tone itself is the other quiet hero. A mid-warm European oak — neither bleached nor heavily smoked — it reads beautifully under both natural light and warm interior lighting. For a home built around a vaulted, light-filled living space, that neutrality was exactly what the room needed.

Close-up detail of prime grade Bordeaux engineered European oak herringbone flooring

The install: a floor that reads as one surface

Laid through the entry, kitchen, dining and main living areas, the herringbone flows uninterrupted across the ground floor. Because the grading is so consistent, the eye doesn’t get caught on individual boards — it follows the pattern instead, the long diagonal pull of the chevrons across the open plan, the rhythm tightening into the kitchen and softening again as it meets the joinery.

The floor sits well against the home’s other materials: the pale stone of the kitchen island, the dark steel of the fireplace surround, the leather of the living room sofa. A clean prime grade lets the timber become a backdrop with depth rather than a feature wall on the floor — exactly what a home built on a few well-judged architectural moves needs underfoot.

Wide view of kitchen and dining area with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

A note on standards and supply

There’s a particular pressure that comes with selling timber to someone who works in timber. They know the difference between a hand-picked sample and a board pulled at random out of a pack on install day. They notice when a “prime” floor still has knot clusters tucked into shadow lines. That scrutiny is welcome — it’s the same standard the Petit Chateau range was built around, offering European oak herringbone that delivers the cleanliness most specifiers expect from products costing considerably more.

Bordeaux oak herringbone flooring running through hallway in Westmere home

Looking at herringbone for your own project?

If you’ve been searching for prime grade herringbone flooring in Auckland or further afield and finding the same gap this client did, the Bordeaux is worth a look in person. We’re happy to send samples so you can put a board on the floor of the room it’s destined for and see how it sits with your light, your joinery and your existing materials.

If you’d prefer the same European oak in a plank format rather than herringbone, the Oak Bordeaux planks share the colour and grading approach in a long-board layout. And for readers comparing herringbone options across our range, it’s worth also considering the Westwood Herringbone and the Coco Herringbone from our Icons Collection — each with its own tonal character.

When you’re ready to see the boards in person or talk through specification, get in touch with the Vienna Woods team. The right herringbone is one you can stop second-guessing the moment it goes down.

Close-up of Bordeaux engineered oak herringbone flooring in a Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Engineered Oak Flooring Close-Up – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak in a classic herringbone lay, photographed up close in our Westmere case study home.

Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring meeting stair nosing detail in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Stair Nosing Detail – Westmere Project

Seamless transition between Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring and matching stair nosing at our Westmere project.

Bordeaux engineered oak herringbone flooring grain detail in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Engineered Oak Flooring Grain Detail – Westmere Project

Close-up detail of Bordeaux Oak herringbone showing natural grain and tone in our Westmere case study.

Bordeaux oak herringbone flooring meeting timber stair step detail in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Stair Step Detail – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring transitioning into a solid timber stair step at our Westmere project.

Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in a living room with fireplace, Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Living Room with Fireplace – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring grounds a calm living room with fireplace in our Westmere case study.

Open plan living and dining area with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Open Plan Living and Dining – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring flowing through open plan living and dining at our Westmere project.

Living room with leather sofa over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Living Room with Leather Sofa – Westmere Project

Leather sofa and natural textures paired with Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Dining area with timber sideboard over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Dining Area with Sideboard – Westmere Project

Timber sideboard and styled dining setting on Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Kitchen island with sink over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen Island and Sink – Westmere Project

Minimalist kitchen island and sink above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Kitchen island with pendant lights over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen Island with Pendant Lights – Westmere Project

Pendant lights illuminate the kitchen island above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Kitchen island and dining zone with pendant lighting over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen Island and Dining Pendants – Westmere Project

Dining and kitchen pendants above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Wide view of kitchen and dining area with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen and Dining Wide View – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring spans a wide kitchen and dining view at our Westmere case study.

