Bringing nature indoors with a gorgeous wooden floor

Winter is a time that I love going for walks with the family in the countryside, when you can see the rugged landscape, the stark branches of the trees and feel the chill against your cheeks. The woodland is especially a favourite place and we also have a forest nearby so can walk from dense pine trees to the the canopy of wintry branches, the spectral bark of the silver birch, the deep warm browns of the gnarled tree trunks of English oak and the paler browns of Alder or the layer of rich earthy pine cones on the floor - a treasure we like to collect and bring into our home.  In fact, a trip out into nature at any time of year is one where we pick up cones, leaves, seed pods, mossy sticks and bundles of twigs and use them in our home decoration. But at this festive time it seems to unearth a natural instinct, following on from ancestors bringing evergreens in like holly and mistletoe to celebrate life and light in the long winter. It's a natural desire in us to feel close to nature, no matter if you live in the city centre or a bustling town and having that connection in our homes is both calming and comfortable.

Pine cones are my ultimate winter and Christmas decoration, abundant and free on the woodland floor and can be used in so many displays. Simply pile them into a hurricane jar with fairy lights and you have a glowing focal point for a room or use in containers and add candles or greenery. A sprinkle of glitter too and tying together to make garlands or adding to swags on staircases and around doors. This year I am going to try and make some firelighters with the store of pine cones that I have and then keep them by the woodburner for getting the fire going on those frosty and hopefully snowy mornings. 

Image source: Vibeke Design

I love the house feeling natural, the tones make me feel at ease and blend well together beautifully which is why I have a wooden floor, to bring the natural environment indoors. A wooden floor is a great investment, they look stylish and are extremely practical as I have discovered. 

Woodpecker Flooring are a family run business that offer a wide variety of wooden flooring options for your home and know how important getting that natural organic feel in your home is by carefully selecting trees and the methods of crafting the timber into your finished flooring for quality and longevity. The wood is from sources approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC ) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forests (PEFC) certifications so you can be assured that your flooring is environmentally friendly. 

Woodpecker Flooring have different options - solid wood flooring, engineered wood, laminate and bamboo. There are advantages to each one depending upon your circumstances; for instance engineered wood is a better option where you have underfloor heating as the wood can cope better with the expansion and contraction. 

My favourite is solid wood, I love the feel on bare-feet in the morning which is surprisingly warm. You will be spoilt for choice by the options from Woodpecker Flooring; whitewashed oak, walnut and antique oak to name a few. A range of wood flooring from a light to a dark finish that will fit in with your style. The York range is one that reflects the landscape of the North York Moors with woodland walks and bridges over streams - that is certainly how I want my home to feel! 

Another element to bringing the outdoors in, is the flexibility of natural materials. The grain of wood flooring is unique, the sight of it feels so textural, just as you often can't resist touching the bark of trees as you pass by, it is lovely to feel the wood flooring.  

                                  

Wood flooring is so practical and as a mum of a boisterous boy and two hairy dogs, I can say that it makes tidying and cleaning so much easier than with carpet. I have minimum worry over spills and accidents as its all cleared up easily in moments with no lingering stains or smells. It's a really hygenic solution for family living that will stand up to hard wear and last the years - wooden floors from Woodpecker have a 25 year guarantee. 

My wooden floor 

Woodpecker Flooring have a range called Barafundle which made me smile as I know Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire well, a beautiful scenic area of natural beauty and the oak flooring has that same ambiance. A very rustic looking floor that has a sheen applied to it giving a minimalistic look. With so many other options and finishes to choose from I was pleased to find an extremely useful guide from Woodpecker Flooring on choosing a wood floor - it's a great reference for helping you select your flooring.  

Wooden floors suit all homes from coastal cottages to an urban semi-detached and give such great impact when running through the ground floor of a home for a seemless look - that's one of the main appeals of it for me. My house is not big at all and the wooden floor downstairs makes it feel like a much larger space. There are so many diferent tones available so suit your home, perhaps the whitened oak of Goodwich Parquet Flooring for a small room to add as much light as possible, with the beautiful geometric patterns of parquet adding interest and character. Alternatively the darker hue of Salcombe Shadow Oak will bring warmth and depth to a room. Sophisticated with minimalistic design furniture and a simple neutral colour palette, choose feature pieces like a light coloured armchair or weathered wood furniture as a contrast. 

Accessorising wooden flooring is super easy too and it can be vamped up for a luxe feel or pared down for rustic loveliness as it is so versatile. In winter it can be made extra cosy with a fluffy rug and some twinkly fairy lights. Perhaps even a wood feel candle like the one I've found below and even some handmade wooden Christmas tree decorations. Alternatively glam up with sequined cushions, opulent shimmering wallpaper and rich fabrics as a contrast with the wood. Metals combined with wood are a chic and modern scheme, the popular copper or rose-gold terraniums against the simplicity of a wood floor give an urban feel. Layering up wood flooring with different shades of wood furniture and accessories gives a country, cosy style that has hints of Danish hygge or Scandi chic. 

After having wooden flooring for some years and loving how inviting a wood floor is, I will always want it for my home. I can change the look of a room easily so when new seasonal home fashions are available, I can readily take them on board as wooden flooring is so versatile and easy to coordinate with.

Have you considered wooden flooring or have it already, I'd love to hear? 

*Collaborative post