WHITE WASHED hardwood floors

Here is a little bit of information I have wanted to explore for a while now, feel free to email through any questions or write them on the Facebook page too, (which you can find by click here).

Friends has recently started renovating their home. They had beautiful wooden floors, rich in colour but have now opted for something a little more modern. After looking through interior design websites, design and DIY blogs, I came across some information for them on the process. One lucky find was the website of a young European man who is attempting to whitewash wooden flooring which he discovered when he pulled up old carpet throughout his new home.

Here is a closeup of what a whitewashed hardwood floor would look like.

Here are a few instructions on creating the white-washed appearance;

The process for white washing is a simple one but time consuming. It can also be called Pickling wood. Instead of buying a premixed pickling, you can make your own by simply taking a latex paint of colour you like and mixing it 50/50 with water.

To apply, you want to apply areas the whole length or width of the flooring depending on which way the flooring runs. It can be applied using a paint roller and letting it set for about 2 minutes. Then you take a clean ran and wipe over the surface with the grain. Remove as much of the paint as you want. Some like to leave a white film over the wood, while others like wiping it down so the paint is only in the grain.

After you are done, let it dry over night and then apply a coat of polyurethane. You let that dry and then sand it with a 220 grit sand paper (you can find this at any Bunnings store in Australia), just buffing lighting to remove any raised grain. 

Vacuume and apply another coat of polyurethane.

You can also apply the white wash a bit thicker, which will of course give you a brighter and whiter look.

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concrete floors

A trend which is appearing more everyday in interior design is concrete flooring. It is now being used in both commercial and residential environments. Using concrete as a finished product is both cost effective and durable. Wooden floor is very expensive and tiles, (not if) but when they crack are painful to replace.

There is a product called aggregate which is used in concrete flooring. Aggregate are small rocks which help bind the concrete together. You can either have revealed aggregate or hidden. I prefer the revealed look, I think it gives the flooring more personality. Another option to consider is polished concrete, this leaves the floors a little shiny, a great option for residential spaces.

With its neutral color, it will pair up well with many hues. Add some wood elements to warm up the space a bit.

When you think of concrete floors, your mind goes directly to industrial design. But you may take it in another direction. Using traditional and feminine decor and furniture will transcend the industrial and make it glamorous.

Lots of white and punches of colours looks great with these floors too.

Or take its macho character and go with it. Some industrial finishes and sleek vintage wood furniture would be great for a bachelor's pad.

Another thing that I like about it is I think it's so low maintenance. It's used in home depots and garages for a reason right?

Concrete + black + wood + tons of white = lovely

And for those who love it that much, take it up the wall.

So, love it or hate it?

Images from http://www.switcheroom.com/2012/07/love-it-or-hate-it-concrete-floors.html