Winners of The Block in 2012, Brad and Lara Cranfield talk through the importance of selecting the right flooring for your home.
Provide some insight into the property that you renovated; what was the interior/flooring like prior to the makeover?
A: Our newly renovated home was built in the 1950’s and had a mixture of different flooring types throughout. In some parts, it had original hardwood floorboards that had been painted white, while others were covered with old carpet meaning we had a big job ahead of us! On the plus side, the house had three-metre-high ceilings throughout the house which was a huge factor in the decision to open up the home.
Tell us about the style of the renovation; what inspired this look?
A: Living in Byron Bay meant that we wanted to create a home that represents our relaxed lifestyle - light and bright. However, it also needed to be a functional space that caters to a family with two young boys that are constantly on-the-go! For that reason, we knew that Carpet Court’s Amalfi range was the perfect option for our home. This is the first in what will be a three-stage renovation process; soon we are planning on putting in a pool and landscaping our front yard, followed by a bedroom extension.
Tell us about the flooring product that you used; what are its features and benefits? Why did you select engineered timber specifically?
A: For our new flooring, we wanted the warmth of an oak flooring option, as well as something that had a nice texture and grains throughout. As the original floorboards were quite narrow, we also wanted to have a more modern wide board look, and Carpet Court’s Oak Essentials range hit the brief.
We selected this flooring for several reasons; first because we were laying it over existing flooring so we needed something that would stay straight and true; and secondly, for ease and speed of installation. Now that it’s all complete, we love how it looks and how warm – and even slightly softer underfoot – it feels.
Tell us about the selection process. Was there anything that you needed to consider? What was the brief?
A: The selection process was quite easy, and our brief was simple. We narrowed it down to three of four options in the Carpet Court showroom and took samples home to place them in different areas of the house to see how they would look in the space.
Once we could view them in the space and in different lighting, we decided on the Oak Essentials range instantly. We knew it was going to work well with the other interior selections we had made at that point, as well as figuring out that sand would blend right in after our sons inevitably drag it all through the house!
How did the flooring impact the look and feel of the space?
A: Selecting the right flooring option is critical as it is always going to be the one constant in the room, setting the tone for the entire space.
The warmth and colour of the oak flooring has now flowed into a lot of the furniture pieces that we have selected - dining table, chairs, kitchen benchtops, buffets, and entertainment units. This has all come together to create the warm, coastal look that we were hoping to achieve.
What are your top three tips when it comes to selecting the right flooring for your home?
A:
1. Colour, look and feel – the right flooring colour will impact the rest of your interior decisions – select your flooring first and then work upwards.
2. Functionality – consider your lifestyle; do I live near the beach? Do I have pets? Do I have active children?
3. Budget – engineered flooring is a cost-effective option compared to solid timber, yet it still provides you with the look and feel of traditional timber flooring.
Tell us about the floor installation process; How long did it take? Did you have to undertake any preparation before the install?
A: The installation process was fantastic! We worked alongside a carpenter to complete the project and it was easy. Preparation included sanding our old floorboards back to achieve a flat, clean surface that was free of any old paint, glue, or dust. We then marked out straight lines to work from and proceeded with gluing and laying the boards down.
Once we had the first run down straight and true, it was then a matter of clicking the boards together and moving on, repeating the process over and over. The process of the boards going down was quick and we had the whole area laid in just a couple of days.
What are your top five tips for someone looking to upgrade their flooring?
A:
1. Budget – your budget should be your starting point, as it will determine which flooring options will be achievable.
2. Colour and texture – the colour and texture of your flooring will impact the entire space.
3. Functionality of each space – consider the activity that happens in each space; is it a relaxing space or one with high foot traffic?
4. Allergies – Brad has started suffering from allergies since moving to the northern rivers so timber flooring is a better option for our family.
5. Eco-friendly decisions – select products that are eco-friendly.
NEED MORE INSPIRATION?
Our collaborators take you through their renovation journey.
