Herringbone – A Family Home with Soul

Vienna Woods customer Sophie Heyworth shares her inspiration behind the design of her home and the reasons why they went with Vienna Woods Flamingo in a Herringbone flooring pattern.

Why did you choose this Vienna Woods flooring?

Vienna Woods was our first port of call having seen their flooring in a number of homes we liked. The idea of a herringbone floor was something we didn’t realise was possible until we saw a beautiful example installed by one of VW’s craftsman installers – we were immediately hooked. We wanted to use timber with plenty of grain and texture, laid as individual pieces – something that would feel amazing and tactile under bare feet. Flooring is arguably one of the most important decisions in a house and has a huge impact on the aesthetics and feel of a space, so we thought it was worth investing in.

What was your inspiration when designing your home?

We wanted to create a home with soul – to us that meant warmth, natural materials and a sense of craft. It’s not a big home by today’s standards and is a renovated ‘modernist’ style architectural home from the 70’s. It had nice proportions, large windows and novel details – some which work and some which don’t! We were inspired by the architect’s original drawings and details, many of which were never implemented. So we essentially went back to the materials and detailing which were originally drawn by the original architect and then improved on by our builder, landscaper and kitchen designer.

What was the overall look and feel you were trying to achieve?

For us, the house is predominantly intimate and personal, yet able to open out on both sides in summer to create a pavilion-style area for larger numbers of friends and family. In that sense it makes a great summer house which is cool, breezy and very much indoor-outdoor, whereas in winter it is closed in to create a cozy, warm place to hibernate. Ultimately the house needs to function as a busy family home, so it has to be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The floor is testament to this – we don’t have to be too precious about it and it still looks great. As with all natural materials, it gets better with age!

Engineered Timber Flooring: Flamingo /// Himalaya Herringbone

See the full collection from Flamingo here. 

Raftwood Collection – Textured Wood Flooring with a History

Raftwood; the Epitome of Rustic, Texture Wood Floor

Raftwood is more than a timber flooring option; it’s a piece of history brought into your home. Originally produced from railway sleeper oak, each Raftwood plank is unique, featuring natural grains and textures that tell a story from a bygone era.

 

Brown rustic timber flooring

The Origins of Raftwood

The oak used in Raftwood has a rich history.  For many years Raftwood was produced using reclaimed railway sleepers from the Eastern Bloc.  Interestingly, railway sleepers used oak for its hardness and resistance to rot.  In many cases this timber was more than a century old and characterised by natural wood splits, knots, cracks and dents.   All of these factors have contributed to beautiful repurposed product that lives on and exudes character.

Today Raftwood is still produced from French oak, however the original railway sleepers are no longer available.  It is still produced by the same artisans with techniques to showcase the natural characteristics of this ultra rustic wood flooring.  Every plank still tells a story of time that’s passed with a nod to it’s origins.

Light Colour Texture Rustic Oak Herringbone Floor

Specifications and Uses

Raftwood is not just aesthetically pleasing; it is also highly functional. This textured wood floor is fortified with a natural oil finish that preserves its integrity and enhances its natural beauty. It’s perfect for a variety of applications, from flooring to wall installations, and can be used in both residential and commercial settings. Additionally, matching stair nosings can be produced to ensure a cohesive look throughout your space. The oiled finish also allows for the application of intumescent coatings, enhancing its fire resistance, where required.

Most Common Dimensions;

    • Available in Engineered timber planking and parquet in a 15mm overall thickness and 4mm wear layer
    • Herringbone/ Chevron at 600 x 120mm or 700 x 140mm
    • Standard planking up to 3m in length and up to 300mm wide

Other Specifics;

    • E3 Compliant for use in kitchens and laundries (documentation available for download against each specific product).
    • Made in Germany and The Netherlands
    • Birch multiply engineered backing
    • Tongue and Groove connection
    • CE certified
    • No added formaldehyd, rated VOC A+
    • Sustainably sourced

Downloadable resources available here.

Living area, architectural finishes, rustic textured wood flooring

Colour Palette and Texture

The Raftwood collection offers a range of colours that suit various interior styles. The palette includes shades from warm mid-tones to rich dark hues, each enhancing the rustic charm of the wood. The rich texture, complete with open splits and cracks, adds a rugged yet elegant touch to any room, creating spaces that are both inviting and timeless.

Rustic texture herringbone wood flooring in kitchen area

Romantic Appeal

Choosing Raftwood means bringing a piece of romance into your home. Its unique, weathered appearance nods to a time long past, adding character and charm that modern materials often lack. Each plank’s history and individual texture contribute to creating a space that is truly unique and full of character.

Raftwood collection
Raftwood collection-2

Learn More

Explore the full range of Raftwood and discover how it can transform your space. Visit our Raftwood Collection page to see the options available in this unique flooring.

VIEW THE RAFTWOOD COLLECTION

Grand Oak Onyx – Eastern Bays Luxury Home

Grand Oak Onyx in extra wide 250mm boards and is featured throughout this Hulena Architects designed home in Auckland’s Eastern Bays.

The substantial property offers unparalleled luxury and is a demonstration in sustainable living.

Anchored by the designer kitchen and Grand Oak Onyx floorboards in generous 2400mm lengths, the main living area flows seamlessly to the heated pool and lawn area.

 Engineered Timber Flooring: Grand Oak Onyx

 

View the Gran Oak Onyx Product

Baltic Wood Oak Taupe – Terrace House

Vienna Woods are proud to be associated with these luxury terraces in Auckland’s Inner West. We supplied and installed Oak Taupe, Oak Cashmere, and Oak Supernatural for this multi-terrace development.

These modern and versatile oak colours were chosen to complement the design-focussed interior.

The quality and style of these terraces sets a benchmark for new build terrace homes, set across three levels of living and accommodation, the scale of the homes is surprising. The generous living area is anchored by an enormous kitchen featuring natural wood and stone.

 Engineered Timber Flooring: Vienna Woods /// Oak Taupe

View the Baltic Oak Taupe PRoduct

Stylish in Orakei – Oak Supernatural

The blended natural and slightly blond tones of Oak Supernatural wide boards feature throughout this new townhouse in Orakei. Flooded with sunlight and complemented by crisp contemporary interiors the open-plan layout is focused on living and beckons entertaining.

There is a feeling of luxury here, with quality evident everywhere, from the European kitchen complete with high-end appliances, extra wide and long Oak Supernatural floorboards, to the attention paid to the lighting and fixtures.

 Engineered Timber Flooring: Vienna Woods /// Oak Supernatural

 

View the Oak Supernatural Product

Volunta Oak Cappuccino – Orakei New Build

Meticulously designed, this 5 bedroom 344m2 executive home in Orakei features Volunta smoked Oak Cappuccino oiled flooring and top of the range tiles and hardware, creating a feeling of luxury throughout.

The developer chose the extra wide (220mm) and generous board lengths of Oak Cappuccino to bring a premium ambience to the interior.

The exterior of this 3 level home is sheathed in dark cedar cladding, it’s open atrium creates a grand entrance area, while the high-end kitchen makes for effortless entertaining.

Clever design delivers private hubs within the home, for the varying needs of family or guests.

Engineered Timber Flooring: Volunta Products have been upgraded to Admonter Products