The Inside Story - As published in Nourish Magazine | Written by Liz French
Gerrand Floorings’ Leanne and Tony Rich recently renewed the flooring in their own home. Nourish Magazine got a peep into the result and found out what flooring, flooring experts choose.
When you have the benefit of experience built over years in the industry, and ongoing exposure to the best visionary architects and designers in the field, what do you apply to your own home? For Leanne and Tony it’s the culmination and consideration of textures, colours and elements and the skill of layering those, when reflooring their own home.
When Leanne and Tony moved into their Mount Maunganui home 26 years ago it was a one level bach a block back from the beach. They added a top floor for more space and sea views and then, with their focus firmly on the business, their beloved home mainly took a back seat, that is until last year.
Finally, the decision to upgrade a laundry and one bathroom expanded to include the ensuite, then extended to the kitchen and soon the project became a full blown renovation, now in the final throes of completion.
This family home décor reflects the beachy “lightness of being” atmosphere you would expect from a former bach, now one exuding an air of relaxed sophistication.
Timeless Timber
The ground floor originally had tongue and groove timber flooring but it had been resurfaced so many times over the years it was well past its use by date. Leanne and Tony chose to continue with their love of timber but this time not just a standard plank size finish but a parquet size European Oak timber with an oil finish from Creative Flooring.
The timber is from Europe but the product for each project is then custom finished in Auckland with the oil and project colour. Parquet conjures up a vision of the classic herringbone pattern but Leanne and Tony had long decided on a basketweave install style – several smaller parquet size planks carefully lined up.
Alternating the direction of the squares has created a lovely play of light on the floor of the open plan living and entrance, an area flooded in sunshine. Tony is a big fan of an oil finish as the oil embellishes the grain of the timber giving character and variance. He says “There is a lot of satisfaction nourishing this timber finish and watching the texture and depth evolve”.
Guest Suite Sanctuary
The beach theme continues off the timber flooring into the guest bedrooms where a chunky textural and natural Sisal draws on the coastal vibe that sets the scene for a relaxed getaway and is the ideal base for the panelled walls, shuttered windows and flowing linen look curtains. Leanne notes "The feeling underfoot of this chunky Sisal is actually softer and more welcoming than the perception most people have of a natural jute style flooring. We have chosen a chunky sisal which I love!”
Clever Contrast
The stairwell carpet hints at a complete change of atmosphere as you approach the upstairs lounge and main bedroom. With a sneak peak from their valued Bremworth partners into a product that was at the time under embargo (now released) Leanne and Tony were able to choose a luxurious felted yarn chunky cut-pile; aptly named Te Aroha. Its rich lavish hue is called ‘Bronze’. Depending on the light of the day or night it hints of cinnamon, ginger and dark caramel as it changes with the light. The way this grounds the otherwise neutral décor while packing a personality punch makes it an inspired choice. Leanne says the bronze is one of a range of earthy metallic tones from the spectacular Te Aroha range which also includes rich copper and green, greys and soft naturals.
Laundry Day Practicality
Down to the basement, the refresh here is crisp and clean and no fuss. There’s a nod to a terrazzo look on the floor to balance the white with a commercially rated vinyl tile from Expona Commercial. Tony says “This was an easy choice as the space also shares a shower used post beach visits and sandy swimwear, so the easy care fully waterproof product and low maintenance benefits are a big tick”.
“Home is for Living”
While Leanne and Tony are always considerate of the way their clients live in recommending flooring, their own vibe is that a home is for relaxed living and enjoying and share that even though for example their timber is brand new, that minor bumps and dings are expected organically and will become part of its personality.
As you may expect Leanne is an “early adopter” when it comes to new flooring products, but also “ knowing the benefits of what you are choosing and understanding the finished look and feel you’re after” she says is key. This is something Leanne believes she and Tony have done with their choices - “We’ve chosen timeless natural products for our home from time tested brands, and in colours that will carry through in their environment in years to come.
Using two quite different carpets in the home looks seamless and appropriate for the atmosphere created. Leanne says her clients are being more adventurous with carpet these days, in many cases choosing more than one to create room individuality noting that sunken lounges are making a comeback, inviting delineation with contrasting carpet colour, texture or pattern.
Products:
Timber Flooring: Creative Floorings – European Oil Parquet in colour Half Graphite
Sisal: Artisan - Orbit
Carpet: Bremworth – Te Aroha colour Bronze
Design Vinyl Tile – Expona Commercial colour Grey Terrazzo
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