Many homeowners are trying their hand at DIY installations when it comes to their new wood flooring. With the emergence of new technologies to make fitting even easier, there can sometimes be a stigma surrounding traditional fitting methods; especially when it comes to a flooring like herringbone parquet. We recently collaborated with Fran, from well-known DIY website Fall for DIY, who has laid a beautiful parquet floor in her bedroom. We spoke to Fran about the inspiration behind her bedroom, and how she found the experience of fitting the herringbone wood flooring herself.
What was the inspiration behind your bedroom makeover?
I wanted to create a calm and relaxing room, in a small space. This meant keeping the room uncluttered with beautiful decorative elements. I spent a lot of time browsing Pinterest and decided a wooden floor would add to this minimalist look.
How did your bedroom look before its transformation?
When we moved into our house it had been rented for years. The carpets were worn and dirty and the room needed a new coat of paint. It was a blank canvas for us to work with.
Have you always been into DIY?
Absolutely! I’ve always been into making with all kinds of materials. I love a new challenge and getting to work on my own home is a dream come true.
What made you choose herringbone parquet for your flooring?
I love the classic look of parquet. When I was younger I used to go to dance lessons in an old hall which had herringbone parquet and I’ve been a fan ever since!
How did you find the floor to fit?
It was a learning curve fitting the floor. But I went from knowing nothing at all about flooring to laying it myself (at 7 months pregnant!) in just a few weeks.
How did you prep for installing the parquet?
Our floorboards were uneven so we did need to lay a concrete leveller. We also left the parquet to settle in the room for a few weeks. I was itching to get started but it’s important to get the foundations right first.
Did you use a finishing oil?
The Osmo white oil is a gorgeous finish which keeps the light tones of the parquet prominent.
Would you recommend this flooring, and a DIY installation, to others?
I couldn’t be happier with the end result. I would recommend this to my friends if they were looking for a project. It’s not a quick and easy floor to lay but, it’s worth the effort.
If you’d like to know more about Fran’s experience, head to her website to see the Fall for DIY post on how she laid parquet flooring in her bedroom. If you don’t feel confident fitting your flooring yourself, read our guide on how to find a wood flooring fitter to pick up some tips on getting the best deal for you.
Fran used our Unfinished Solid Oak Parquet, and you can buy this flooring online now. Get in touch with a flooring expert by calling 03308 088777, or email [email protected] and a member of our team will get back to you.
