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.

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 — made by the project team and executed by the installing contractor — defined how this floor reads.

Glue-down across the whole footprint. Glue-down is the method we recommend 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
  • Flooring supply: Vienna Woods (supply only — installation by the project’s flooring contractor)
  • 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

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.

Browse More Flooring Projects

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

Limn Residence Westmere – Oak Chambord Flooring Case Study

Architects: Cosgrove Goodwin

Flooring: Vienna Woods – Chateau Collection, Oak Chambord, 240mm wide plank, 2.2m lengths

Photography: Mark Scowan

A Private Westmere Oasis

In Auckland’s coastal suburb of Westmere, the Limn Residence by Cosgrove Goodwin sits as a refined, light-filled retreat. The home’s architectural language blends sculptural curves, finely detailed stonework, and considered sightlines, creating a sense of calm and connection to its surroundings. A smooth indoor-outdoor transition leads to a pool area, while interiors are bathed in an ever-changing play of natural light across the day.

At the heart of the palette is Vienna Woods’ Oak Chambord from the Chateau Collection – a 240mm wide plank in generous 2.2m lengths. The board’s soft, natural tone and subtle texture complement the home’s warm, modern aesthetic.

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Westmere - 18

Meeting E3 Compliance in the Kitchen

 

The kitchen and dining zones flow seamlessly to outdoor entertaining areas, and with that comes the question every architect must address – compliance with E3 Internal Moisture under the NZ Building Code.

Because Oak Chambord is an engineered timber with a lacquered finish, it can be used in kitchens when correctly detailed. Prefinished boards mean the wear layer is fully sealed before installation, limiting moisture ingress. The boards were installed over a laser-finished concrete slab with appropriate vapour control layers, satisfying both functional performance and compliance.

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

The Stairway Challenge – Slip Resistance and Optics

  1. Slip Resistance Compliance

    The local council required proof that the engineered timber used for stair cladding met the slip resistance requirements of AS/NZS 4586:2004.

    We provided a slip resistance test report showing a mean coefficient of friction of 0.62, well above the required minimum of 0.40 for horizontal pedestrian surfaces . This cleared the way for approval without the need for additional surface treatments.

  2. Optical Trip Hazard

    While compliant, timber stair cladding can sometimes appear visually indistinguishable from the adjacent flooring, creating an optical trip hazard—particularly with the bottom step.

    In this case, the lowest tread was blending too seamlessly into the hallway flooring. Options discussed included:

    • Introducing recessed LED strip lighting to the risers for visual contrast.

    • Integrating a fine metal strip into the nosing to catch light and define the edge.

    Both solutions maintain aesthetic integrity while improving safety.

 

Installation image - Chamboard in Westmere
Installation image - Chamboard in Westmere
Installation image - Chamboard in Westmere

Execution Under a Tight Timeline

This project ran to a demanding schedule. The pre-finished Chambord boards and perfectly level concrete subfloor allowed for rapid progress, with the entire flooring installation completed in under a week. The precision of the product meant minimal on-site adjustments and a clean, efficient workflow.

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring
Chambord wide French Oak Flooring

Cosgrove Goodwin’s Architectural Approach

Cosgrove Goodwin are known for their finely crafted, site-responsive homes. Their work often explores natural materiality, light manipulation, and spatial flow – all of which are evident in Limn Residence.

Here, their use of curved internal forms, a striking stone wall in the foyer, and perfectly framed views out to the pool exemplify their skill in blending structure with softness. The wide oak planks reinforce the home’s grounded feel while offering warmth and continuity through each space.

 

Chambord wide French Oak Flooring - Westmere

The Result

The combination of Cosgrove Goodwin’s architectural precision and Vienna Woods’ Oak Chambord flooring delivers a home that is both sophisticated and deeply liveable. Every room benefits from the floor’s timeless character, while practical considerations – from E3 compliance in wet-adjacent areas to stair safety – were resolved without compromise to the design.

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