More Is More, On The Floor!

Lately I have noticed a revival of patterned floors in interiors, and I am here for it! Over the past ten years in Australia, we’ve been drawn to quite plain blonde timber, or dark timber floors that lean towards a Scandinavian aesthetic. But more recently, we seem to be moving away from minimalist spaces and into more expressive and individual designs. And that includes the floor!

Don’t get me wrong, perfectly smooth wood or concrete floors will never go out of style… but it’s also well worth exploring different flooring materials, to bring more variety into the home, and inject real personality into any space.

We’re now open to something more textured and characterful on the floor. Using a patterned floor can instantly conjure an atmosphere; the rustic handmade terracotta tiles of a charming country homestead, to the romance of an Italian loggia with a well-worn checkerboard marble tile. A flooring selection alone can evoke any feeling that you want to in a space.

Of course, patterned floors are anything but new. From the mosaics of ancient Mesopotamia to the oak Parquet de Versailles; we’ve long held traditions of embellishing the floor beneath us. But, we must ensure we select a floor that is not just #trending in this moment – flooring is a permanent element in an interior, and not something that is quick to swap out.

Flooring can have a huge impact the way a space looks and feels, but it also has an important function. It needs to be durable, and suit the usage of the room and the lifestyle of the occupants, so material selection is key.

But don’t be dissuaded! If you’re looking to create more than just a beautiful space, but create an atmosphere too – then injecting some character into the floor is a guaranteed way to do it!

This home in Melbourne utilises distinctive timber blocks on the floor, for a tile-like effect. Architecture – Bayley Ward, interiors and styling – Larritt-Evans, Photo – Eve Wilson.

Subiaco House by Vokes & Peters. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Byron Bay House by Vokes & Peters. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Subiaco House by Vokes & Peters. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Sarah Ellison’s collection with Teranova Tiles. Photo –Dave Wheeler.

Distinctive patterned tiles at Slow Beam by Hearth Studio. Photo – Lauren Bamford.

The Belmont House by Kennedy Nolan. Photo – Derek Swalwell.

Project by Joanna Lavén, a Swedish designer that embraces pattern in her work. She designed a range of products for Vanitas, including these sublime patterned floors. These sophisticated natural stone designs will sway over those a little afraid of pattern. Photo – Johannes Lindqvist

Is there a more classic floor than the black and white check? This timeless pattern is contantly re-energised in this kitchen by F3 Studio. Used against concrete, timber and black stone, it delivers the perfect combination of ‘timeless’ and ‘now’. Photo – Damien Kook.

Custom terrazzo flooring on show in the new Jardan Perth Showroom designed by IF Architecture. Photo – courtesy of Jardan.

Home of David Humphries. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Incredible custom terrazzo is the defining feature of this warehouse home in Sydney, belonging to artist David Humphries. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.

For a more accessible option than custom terrazzo flooring, consider the variety of polished concrete floors now available. In this West Brunswick House by Taylor Knights architects, polished concrete flooring has been tinted green, with black and white flecks, to lend character to this interior and give the appearance of terrazzo. Photo – Tom Blachford. Styling – Ruth Welsby.

In this West Brunswick House by Taylor Knights architects, polished concrete flooring has been tinted green, with black and white flecks, to lend character to this interior and give the appearance of terrazzo. Photo – Tom Blachford. Styling – Ruth Welsby.

The incredible large-scale custom terrazzo flooring in this apartment in Lithuania by DO Architects features marble, granite & travertine. Photo – Norbert Tukaj.

A custom terrazzo flooring plate sits directly beneath the fireplace in the stunning Whitlam Place apartments in Fitzroy by Freadman White and Marcello Donati (aka Anon Studio). Photo – Tom Ross. Styling – Annie Portelli.

Doherty Design Studio’s Malvern Residence 2 uses terrazzo tiles on the floor in the main entry hall and through to the family rooms, with unexpected shapes breaking up the tiling layout. Photo – Derek Swalwell..

Portsea House by Studio Esteta. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Textural brick and terracotta floors in the incredible home of Emma Lane in the Byron Bay hinterland. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.