11/20/08

A thing of great beauty!

That's the best way to describe our finished solid oak floor. I still cannot believe anyone would choose to cover these floors, with what was pretty horrid carpet! But wood floors weren't in fashion back then and right now I am kinda glad they did, as it's basically a 'new' old floor for us.

The ladies who finished them for us, are very experienced and recommended this particular water based finish. It is a satin finish and extremely hard-wearing and durable, one of them has had it in a Bed & Breakfast for many years and it still looks as good as new.

The people who built and owned this house before us, owned the local lumber yard for many years. So we are blessed with fabulous wood doors, mouldings and cabinets throughout our home, but these floors are definitely the 'jewel in the crown'.

Whilst prepping this room, we have discovered this same 'virgin' oak flooring in our bedroom and we already knew we had it in the guest bedroom. So in May next year, the carpets will be taken up in these rooms too and the same finishing process applied.

Now we just need to finish the edging with quarter-round and get some new pretty floor vent grilles. We will move our dining furniture back in on Sunday and I can finally get my reading area set-up with my new bookshelves, at that far end where you see the painting.

I will post a final piccie when it's totally finished and furnished.

19 comments:

Jill of All Trades said...

Beautiful, just beautiful. We love our wood floors. Good luck to find them under the carpet. When we purchased our home was prayed they were wood under the carpet but alas it was just planks and so all new...Whoopee...Beautiful

Bella Foxx said...

You are right, a thing of great beauty, we had wood floors under our carpet but the landlord's workers ruined them when they hung new drywall, cut right through and scored the wood, so now we have flooring down, not wood but looks like it. Very pretty.

Anonymous said...

There's nothing quite like real wood floors. Stunning. I want real wood floors in my home when we get to buy our own place and I hope they look as good as yours do.

Pam said...

Good thing Bonbon is in the horsepistol or you might have little kitty prints in that new sealer! ;) ha. Girl, it is GoRGEOUS. Definitely worth the effort. I think in years past, people didn't want the hassle of having the floors re-done so just covered with carpet. Plus I think they were harder to care for then than now -- lucky ya'll and yay for curries soon!

Leslie: said...

*standing applause*

What a difference a floor makes! I had all my old 25-year-old carpet taken up 2 years ago and had top of the line laminate put down. I couldn't afford "real" wood, but no one would ever know. The entire main floor of the house was done and it was amazing! Your room is going to look fab-u-lous once you get the furniture in!

Bravo!

Expat mum said...

You do realise this is a slippery slope. Rehabbing and interior decor - it's never finished. You'll always be wanting to do something. I'm saying this because we've been in our house five years this month and I'm still "not finished".

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Floors look beautiful, and believe me they hold up far better than you can imagine..
I use a damp towel to wipe mine down once a month, then finish with a dry towel, they keep their finish and look splendid !
Now you can try your hand with hubbie and practice the "Dancing with the stars" moves ;)

Anonymous said...

The floor looks beautiful! I'd love to have hardwood floors - unfortunately under our carpet is a concrete slab. Maybe someday ...

Linda Jennings said...

Absolutely beautiful!! We had hardwood floors instlled on the foyer, kitchen and informal dining area 20 years ago. I think it is time to pull up the carpet and install it to the rest of the house!

Kat said...

Those are beautiful floors! I can't believe anyone would want to cover them with carpet.

We finally made it to England! The plane ride was a killer, but it has been smooth sailing since.

Its Just Me - Daring to Dream said...

Oh SO Impressed!

Winifred said...

That floor is absolutely gorgeous. They must have been mental to cover it. As you say fashions change.

The Factory said...

I think you should have a dance in there. Stick up a glitterball and you could dance to the Star Wars disco version. Well, I would anyway.

Tess Kincaid said...

Wow!!! Gorgeous!! Oh, how I want to do mine. Maybe after the holidays!

Your floor looks like a piece of fine furniture!

Veronica said...

Very pretty! :)

Janet said...

Looks fabulous, Sarah. Great job!

Daryl said...

I am SO jealous ..

:-Daryl

Kay said...

I love those floors! Real wood! Wow!

Anonymous said...

Sarah, they are truly jewels. You're so lucky to have them. I, too, love wood floors and wish they were throughout the house.~~Dee