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Exotic and sustainable dominate trends in hardwood flooring
In today’s homes, run-of-the-mill hardwood floors have given way to ruddy sapele imported from Africa, warm planks of hand-distressed walnut and rustic oak boards reclaimed from deserted barns. Exotic wood species dominate flooring trends, and the principle of sustainability prevails.
Richard Hirsch, founder and CEO of Richard Marshall Fine Flooring, a Los Angeles County– based hardwood flooring manufacturer, says modern homeowners are pairing historic-looking floors with contemporary furniture—for reasons both aesthetic and functional.
“Wood is very forgiving. It’s warm, and it’s easy to use on a practical basis,” says Hirsch, whose work can be seen at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, where they used old-world techniques on northern white oak to create an atmosphere of snug sophistication.
Homeowners looking beyond North America for hardwood options can choose from those harvested in South America, Africa, Australia and Indonesia. Popular exotics include Brazilian cherry, sapele and tigerwood, an exotic species from Brazil that exhibits a deep orange color with dark veins. Darker colors, longer boards and wider planks are especially in demand, as are floors made of boards in alternating or random widths—from 3- to 5- to 7-inch planks.
The green movement has also made an impact on the industry, forcing manufacturers to become more creative in finding flooring options that meet their clients’ demands for sustainability.
“Using reclaimed wood is a good way to honor going green,” says Jeff Godwin, owner of Zauss-Godwin Hardwood Flooring in Solana Beach and Miramar. From pine found at the bottom of the Potomac River to oak timber from an old barn, reclaimed wood is the look of responsible vintage.
“For every tree cut down,” Godwin adds, “[foresters] plant three. One will probably die, one will replace the tree that was harvested, and one is for the good of the environment.”
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