Texture and Depth Are on the Rise in England

Distressed boards in rich, natural tones have been gaining popularity in the West Sussex area of England, according to Senior Flooring Specialist Ollie Wladon of Chichester, U.K.-based Black Duck Flooring Limited. “Right now, it’s all about distressed boards, particularly footworn—either in herringbone or plank—paired with dark oak finishes,” Wladon says. The trend started gaining momentum last summer, taking the place of herringbone with a border, as well as the long-running fad of gray-toned wood floors. “There’s a strong appreciation for timeless, high-quality finishes,” Wladon says. “It might not be the simplest to install, but once that final coat of maintenance oil is applied … the result speaks for itself.”­