Case Study: A Clifftop Sanctuary in Saint Heliers, Featuring Sazerac Oak

High on Cliff Road in Saint Heliers, this home looks out over the water. The owners wanted the inside to feel as calm as the view, a light-filled space to retreat to, and they wanted a floor that would still look right years from now, not just at the start. They chose Sazerac, our European-made oak, in the 220mm wide plank, installed by Finesse Floors.

Sazerac European oak flooring in 220mm wide planks running through a light-filled clifftop living room with sea views in Saint Heliers, Auckland.

Why Sazerac

Sazerac comes from our Distilled Collection, made in Europe from slow-grown Lithuanian oak. The cold Baltic climate slows the tree’s growth, which makes for a hard, dense and stable timber. In a home that is lived in every day, that stability is what helps the floor hold its shape and character over the long life of the home. This home is finished in Light Feature grade, close to Prime, where the natural character stays light.

Open-plan living and dining area floored in Sazerac wide-plank oak in a Saint Heliers home by Vienna Woods.

The tone is what made it land here. Sazerac is subtle and warm, with creamy natural oak notes and a gentle luminosity. In a house this full of light, the floor catches the light and softens it rather than bouncing it back, so it sits back and lets the interiors and the outlook lead.

Sazerac wide-plank oak flooring running from the living room through to the dining area in a Saint Heliers home.

Close-up of Sazerac 220mm wide oak planks showing the natural grain and warm, light tone.

The 220mm width gives each room a generous, contemporary scale, and the long planks keep the lines clean across the open living areas. It reads as one continuous, calm surface from the living room through to the dining.

Natural light falling across Sazerac oak flooring beside sheer curtains in a calm Saint Heliers living room.

A floor that carries upstairs

The same oak carries up the floating staircase, its timber treads set against a fine black steel balustrade. It is a quiet, architectural moment, and a reminder that a floor is not only underfoot.

Floating oak staircase with a black steel balustrade above Sazerac oak flooring in a Saint Heliers home.

Floating oak stair treads detail, matched to the Sazerac wide-plank oak flooring.

The result

The result is the sanctuary the owners were after. A light, hard-wearing oak floor that reads as calm, and that they feel underfoot every day, not just see.

There is a story in the name, too. Sazerac is named after the world’s first recorded cocktail, the anchor of our Distilled Collection. Like its namesake, it is made to age well.

Upstairs landing and hallway in Sazerac oak flooring in a Saint Heliers clifftop home by Vienna Woods.

The team

This one came together with people who are good at what they do.

Flooring installation: Finesse Floors
Kitchen design: Nicola Manning Design
Photography: Mark Scowen

More of this home, including the Nicola Manning Design kitchen, to come.

See it for yourself

Explore the Sazerac floor and the wider Distilled Collection, order a sample, or talk to our team about the right oak for your project. You can also browse our colours and tones.

You might also like A Serene Escape in Wanaka, another home in Sazerac oak.

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 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.

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.

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.

Browse More Flooring Projects

French Oak in Westmere

Project: Forever Home

Location: Westmere, Auckland, New Zealand

Product: Chateau Collection // Oak Chambord

Case Study: Oak Metz Flooring at Mindful Adventures, Waiheke Island

Project: Waiheke Horizons Retreat

Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Product: Oak Metz – Smoked European Oak Flooring

Client: Lisa Markwick, Founder of Mindful Adventures

Perched on a coastal ridge overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Horizons is a serene loft-style retreat designed to offer rest and renewal. The space, curated by leadership coach and facilitator Lisa Markwick, embodies simplicity and elegance, providing guests with a tranquil environment to unwind and reconnect.

Oak Metz lightly grey smoked oak wood flooring

Why Oak Metz Was Chosen

The selection of Oak Metz flooring was integral to achieving the retreat’s calming ambiance. This smoked European oak, finished with natural oil, offers a smooth, tactile surface that complements the retreat’s minimalist aesthetic. Its subtle smokey tones and natural grain harmonise with the organic materials and textures found throughout the space, from the linen bedding to the sheepskin accents.

The flooring’s durability ensures it withstands the varying conditions of an off-grid setting, while its sustainable European craftsmanship aligns with the retreat’s commitment to environmental mindfulness.

Enhancing the Retreat Experience

Guests at Waiheke Horizons are invited to slow down and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Waiheke Island. The Oak Metz flooring contributes to this experience by providing a warm, grounding presence underfoot, enhancing the overall sense of comfort and relaxation.

Greenbelt House Stairs, showcasing Vienna Woods Sazerac Prime Grade Wood Flooring

Lisa’s thoughtful integration of materials and design elements, including the choice of Oak Metz, reflects her dedication to creating spaces that support personal growth and well-being.

For more information about the retreat and its offerings, visit Mindful Adventures.

Case Study: A Serene Escape in Wanaka, Featuring Sazerac Prime Grade Flooring

Tucked away in the peaceful surrounds of Wanaka, this elegantly refined residence showcases the meticulous work of Auckland and Queenstown-based design practice Studio Studio and the exceptional craftsmanship of our European-made Sazerac planks in Prime Grade. This project embodies calm sophistication, where the flooring plays a defining role in shaping the tone and rhythm of the home.

