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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
