I love this kitchen, it’s such a stunning example of old meets new. And the thought of wooden floors, especially a bit worn, in the kitchen appeals to me above all others. Well, with the except of vintage tiles from Belgium or perhaps France or Turkey. I have a friend who has vintage wood floors, lovingly worn, in her kitchen and whenever I would visit her in Boston I always cherished our times at her kitchen table because it was such a sensory experience to be with her in that space — the aroma of apple cranberry muffins baking in the oven, the way the sunlight came through the windows, feeling that overall cozy “kitchen” ambiance, and admiring her gorgeous oak floors – warm and welcoming.

Here are more examples from Swedish Elle Interior magazine. I always refer to their website anytime I’m in need of inspiring interiors — I love the beautiful homes that they feature and the combination of old architecture with fresh, modern furnishings and even a few salvaged and junk shop finds. Eclecticism is still a hugely popular decorative style and I’m guessing will always be, and though trends change I see eclecticism as more of a classic — like jeans — that will forever remain a part of certain people’s life long after the current hype settles. It’s relaxed, it’s not governed by strict rules, there is no rhyme or reason to it — just that you have a good eye, collect things that appeal to you, and build a home with the central focus being your family first, and your lifestyle, then your furnishings and decorative style are considered to support all of that.

When eclecticism is put on, it always shows and feels a bit distant and cold, or even cluttered and chaotic. Don’t you think? That is why I believe the heart of pulling off the look is really digging inward and finding what you cherish, and discovering how you live (or how you’d like to live) and what you need to have that will support you and make your life run more smoothly. A little story about that.. When I had to pack and relocate abroad, the first thing I did was to make a list of my must-haves and then, if I couldn’t recall something to list it, I would conclude that it obviously wasn’t so meaningful or useful to me that I needed to take it. I sold 80% of my belongings over the course of two months — I hosted several garage sales, an indoor moving sale, and even tweeted about my move and a few decor8 readers drove up to my home and drove off into the sunset with many of my personal belongings. But there was freedom in that and from that experience because I learned what REALLY supports my life. And I’ve learned that I really didn’t use or need all of the things that I had. So now that I’m living abroad, with a fresh, clean slate, I’m deciding how to approach the accumulation of more things. I look at every object with a critical eye, and I think about the things that I left behind and that feeling of peace as people left my home carrying my belongings in their arms — and I wonder if I ever want to have so much again that I really don’t need or connect with. The answer is NO.

And so, back to hardwood floors. Yes, it seems the Swedish have them in some of their dream homes shown in Elle Interior, along with white kitchen floors that appear to be painted wood, and also black floors that look like either wood or vinyl (I can never tell as they are usually quite high gloss and appear seamless). I currently have tile in my kitchen, it is light gray and quite nice, nothing fancy or even “blog worthy” though it doesn’t at all make my kitchen feel warm and cozy, but it’s nice just the same. I have a pretty striped rug in the space and my open shelving with dishes and glasses and tea tins so together, without wood floors, I’ve made the space my own and I’m happy with what I have. But don’t we all dream of having wood floors in natural, white or black? A true Elle Interior style kitchen!

(images: elle interior sweden)

26 Responses to “Wooden Kitchen Floors”

1 Julie commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 8:57 am

The wooden floors are beuatiful. Wonder if I could keep those kleen :-)
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Beerlala Lifestyle: Hier woont Levi! =-.
2 Tricia McKellar commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 8:58 am

I love the glass front cabinets— I wonder if I could pull that off or if I have too much clutter. If I get to re-do my kitchen sometime, I’d like to have at least a few glass front cabinets– so lovely… The wall above the sink without cabinets is also wonderful! :)
.-= Tricia McKellar´s last blog ..garden in winter, new series =-.
3 Caroline commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 9:07 am

I must say that you are amazing: where do you find everything beautiful and how do you manage to do so many posts?! I am very glad that you do: your blog is so inspirational!
.-= Caroline´s last blog ..Paris =-.
4 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 9:19 am

Ah….this is so lovely and inspiring hun. Absolutely, I concur with all of it and strive to create my home in this way. And yes, wood floors in the kitchen…sigh. I love them and want them so very much in our kitchen now…some day. :) Thanks for this sweetie, it has inspired me today.
xo
Melis
.-= Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Melissa loves: Mary Swenson Photography =-.
5 Sam commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 9:50 am

I’ve always had wood floors, until the home we are in now (which has radiant heat + original mahogany paneling which would make wood floors a little much) and I miss those floors. Wood is soft underfoot and always looks beautiful.
I loved this post today; I think an ecclectic look has to be pulled together over time. I’ve stopped trying to rush to finish a room, waiting for the pieces I need until I find just the right one.
.-= Sam´s last blog ..A New Refrigerator =-.
6 laura trevey commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 10:14 am

We have hard wood flooring in our kitchen and I love the look so much that we have picked a cool wooden laminate for the art studio (in the works :)
.-= laura trevey´s last blog ..Beautiful Destinations: Nisbet Plantation =-.
7 juliette commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 10:15 am

I’m a sucker for wood floors as well. We put down a cheap roll of pvc in our kitchen and it has a dark hard wood floor design on it. I was sort of freaking out about doing it initially b/c I’m serious when I say I love old, REAL, wide plank floors – but you know what? It’s been great! I’m thrilled that we stayed on budget, that it’s easy to clean (unlike my dream floors), and makes me think of ‘wood floor’ in the kitchen. – now I’d never ever put it in any other room in the house, but it works in our kitchen.

