KITCHEN DESIGN
A durable and hardwearing floor is a practical necessity in any kitchen – and a beautiful material can set your design off to perfection
RECLAIMED BRICK
A kitchen floor must be durable and preferably easy to maintain, but your choice is not just about practicality – it can be a feature that enhances the style of your space, adding character and charm, as the original brick floor in this converted Suffolk barn suggests. ‘Farmhouse kitchens always work well with a combination of new and old or antique elements,’ says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL. If you are lucky enough to have an original brick floor, it may require cleaning and repair to bring it back to life: the surfaces can be porous, allowing a build up of dirt and stains, so, if in doubt, consult a specialist for advice. Or scour architectural salvage yards for reclaimed options.
WOOD
‘Parquet, herringbone and chevron floors are popular in kitchens as they add interest to otherwise straight lines, while streamlined planks add a sense of space in smaller areas,’ says Natalie Mudd, creative director of The Wood Flooring Co. Choose between solid and engineered wood flooring – an engineered wood floor has a top layer of solid wood bonded to a layer of strong plywood and a stabilising counter layer. ‘This layering balances out the tensions in the wood and prevents it from bending or swelling in areas of changing moisture, such as the kitchen,’ explains Natalie. Wood floors do require maintenance and may require re-sealing, re-lacquering or re-oiling.
TILE
Fired at very high temperatures, porcelain tiles are robust, non-porous, highly stain and scratch resistant, ‘making them an especially popular choice for kitchens,’ says Amanda Telford, creative manager, CTD Tiles. Thanks to advances in digital image technology, it is now possible to buy porcelain tiles that mimic the look of natural stone, wood, concrete, terrazzo to ultra-realistic effect, as well as in imaginative patterns that can add individuality to your design. They can also work well in indoor-outdoor kitchens, as the same design (usually in a thicker variant) can sometimes be used externally, but check suitability with your supplier before purchase.
NATURAL STONE
‘As it simply becomes better with age, n atural stone works well as a kitchen floor,’ says Hamish Smith, creative director of Artisans of Devizes and Ca’ Pietra. ‘If you are looking for something with timeless character, it is a great choice.’ As a natural material, each slab of limestone or marble is unique, adding to its beauty. However, stone is typically more porous than materials such as porcelain, and it’s recomme
