Happy New Year! We’re kicking off 2012 with a fun new column where I answer your pressing questions and help rekindle your loving relationship with your home.
Ready?
The first question comes from reader Lauren, who asks:
I have a quandary regarding wood flooring: if an existing space has built-in cabinetry (maple and cherry) along with a few pieces of custom walnut furniture, what type of wood flooring would work best to create a sense of cohesion? We’re leaning towards a darker tone, but there are so many options!
Any thoughts, suggestions, or alternative ideas would be really helpful- thank you!
Well…without seeing the actual built-ins, I’m imagining these as a two-tone combo of maple/cherry – which is not great (sorry, don’t mean to offend). It was popular for a bit in the 90′s but is now pretty dated and definitely can cause some problems with ‘matching another wood.’ Then the addition of walnut creates quite a contrast.
Example of walnut, maple and cherry together
This is indeed a tough question! Here are two recommendations:
1. Don’t use wood flooring. Tile, cork or linoleum would provide some textural contrast and could possibly incorporate all 3 tones that would help tie it all together.
2. Paint the built-ins white (or cream, depending on the style of the space). This opens up your options to whichever wood stain you really like, versus you choosing a so-so shade to accommodate the existing.
If you’re dead set on using wood and leaving the built-ins as they are, I would pick a wood stain that’s a close match to the trim of the built-ins. So, if the trim is cherry go with cherry flooring and if it’s maple go with maple flooring. This will create cohesion and not add any additional contrast in colors. The walnut furniture will look fine on either one.
Hope that helps!
Ask the Design Therapist: leave your questions in the comments below or email me at linsi@inspired-design-daily.com with questions and photos of your troubled spaces. Each month I’ll select 1 reader question – can’t wait to hear from you!
Ps Lauren, since I selected your question for my first column I’ve got an extra something special for you; A personalized Design Prescription for your problem space. Select any room you’d like and I’ll create a mockup sketch, visual board and written prescription to get your space on track. Email me to get started!