Edge of a rug over Bordeaux engineered oak herringbone flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Engineered Oak Flooring Rug Edge Detail – Westmere Project

Soft rug edge meeting Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Hallway leading to dining area over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Hallway to Dining – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring guides the eye from hallway to dining at our Westmere project.

Hallway view with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring flowing into dining area, Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Hallway to Dining View – Westmere Project

Continuous Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring between hallway and dining in our Westmere case study.

Entry hallway with front door and Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Entry Hallway and Front Door – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring welcomes you into the entry at our Westmere project.

Dining and living area with fireplace over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Dining and Living with Fireplace – Westmere Project

Fireplace, dining and living zones connected by Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Open plan living with vaulted ceiling over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Open Plan Living with Vaulted Ceiling – Westmere Project

Vaulted ceilings above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Wide view of dining and living spaces with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Dining and Living Wide View – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring flowing through dining and living in our Westmere case study.

Dining room with fireplace over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Dining Room with Fireplace – Westmere Project

Relaxed dining room with fireplace and Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Kitchen island with bar stools over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen Island with Bar Stools – Westmere Project

Kitchen island and bar stools above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Kitchen cooktop and cabinetry above Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen Cooktop and Cabinetry – Westmere Project

Minimal cabinetry and cooktop above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Kitchen sink and island over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen Sink and Island – Westmere Project

Kitchen island and sink above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Wide view of kitchen and dining area with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen and Dining Wide View – Westmere Project

Open kitchen and dining connected by Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Kitchen and dining area with sliding door to outdoors over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring, Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen and Dining with Sliding Door – Westmere Project

Indoor–outdoor flow with Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Close view of kitchen island and dining table over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring, Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen Island and Dining Close-Up – Westmere Project

Kitchen island meets dining setting on Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

View from dining area into kitchen over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Dining to Kitchen View – Westmere Project

Sight line from dining to kitchen across Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Kitchen and dining table with bar stools over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen and Dining Table – Westmere Project

Kitchen island, bar stools and dining table above Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in our Westmere case study.

Open plan kitchen and living area with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Open Plan Kitchen and Living – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring links kitchen and living in our Westmere case study.

View from dining looking back to kitchen over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Kitchen from Dining View – Westmere Project

Looking back to the kitchen across Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring at our Westmere project.

Lifestyle view of a person walking through hallway over Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring, Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Hallway Entry Lifestyle – Westmere Project

A lived-in moment on Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in the Westmere entry.

Lifestyle view of hallway and entry with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Hallway Entry Lifestyle Two – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring through the Westmere entry in a relaxed lifestyle shot.

Lifestyle view of entry hallway with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Hallway Entry Lifestyle Three – Westmere Project

Another lifestyle view of Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring in the Westmere entry.

Wide view of dining and living spaces with Bordeaux herringbone oak flooring in Westmere home

Bordeaux Herringbone Flooring Dining and Living Wide – Westmere Project

Bordeaux Oak herringbone flooring flowing through dining and living at our Westmere project.

Bandsawn Oak Flooring at Pohutukawa House

A Coastal Home Shaped by the Coromandel

Perched on the rugged coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula, Pohutukawa House is a modern coastal retreat designed to sit in quiet dialogue with its weather-worn surroundings. The brief called for something that could hold its own against salt-laden winds and the shifting moods of sea and sky — yet still feel warm, tactile, and unmistakably refined inside. Every material choice, from the cedar cladding to the oak underfoot, had to carry both presence and patina.

