Cube Award Winner, Berkhamsted

To achieve a contemporary design, SJ paired white walls and open spaces with White Smoked Oak flooring from our Deco Plank collection. The European Oak, after being smoked to bring out its warm, varied tones, is finished with a white UV oil. This not only softens the richer smoked hues but also provides a durable, hardwearing surface, ideal for busy areas. Additionally, the long planks, measuring 1900mm, are excellent for elongating any room, enhancing the sense of space. The rustic features of this varied oak floor perfectly balance the modern aesthetic, adding depth and character, ideal for a contemporary design, as SJ went on to describe…

“White smoked oak flooring was used in the hallway to effortlessly sit amongst the drama of the double height ceiling with glazed roofing and curved staircase. For consistency and a seamless flow, the wood flooring was continued into the home office and snug, adjoining the hallway.“

When speaking with homeowner Lauren, she too agreed that White Smoked Oak was a great choice for their design goal of opening up their space, as she went on to explain…

“Our designer SJ really chose the wood, but I think it was due to creating a really open and natural look, especially in our double-height entryway. Our main goal with the house was to make it feel open and to create a sense of space. That very much is achieved with the White Smoked Oak planks which elongate the space as well.”

When it came to the snug, SJ also used our bespoke wall panelling to add an extra layer of depth, perfect for creating a warm and cosy room, separate from the clean and contemporary design throughout the rest of the home. From our Panneau collection, SJ selected our Reclaimed wall cladding, which consists of selected pieces of reclaimed chestnut from old agricultural buildings. Available on a special-order basis, these distinctive panels are the perfect way to add character to any design, as SJ explains…

“To add warmth, depth and impact to the snug, reclaimed wood Panneau was used on the far wall with up/down wall lights to emphasise the varying textures. And lastly, ‘colour blocking’ was introduced for an injection of fun with a geomatic patterned rug and varying cushions.”

The result was a beautiful spacious family home filled with both light and character, that went on to win first place in the Commercial Design category at last year’s Cube Award presented by TV architect Laura Jane Clark. Rewatch the highlights from the 2023 Cube Awards here, or why not start your flooring journey today by ordering your free sample of White Smoked Oak here!