Greenbelt House, showcasing Vienna Woods Sazerac Prime Grade Wood Flooring

The home is finished with Sazerac oak planks in a rare Prime Grade—the highest level of timber grading, where visible knots, splits and natural imperfections are nearly absent. The result is a smooth, understated surface that allows the natural grain to take centre stage. Crafted entirely in Lithuania, from harvesting to finishing, this engineered timber flooring reflects the strength of local European timber knowledge and production. The planks are 180mm wide, bringing a generous, contemporary scale to each room.

The tone of Sazerac is subtle yet warm, with creamy natural oak notes and a gentle luminosity that plays beautifully with the abundant light in the home. The name ‘Sazerac’ pays tribute to the world’s first recorded cocktail, symbolising the foundational nature of this product within our Distilled Collection. Just like its namesake, Sazerac flooring is complex, timeless, and enduringly appealing.

Greenbelt House Kitchen, showcasing Vienna Woods Sazerac Prime Grade Wood Flooring

Studio Studio, known for their clean lines, intentional simplicity, and soothing material palettes, have designed a home that feels composed and balanced. Their design approach prioritises mood and light, which pairs harmoniously with the soft elegance of the Sazerac flooring. Natural daylight shifts through the home, revealing different tonal qualities in the timber—from golden warmth to cool neutrality.

Photography by Biddi Rowley captures the tranquil atmosphere and subtle textures of this Wanaka home. The images tell a story of stillness, softness and cohesion, and the flooring plays a quiet but pivotal role in that narrative.

Product Highlights:

Prime Grade European Oak – minimal knots, ultra-clean aesthetic
Engineered timber boards made and finished in Lithuania
Wide 180mm plank for a modern scale and visual consistency
Natural, soft colouring that shifts with changing light
Part of the Vienna Woods Distilled Collection

Explore more about Sazerac or get in touch with us to discuss your project.

Why Size Counts in Timber Flooring

Vienna Woods: Prioritising Quality and Aesthetics

At Vienna Woods, we uphold a strict standard: none of our engineered timber flooring products contain more than 17% short boards. Many of our collections, such as the Foundation Collection and Distilled Collection, feature fixed lengths, ensuring no short boards at all.

This commitment contrasts with the industry norm, where short board content is usually 25% or even 33% (and sometimes more). Excessive short boards can disrupt the visual harmony of a floor, especially in open-plan spaces.

The Rationale Behind Short Boards

Manufacturers include short boards for several reasons:

Maximising Timber Yield: Utilising shorter lengths reduces waste during production.
Cost Efficiency: Short boards are less expensive to produce and transport.
Installation Flexibility: Shorter boards can be useful in smaller spaces or for starting rows.

However, overuse of short boards can compromise the floor’s aesthetics and integrity.

Dark rich Oak flooring long lengths in open lounge dining and kitchen

The Impact of Excessive Short Boards

Aesthetic Disruption

A high percentage of short boards can lead to a fragmented appearance, breaking the continuity of the wood grain and making spaces feel cluttered.

Increased Head Joints

More short boards mean more joints, which can be visually distracting and may affect the floor’s stability over time.

Installation Challenges

Incorporating numerous short boards can complicate the installation process, potentially leading to increased labour costs and material wastage.

The Advantage of Longer Boards

Longer boards offer several benefits:

Enhanced Visual Flow: They create a seamless look, ideal for open-plan designs.
Reduced Joint Visibility: Fewer joints mean a cleaner appearance.
Reduced Waste/ Cost: Long boards can provide more efficient consumption of material without compromising on aesthetics.

Vienna Woods’ Commitment to Excellence

Our dedication to quality is evident in our product offerings:

Foundation Collection: Features fixed-length boards for a uniform look.
Distilled Collection: Offers premium, European-made, long-length boards with distinctive finishes.
Icons Collection: Showcases unique designs with longer lengths and strictly controlled short board content.
Petit Chateau: Shows that even cost-effective solutions can still offer quality where it counts (not more than 17% shorts).
Chateau Collection: Extra wide and long planks with interesting stain options and no more than 17% shorts.
Admonter: One of the best engineered flooring manufacturers in the world, Admonter offers strictly fixed lengths only.

Long and wide natural oak wood flooring planks in open lounge

Key Considerations When Selecting Timber Flooring

When evaluating timber flooring options, consider the following:

Short Board Percentage: Aim for products with less than 17% short boards.
Board Lengths: Consider appropriate plank size for the length of your space.
Fixed-Length Options: If it fits with your budget, pt for collections offering fixed-length boards for consistency.
Manufacturer Standards: Choose suppliers adhering to recognised quality standards.

Board length isn’t just a technical detail—it’s a design decision that affects the feel, flow, and finish of every space. Whether you’re specifying for a high-end residential project or curating textures for a commercial interior, understanding how short boards impact the outcome gives you a sharper edge. At Vienna Woods, we’re always happy to talk shop. If you’re navigating flooring choices for a project, or just want to understand the finer details of what sets premium engineered timber apart, we’d love to hear from you.