Coastal architectural home exterior in Coromandel with timber cladding and ocean view setting

Custom Distilled Bandsawn Oak Underfoot

At the heart of the interior is Vienna Woods’ Custom Distilled Bandsawn Oak — a bespoke finish developed specifically for this home. Each board carries a visible bandsawn texture and a deep, distilled tone that echoes pohutukawa-stained rock and wind-tempered timber. Underfoot, it reads as solid and grounded; up close, the grain tells you how every plank has been hand-worked. It’s part of our Distilled Collection, built for homes where the floor is expected to do more than simply sit quietly in the background.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring in architectural hallway with timber ceiling lining and vertical wall battens

Where Luxury Meets Ruggedness

The Coromandel is never polite about weather, and the floor needed to reflect that. The bandsawn texture means the surface doesn’t reveal every scuff from sandy feet or wet boots, while the distilled finish lets the oak age gracefully rather than fight its environment. What results is flooring that feels luxurious without asking to be treated preciously — a material equally at home during a bare-footed morning and a boots-off-after-the-beach evening. For a house built to weather decades of salt and sun, that easy duality was the whole point.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring in modern bedroom with indoor outdoor connection and sliding glass door

A Collaboration with Sumich Chaplin

Pohutukawa House was brought to life by Sumich Chaplin, a New Zealand architecture studio known for rigorous, site-specific work. Their detailing pushed our team to develop a floor finish that could hold its own alongside concrete, stone and vertical cedar. Small touches — stair treads that flow seamlessly from the main floor, thresholds that disappear at indoor-outdoor transitions — are the result of close collaboration between architect, builder and flooring consultant. It’s the kind of project that reminds us why custom work matters: the best floors are shaped as much by their context as by their craft.

Featured Flooring: Custom Distilled Bandsawn Oak

Architect: Sumich Chaplin

Flooring Consultant: Miguel Uribe

Images: Thomas Cannings

Interiors: Peta Davy (Yellow Fox)

Flooring Installation: Finesse Floors

Location: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Modern coastal architectural home exterior with timber cladding and gable roof design in Coromandel

Modern Coastal Architectural Home Exterior Timber Cladding Coromandel

A refined gabled form finished in timber, balancing modern architecture with a natural coastal setting.

Coastal architectural home exterior in Coromandel with timber cladding and ocean view setting

Coastal Architectural Home Exterior Coromandel Timber Design

A refined coastal home in the Coromandel, where timber materials and clean architectural lines sit lightly within the landscape.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring in modern kitchen with timber ceiling lining and minimalist cabinetry

Engineered Oak Timber Flooring Kitchen Interior Coromandel Architectural Home

Engineered oak flooring adds warmth beneath minimalist cabinetry, balanced by timber ceiling detailing above.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring in bedroom with floor to ceiling glass doors and coastal sea view

Engineered Oak Timber Flooring Bedroom Sea View Coromandel Coastal Home

Dark European oak flooring frames this bedroom, opening directly to coastal views through full-height glazing.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring transitioning from interior bedroom to outdoor deck with sliding doors and coastal setting

Engineered Oak Timber Flooring Indoor Outdoor Transition Coromandel Coastal Home

Engineered oak flooring extends to the threshold, creating a seamless transition between interior living and the outdoor deck.

Engineered oak timber flooring in modern corridor with timber ceiling lining and natural light from window

Engineered Oak Timber Flooring Corridor Design Coromandel Architectural Home

Engineered oak flooring runs the length of this corridor, guiding movement through the space while reflecting soft natural light.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring with vertical black wall battens and timber ceiling detail in modern interior

Engineered Oak Timber Flooring Interior Detail Vertical Battens Coromandel

Engineered oak flooring grounds this interior composition, set against vertical black battens and a finely detailed timber ceiling.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring in architectural hallway with timber ceiling lining and vertical wall battens

Engineered Oak Timber Flooring Hallway Architectural Detail Coromandel

Dark-toned European oak flooring draws the eye through this architectural hallway, framed by vertical battens and a matching timber ceiling.

Dark engineered oak timber flooring in modern bedroom with indoor outdoor connection and sliding glass door

Engineered Oak Timber Flooring Bedroom Indoor Outdoor Flow Coromandel

Dark European oak flooring anchors this bedroom while extending visually toward the outdoor landscape through full-height glazing.

Engineered oak timber staircase transitioning from upper level with vertical timber wall detail

Engineered Oak Staircase Transition Detail Coromandel Interior Design

Timber flooring transitions seamlessly into stair construction, reinforcing continuity between levels.

