Intro to the world of exquisite herringbone kitchen parquetry

A herringbone floor is often mistaken for a chevron-patterned floor and vice versa. The arrow-like motif is very similar, but while the chevron motif is almost synonymous with the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century, the Herringbone’s roots can be traced back to 600BC. Initial herringbone flooring was made from stone and only became popular as a coveted wood flooring pattern during the 16th century in France.

The intricate wood floors now form part of parquetry, which is a mosaic of wood blocks arranged in a geometric motif. The beautiful design and craftsmanship of a parquetry floor can still be seen in older buildings throughout Europe. Its present-day appeal stems from the love of wood floors and the attention to detail that reminds of the quality of another, older world.

A solid wood floor is a beautiful element in any home, but a Herringbone floor is a dream feature that can be installed in every room in the home. Or you can make one room, like your kitchen, the focal of your home with exquisite herringbone parquetry.

Consider your Kitchen

Before you delve into the world of herringbone floors, you have to consider your kitchen basics. The size and layout will determine what type of floor you can install.

Size

The small floor area of galley kitchen means the installation can be cost-effective and it could create visual intrigue in the limited space. In a larger area, however, herringbone might lose it elegance and focal value. If you have a big kitchen, choose minimal furnishings to keep the wow-factor of the parquetry.

Household Needs

Homes that have larger families need kitchen floors that can withstand the heavy daily traffic. These floors need to be durable, but also not be too hard like brick or stone that create a colder room. Rather warm up your kitchen with a softer laminate or wood kitchen floor.

Style

The style of your home can determine whether a herringbone floor is well suited to your kitchen. Herringbone floors can complement any interior, but here are the interior styles best suited to the artisanal floor:

• A Bohemian style is that of a traveller, which is why the well-travelled parquetry floor suits its worldly aesthetic. Bohemian homes often have a variety of rugs on the floor; use rugs minimally as accent pieces only to showcase your fine new floor.

• Scandinavian interiors are sought-after because of their neutral and natural appeal. Most of these homes favour light wood floors and minimal furniture.

• French Country homes have both rustic and luxurious elements in their interiors, creating a beautiful balance between these two extremes. This style lends itself naturally to having hardwood or natural stone flooring.

Think of the finish

Herringbone designs can be created by using nearly any material, so you don’t have to commit to wood. Materials range from costly stone to affordable laminate, all that you have to keep in mind is your budget and how much maintenance you are prepared to commit to. Remember that whichever material you choose will require a seasoned contractor to do the installation.

• Hardwood is a popular choice, with lighter wood showing the herringbone design more prominently. However, it is often more pricey than regular solid wood floors because of the craftsmanship required.

• Laminate sheets with a predesigned herringbone motif are an affordable option that can have a relatively long lifespan.

• Brick is budget-friendly and is reminiscent of older red-bricked pathways in Europe that can give a home a lovely warm atmosphere.

• Stone or dark slate flooring can have a striking impact on a kitchen. They are expensive but durable and require nearly no effort.

Alternatives to a Floor

The herringbone motif is not restricted to floors. Beautiful countertops, tiled backsplashes, walls and even cabinet doors are all great surfaces for an impressive herringbone design. You need only decide which part of the kitchen you want to adorn in this timeless favourite.