Hardwood Floors June/July 2025

CATEGORY: Members’ Choice

WOOD FLOOR OF THE YEAR

MEMBERS' CHOICE: GRAIN DESIGN FLOORING

GENIUS GEOMETRIC (Continued)

Grain Design Flooring in Florence, Kentucky, has secured the 2025 NWFA Wood Floor of the Year Members’ Choice award with a geometric design that impressed the industry. A local interior design company enlisted the firm to transform a Cincinnati, Ohio, home, a project others had hesitated to undertake due to its complexity. Covering 915 square feet across the main living area, foyer, and half bath, the floor features prefinished white oak tiles from Oscar Ono’s Opus collection, inspired by ancient mosaics and 19th-century Parisian block roads, resulting in what the homeowners called a room-size wooden jigsaw puzzle.

The installation required careful precision. The team joined two types of interlocking panels with biscuits, taping them into large panels to streamline the intricate alternating pattern, while using single pieces around obstacles and borders for accuracy. A dramatic curved radius in the foyer sweeps around the basement stairs, enhancing the design’s intricacy. During seven days and 142 man-hours, the team laid 700 tiles, gluing them onto plywood and extending the pattern to the treads of a spiral staircase, a task simplified by templating. As the team progressed, they found their rhythm, making the installation more manageable and highlighting their expertise. The finished floor, a seamless blend of artistry and execution, resonated deeply with NWFA members, who voted it their favorite, reflecting the company’s ability to turn challenges into a cohesive and visually compelling design.

50 hardwood floors hardwoodfloorsmag.com