Close up of engineered oak timber stair treads showing grain detail and dark finish

Engineered Oak Stair Tread Detail Dark Finish Coromandel Project

Close-up of engineered oak stair treads highlighting natural grain and depth of tone.

Dark engineered oak timber staircase with vertical timber wall lining and detailed stair treads

Engineered Oak Timber Staircase Detail Coromandel Architectural Home

Engineered oak stair treads pair with vertical timber lining to create a cohesive architectural detail.

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Sojo Design × Vienna Woods — Coastal Residential Interior Case Study

Project overview

This coastal residential project by Sojo Design demonstrates how carefully specified timber flooring can become the foundation for an entire interior concept.

Designed as a refined coastal residence, the home balances warmth, natural texture and timeless design. From the earliest stages of the project, the design team selected Vienna Woods European oak flooring to anchor the palette and guide the material language used throughout the space.

The result is an interior that feels layered, relaxed and quietly luxurious — a home designed to feel welcoming, enduring and deeply connected to its beachfront surroundings.

Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen and dining area
Vienna Woods European oak flooring anchors the interior palette of this refined coastal residence designed by Sojo Design — bringing warmth, texture and natural material continuity throughout the home.

The brief

The client’s vision was to create a true “home away from home.” The space needed to feel elevated and beautiful, while still remaining relaxed and comfortable for everyday living.

Key design objectives included:

  • A warm and welcoming atmosphere
  • Timeless design that would age gracefully
  • Comfort and practicality for guests of all ages
  • A refined coastal aesthetic without feeling over-designed

Achieving this balance required careful material selection, beginning with the floor that would run consistently throughout the home.

engineered timber flooring in bedroom

Why Sojo Design chose Vienna Woods

For the Sojo Design team, flooring is never an afterthought. Their process begins from the ground up — selecting materials that establish the tone for the entire interior.

Vienna Woods was chosen for several key reasons:

  • Extensive selection of refined European oak flooring
  • Generous plank dimensions that enhance spatial flow
  • Warm natural tones suited to coastal interiors
  • Authentic timber texture that adds depth to minimalist palettes

Once the flooring was selected, the rest of the interior palette evolved naturally around it.

“It all started with Vienna Woods.”

Design approach

The interior concept focused on creating a layered and sensory experience — a home that feels calm, welcoming and connected to its surroundings from the moment visitors arrive.

To achieve this, the design team introduced:

  • Contrasting fabrics and furniture against the warmth of the timber flooring
  • A mix of textures and natural materials for visual depth
  • A restrained palette that avoids visual clutter
  • Carefully balanced detailing that supports the relaxed coastal aesthetic

The flooring plays a central role in this composition, quietly anchoring the space while allowing the architecture and interior elements to remain the focus.

Standout moments

For the Sojo Design team, some of the most memorable moments occurred during the construction and completion phases of the project.

  • Visiting the site midway through the build
  • Returning for the final project photography
  • Experiencing the scent of timber combined with fresh ocean air
  • Seeing the full design vision realised in the finished space

Because interior designers are not always present at the final stages of a project, witnessing the completed home made this project particularly rewarding for the team.

Interior Designer Interview — Material Selection

In this short interview, the Sojo Design team discusses how material selection — particularly timber flooring — helped define the tone and atmosphere of the project.

Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen with warm timber joinery
engineered timber flooring in kitchen

“The flooring became the foundation for the entire interior palette. It introduced warmth and texture while still feeling calm and restrained.”

The outcome

The finished residence delivers exactly what the brief set out to achieve — a home that feels warm, welcoming and timeless.

Anchored by Vienna Woods flooring, the interior achieves a refined coastal aesthetic that feels both luxurious and deeply liveable.

The project demonstrates how carefully specified timber flooring can shape the entire character of an interior — supporting architecture, enriching material palettes and delivering enduring performance in everyday living environments.

