Silverton
“It was during our annual ski adventure that we came upon a turn-of-the-century ski lodge with all the charm of a bygone era. The owners invited us in to see the rustic, handmade furnishing. Breathtaking mountain views. Magnificent natural stone fireplace. And a split, knotted floor that emulated the exposed, mineral-streaked wood beams in the towering ceiling. Both looked to have been harvested from the surrounding mountain timber. It was just the comfortable, familiar feeling that was perfect for floors in my home.”
Amelia
“To me, the best part of traveling is discovering the shops of talented local artisans, where I can purchase truly unique pieces for my home. During my visit to the barrier islands, I stumbled upon a furniture shop, filled with authentic, one-of-a-kind items. It was obvious that creating beautiful furniture was this artisan’s craft, not his job. And it showed in the hand-scraped detailing. Heavily planed finishes. And rich, wood textures. That inspired me to find a floor that’s just as authentic.”
Chatham
“While traveling in New England, we came across a grand old house that was rented for weddings and local celebrations. We wandered up the lane and saw the door to the ballroom had been left open. Upon venturing inside, we found a maginficent floor. It seemed to be part of an old barn that had been reused in the ballroom. The rough-hewn planks and hand-scraped grooves had been softened by years of horses’ hooves, and later by brides’ slippers. Now the rich patina seemed mellowed like a fine, aged wine. It wasn’t long before I had the look of that beautiful floor in my home.”
Berkshire
“One day after antiquing in a nearby village, we stopped for supper at a roadside inn in the Berkshires. As we entered the old building, we were captivated by its ambience - the candlelit halls, the aromas from the kitchen, the resonance of 200 years of friendships, celebrations and tales of travelers from around the globe. What stayed with us after our trip was the glow of the firelight along the worn hickory floor. Every shift in shade, every mark, every knot bore witness to the decades lived on that floor. It wasn’t just a floor … it was a reflection of the many joys lived on it. So I found a floor just like that for our home.”
Hatteras
“Every summer, we rent the same beach house on the barrier islands off the Southeast coast. My favorite part of the week is when I slip quietly out of bed, while the rest of the family sleeps, and walk out onto the beach to watch the sunrise over the ocean. I can still hear the surf pounding on the beach, then see it rolling through the piles of driftwood, working away at the wood, exposing the deeply textured grain. The elements relentlessly leaving their beautiful signature. That image inspired my vision of a truly natural floor weathered by years of exposure to waves and sand and sun.”
Beaufort
“As we toured the casual, seaside charm of the homes and shops in the quaint coastal town, we were drawn to the imperfections of the century-old wood floors that had been primitively repaired time and again. While the tour guide recounted the colorful, local history and the people who settled the area a lifetime ago, I could see those stories reflected in the floors. The worn, patched wood created a rich, visual history that was perfect for my own floor.”
*Columbia Greeenworks™ is part of Mohawk® Greenworks™ Corporate initative. Log on to mohawkgreenworks.com for all Mohawk® Greenworks™ Corporate programs.