Back in Black

Rod Lorenz

ebonized floorAn enthusiastic middle-aged couple came into our showroom recently, trying to decide on the right hardwood floors for their new custom home.

 The last type of hardwood they had in mind was oak. They had heard that oak “had a lot of grain,” and that popular, traditional look wasn’t what they were after.

But then I showed them a sample of oak flooring that had been finished using our unique ebonizing process. “That’s it!” they both cried out in unison.

This black finish doesn’t highlight the grain in oak the way lighter finishes do. And they loved the richness of the black color—they wanted something bold and unique, and black fit the bill.

They were suddenly imagining all kinds of interior design possibilities based around black floors.

They didn’t make a decision that day. They considered other popular options for black floors, such as birch and maple. They also second-guessed themselves a little bit. “Is black really the way we want to go?” they kept asking themselves.

Eventually, they decided it was. And they choose the ebonized oak floor we had first shown them.

Black Makes a Comeback

This couple is by no means the only customers we’ve had to fall in love with black floors. One of the trends I see with hardwood floors is that black floors—and dark floors in general—are becoming popular again.

In the 1970s, black flooring was fashionable. So was dark cabinetry. This combination created a very dark atmosphere—but that was the cozy feel many people wanted. But then that look started to seem dreary to many people, and there was a general shift toward lighter, more “open” looks—a style that’s been popular now for decades. 

In the past few years, however, I’ve seen a lot of homeowners moving back to black. They want something a little different—maybe even a little daring—and the rich, vivid appearance of black appeals to them. The difference is that they’re using black floors in conjunction with light (often white) cabinetry and furniture.  This dark/light contrast is very distinctive and eye-catching, combining warm coziness with visual excitement.

Ebonized Oak

The ebonizing process we use produces oak flooring that looks like wenge, a very expensive exotic species known for its gorgeous, lush black color. Despite its reputation for pronounced grain, oak can be the perfect choice if dark floors appeal to your taste—as those new homeowners who visited our showroom discovered.

I invite you to stop by and see a sample for yourself.

 

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