Close up of Bordeaux European oak timber flooring showing natural grain

Project collaborators

Explore European Oak Flooring

Vienna Woods is a MasterSpec listed supplier for commercial timber flooring in New Zealand
Interior view of the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring from the Distilled Collection by Vienna Woods.
Light-filled interior of the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and neutral decor.
Hallway view of the Waiheke Island project highlighting Manhattan oak timber flooring and wood accents from Vienna Woods Distilled Collection.
View of the Waiheke Island project interior featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and modern design elements.
View of the staircase area in the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and wood accents.
Entrance area of the Waiheke Island project showcasing Manhattan oak timber flooring and modern wood paneling.
Close-up view of the Waiheke Island project's interior featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and modern wood panelling.
Bright kitchen and dining area of the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and contemporary furnishings.
Engineered timber flooring in a modern New Zealand open-plan home
Interior hallway of the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan timber flooring and wooden walls from the Ibiza Distilled Collection by Vienna Woods
engineered timber flooring in kitchen
engineered timber flooring in bedroom
See more from the Distilled Collection

Working on a residential or hospitality project?

Vienna Woods works with architects and interior designers across New Zealand to help specify timber flooring that meets both aesthetic and technical requirements.

Explore specification resources for architects and designers →

Point Chevalier — Residential Oak Flooring Case Study

Project overview

Located in Point Chevalier, Auckland, this residential project brings together a restrained architectural approach with material choices focused on longevity, performance, and continuity across spaces.

The design leans into calmness and cohesion. Instead of relying on contrast or feature moments, the interior is built around consistency — allowing light, proportion, and detailing to carry the space.

Timber flooring plays a foundational role throughout the home, acting as a unifying surface that supports the architecture rather than competing with it.

Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen and dining area

Running continuously through the main living areas, Bordeaux European Oak establishes material consistency while allowing the architecture to remain the focal point. The controlled tone and refined surface finish support a calm interior palette without visual interruption.

Flooring selection: Bordeaux European Oak

Bordeaux European Oak from the Petit Château Collection was selected for its balanced tone, controlled grain, and refined surface finish.

The colour sits comfortably within the home’s palette, adding warmth without visual dominance. That restraint allows joinery, natural light, and spatial relationships to remain the focus while the floor quietly anchors the interior.

Installed consistently across living areas, kitchen, circulation spaces, and secondary rooms, the floor creates continuity throughout the residence — reducing visual breaks and supporting a cohesive architectural language.

TV nook with built-in shelving and Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home

Specification and compliance

Beyond aesthetics, the flooring specification needed to meet both performance expectations and straightforward compliance for residential interiors.

Bordeaux European Oak is E3 compliant, which helps keep specification simple and avoids unnecessary consent complexity.

The product is also listed on MasterSpec, giving architects a clear, reliable specification pathway from documentation through to construction. As a result, coordination on site is smoother and the intent is easier to protect through delivery.

Vienna Woods is a MasterSpec listed supplier for commercial timber flooring in New Zealand
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen with warm timber joinery
Close up of Bordeaux European oak timber flooring with linen curtains in Auckland home

From specification to installation

A key objective for this project was fidelity between what was documented and what arrived on site.

The installed floor reflects the original intent — consistent grading, predictable tone, and a finish that performs in daily use while ageing gracefully over time.

That alignment reduces uncertainty during construction and supports confidence for architects, builders, and clients alike.

Close up of Bordeaux European oak timber flooring showing natural grain

Project collaborators

Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen and dining with built-in window seat
Side cupboard detail with Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home
Close up of Bordeaux European oak timber flooring with green rug in Auckland home
TV nook with built-in shelving and Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home
Close up of Bordeaux European oak timber flooring with linen curtains in Auckland home
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen with child
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen and dining area
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen with warm timber joinery
Built-in window seat with Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen and dining area
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland dining area with built-in seating
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen and dining area
Living room with Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen with timber cabinetry
Close up of Bordeaux European oak timber flooring board detail
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland open plan kitchen
Close up of Bordeaux European oak timber flooring showing natural grain
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland open plan kitchen and living area
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen with island and joinery
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland kitchen with island
TV nook with shelving and Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home
TV nook with shelving and Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland hallway
Built-in window seat with Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland home
Bordeaux European oak timber flooring in Auckland dining area

A considered outcome

This project demonstrates how European oak flooring can quietly support architectural intent — meeting compliance requirements while maintaining material integrity and visual restraint.