Like you said, you can work with what you have and make it yours with a little effort.
.-= juliette´s last blog ..Living Colors: Estonian Intricacy =-.
8 Jane commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 10:32 am

I love those kitchens. Wood floors are much cozier than tile and they’re more versatile and finally tiles chip. Sadly I know this from experience.
9 Sarah commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 10:42 am

I also have had harwood in the kitchen and liked it. I now have travertine and think it may be a better choice. Spills, clean up, dinging up the wood. Either way, the wood floor above is gorgeous.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Simple Ways To Organize The Bathroom =-.
10 MayaLee commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 11:07 am

I love Elle Interiör! I think it is one of Swedens best magazines.
.-= MayaLee´s last blog ..Buteljgrön =-.
11 carolyn commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 11:20 am

loving the art propped up against the backsplash… and the little sneak peak of what looks to be a very cozy library.
12 simone commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 12:30 pm

I always visit your blog (never mind that Swedish Elle Decor!) when I need inspiration. Thanks!!
.-= simone´s last blog ..In the hood. =-.
13 Monica commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

Beautiful kitchens. I love the idea of a modern white kitchen with hardwood floors. Preferably in a pre-war with really high ceilings and original detailing. Maybe some french doors leading to a tiny little balcony…. Swoon.
14 Stephanie commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 1:37 pm

I have wooden floors in our kitchen and absolutely love them. True, they wear faster than other types of flooring, but so worth it.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Spring Lovelies =-.
15 At Home with Kim Vallee commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 2:08 pm

These floors look fabulous! When we renovated our home, I wanted one continuous floor material on the main floor. I was unsure at first to put a hardwood floor in the kitchen. We always had tiles until then. But now that I tried it, the hardwood floor is a keeper.
.-= At Home with Kim Vallee´s last blog ..The Quest for the Ideal Kitchen Design =-.
16 aneyefordetail commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 2:16 pm

I love wood floors in kitchens: don’t have one, and wish I did. But I don’t think they are very popular in the U.S….more so in Europe. Our house, built in 1923 DOES have wood under the two layers of tiles; maybe, someday, we will dig down and reveal the wood…
17 Emma commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 3:35 pm

I love our hardwood floors, we don’t have any other floor surface (other than tiles in bathroom) throughout our little cottage. Easy to clean, great for kids, warm and cosy in winter and my dog lies on the floorboards in summer! They are original but I’m not sure what timber.
18 Matti commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 3:54 pm

That Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum spp. goes perfect with the chairs. It is refreshing to see foliage on tables instead of flowers. Matti
.-= Matti´s last blog ..Plant ID Week Five Faves =-.
19 jeremy commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 6:02 pm

we are in the process of building a kitchen (out of a previously covered patio) and I love.LOVE.love those cabinet door hatches on the white/glass cabinets. any idea where i could find those? I’m not sure that they would work with our doors, but somebody that is making those would surely have some other unique pieces. Thanks and love the blog! I love how frequently you get new stuff up!
20 Naomi @ NIMO. commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 9:24 pm

I love wooden floors! But in the kitchen? I don’t know if it would be the most practical thing…and I would say – don’t ever get white kitchen floors – sooo messy :) Although both options are definitely gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing your experience of getting rid of 80% of your belongings. I’m in the same position right now: We’re moving back to Europe after living in Los Angeles for 3 years, and wow, we have accumulated so many things! I can already sense how difficult it is going to be to decide which things to keep!
.-= Naomi @ NIMO.´s last blog ..Because Beauty is in the Basics =-.
21 Yasmine commented:
March 4th, 2010 at 11:06 pm

I wouldn’t mind any kind of floor in those beautiful eclectic kitchens! I love modern but I dream of a spacey ( but not too big) kitchen with wooden table and chairs in the middle.
.-= Yasmine´s last blog ..Is Blue Your Favorite Color? =-.
22 faraway commented:
March 5th, 2010 at 8:43 am

I like wood flooring into the kitchen, it’s so cosy !

And, I really like your blog !!

Faraway, frenchy deco & fashion
23 Tucson Carpet commented:
March 5th, 2010 at 11:51 am

That has got to be one of the most beautiful kitchens I have ever seen! Wow! I have a friend who would just go nuts for that! It looks like her idea of a dream kitchen lol. I may have to show it to her :)
Thanks for sharing!
24 Stacey commented:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:00 pm

My husband and I just moved from a studio apartment that had hardwood floors throughout, and it was gorgeous, but it was time to upgrade to a bigger place. Our new place has ugly linoleum in the kitchen and carpet everywhere else, and it makes me miss the floors in the old place! It was such a wonderful experience to walk around barefoot on those slightly creaky wood floors :)
.-= Stacey´s last blog ..Anthropologie necklace giveaway at My Owl Barn =-.
25 Carolyn Harris commented:
April 17th, 2010 at 8:09 am

I am one step closer to my dream kitchen, It’s hard to visualise but the colour scheme is red shades and very striking your blog gets me very excited about it and I want it now. By the way your commentLuv gives a nofollow link – is this the way it is supposed to work.
.-= Carolyn Harris´s last blog ..kenwood spares updated Fri Apr 16 2010 10:00 pm CDT =-.
26 Courtney commented:
May 15th, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Any idea where that table in the first and second pictures came from?? I love it and I’m in the market for a dining room table!

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