Hardwood Floors December 2025/January 2026

J.L. Vivash Custom Wood Floors Ltd. Paris, Ontario, Canada

CATEGORY DETAILS: Entries in this category include any hand-cut circular shape within a flooring system, such as circles, ovals, curves, or bent material. INSTALLATION METHOD: Nail Down FLOORING TYPE: Engineered FLOORING FINISH: Ciranova Reactive Pretone, Loba Impact Oil FLOORING SHEEN: Matte SPECIES: North American White Oak PATTERN: Chevron in hallways FEATURED CATEGORY BEST IN CIRCLES/ CURVES/BENT WOOD

“The rotunda area was one of the main features of the home. From the outside, it looks like a turret, and they wanted to do something unique and special in the space,” explains Jason Vivash. “I spoke with the home builder, and we came up with the idea of a curved pattern and curved border, along with inlays.” The company achieved this vision by installing boards in four quadrants, using a circle jig to cut segmented curved borders that encase a chevron design, accented by stainless steel inlays chosen over brass for a contemporary look. “Stainless steel really matched the color we wanted, but this was the first time we have ever attempted laying it in a floor,” explains Vivash. “This ended up being a challenge because stainless steel is harder than brass, making it much more difficult to bend and to sand.” Functionality also played a key role in the floor’s design. A removable center section, equipped with an electrical outlet in the center of the medallion, allows the space to accommodate a Christmas tree, reflecting the client’s appreciation for the holiday season. The project presented several additional challenges, including achieving a light gray tone through a custom mix of reactive stains and natural white oil to complement the steel. The rotunda’s imperfect symmetry also required careful adjustments to align the borders with walls and baseboards.

“The lengths of the walls were not as perfect as I would have liked them to be, which makes creating the border difficult,” says Vivash. “Vents also were not symmetrical, which became a challenge.” After fine sanding and wire-brushing, the team applied a custom Ciranova Pretone mix followed by two coats of Loba Impact Oil in a transparent and white blend, ensuring a seamless finish. The result is a refined rotunda that enhances the home’s aesthetic, showcasing the company’s ability to navigate technical and design complexities with precision. This project stands

with a 14-inch border and 1/4” stainless steel inlay; segmented curved border in the rotunda with curved metal inlay MIXED MEDIA: Stainless steel 1/4” inlays in the border, marble medallion SQUARE FEET: 4,500

as a testament to the artistry achievable in wood flooring.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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