Bordeaux European Oak continues to suit residential projects where consistency, long-term performance, and confidence in specification matter. Its MasterSpec listing further supports a reliable pathway from design documentation to installation.

See more from the Petit Chateau Collection

Waiheke Island Project — Featuring Manhattan from the Distilled Collection

High-End Coastal Living, Grounded in Natural Warmth

Nestled among lush greenery with sweeping views of the ocean, this Waiheke Island residence captures the essence of refined coastal living. Interiors designed by Sojo Design and built by Tightlines Developments, the home combines architectural precision with a deep connection to its natural surroundings. The project reflects a harmonious balance between contemporary luxury and relaxed coastal living.

At the heart of the interior lies Manhattan from Vienna Woods’ Distilled Collection.  A premium European oak flooring that delivers timeless elegance with a hint of urban sophistication.

Where the Outside Flows In

Framed by floor-to-ceiling glass and surrounded by native greenery, the home blurs the line between indoors and out. The gentle texture and natural grain of the Manhattan flooring echo the organic palette of Waiheke Island, creating harmony between architecture and landscape.

Soft, sunlit interiors transition effortlessly to outdoor spaces, grounding the design in nature. The flooring brings warmth to the modern form, inviting a sense of calm and connection throughout the home.

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Westmere - 18

The Perfect Foundation

Chosen for its ability to balance urban refinement with natural charm, Manhattan provides a strong foundation that enhances both the design and the way the space feels to live in. Its warm tone and versatile grain pattern ground the open-plan living areas in a sense of calm and cohesion, while its lacquered surface ensures durability and easy maintenance for high-traffic zones.  This makes Manhattan a natural fit for the Waiheke project, where understated luxury meets everyday functionality.

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Stairs
Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Stairs

About Manhattan

Part of Vienna Woods’ Distilled Collection, Manhattan brings timeless elegance with a touch of urban chic. Inspired by the Manhattan cocktail, it carries the same sense of heritage, confidence, and classic appeal.

Equally at home in coastal retreats and contemporary city spaces, Manhattan flooring offers strength, style, and enduring beauty that elevates any interior.

Key Features

• Refined Coastal Aesthetic: Warm tones and subtle texture complement natural surroundings.

• European Oak Quality: Sustainably sourced and crafted for strength and longevity.

• Versatile Design: Suitable for both contemporary and timeless interiors.

• Durable Finish: Lacquered surface for easy care and lasting performance.

Project Partners

Design: @sojodesign

Build: @tightlinesdevelopments

Photography: @johnwilliamsphotography

Interior view of the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring from the Distilled Collection by Vienna Woods.
Light-filled interior of the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and neutral decor.
View of the Waiheke Island project interior featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and modern design elements.
Entrance area of the Waiheke Island project showcasing Manhattan oak timber flooring and modern wood paneling.
Close-up view of the Waiheke Island project's interior featuring Manhattan oak timber flooring and modern wood panelling.
Engineered timber flooring in a modern New Zealand open-plan home
Interior hallway of the Waiheke Island project featuring Manhattan timber flooring and wooden walls from the Ibiza Distilled Collection by Vienna Woods
engineered timber flooring in kitchen
engineered timber flooring in bedroom

The Distilled Collection celebrates craftsmanship, natural beauty, and the quiet sophistication of European oak.  Each plank is thoughtfully refined to showcase the material’s inherent character, designed to age gracefully while elevating any space it inhabits.

See more from the Distilled Collection