Embracing the Dark

When designing a space in a home there are always elements that can not be changed. Mostly due to budget. One of the biggest items that most homeowners choose not to change is their hardwood floors.

Do you refinish the existing floors, go over them with a floating hardwood floor if possible, or do you embrace what you have an make it part of your design?

Hardwood floors have have changed colors over the years. We went from dark and moody flooring to the red oak and natural and now to very light floors like white oak. Of coarse the color of your stain can be anything you can imagine.

I see a turn in the design world to changing back to the rich and dark moody flooring. Why is that? It is classic and classic always comes back around.

A white kitchen with a dark floor can make the it feel so warm and inviting. White cabinets can give a very sterile feel to a kitchen but as you can see the dark floor grounds this kitchen and the green tile brought up around the window gives a brilliant contrast to the whole view.

Do not be afraid of your floors if they are dark. Especially if you don't have the budget to change them. Embrace them and you can make your space very classic and cohesive.

Here are a few more example of dark floor designs in a kitchen.

The painted black doors and windows reflect the floors and bring life to the kitchen.

The white subway tile reflects all the light in the room and the dark island and refrigerator bring balance along with the dark oak flooring.

Here you can see the beautiful darker wood flooring in the gorgeous kitchen Mallory Nikolaus designed.

She brought the classic kitchen to life with the white cabinetry and darker island. All the touches of brass and beautiful antique lighting. Mallory does not fit into a design box. Take a cue from her. When you take chances, your home will be uniquely you and everyone who walks in your home will see your vision.

So embrace your dark floors and know that your home can be warm inviting and up to date without changing them.