When I first heard of parquet flooring I was in my 20's and I didn't know what it meant, a few years later it became a passion. In Europe, some people call a traditional wood floor parquet, but what really is a parquet floor?
Let's go back in time, where the first parquet floors created a sensation. Parquet flooring is called Parquetry, as a word, is derived from the French 'parqueterie'.
The laying of parquet flooring, an art which goes back some centuries and which was first used in France in 1684 in the Palace of Versailles. parquet flooring was prevalent when concrete and other hard floors were the norm. It was created by cutting small blocks of wood, usually of various colors and wood types, and then glueing them to a concrete floor in various geometric shapes to create a decorative pattern. The most popular design being the herringbone, which is still used commonly today.
Also, know the 2022 hardwood flooring trends
Parquet floors are actually making a comeback. But as with any trend that makes a comeback, it comes back bigger & better and parquet floors are no exceptions. These new styled parquet floors come with a high price tag. The prices range in the same price range as hardwood flooring. Installation can be higher due to the extra labor that comes with installing this flooring. whereas the more intricate patterns need to be installed by highly skilled tradesmen that are experienced in this type of flooring. Typically you will see these flooring in the higher priced homes, but they definitely add value to the home in addition to making a powerful design statement.
The most famous example of a parquet floor is in Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. When King Louis XIV installed this exceptional floor at Versailles – it became all the rage! The fashion became a universal trend.
Herringbone : The most popular parquet pattern
This is a classic laying pattern for parquet. The blocks are laid so that they inter-lock in a diagonal pattern, giving the room visual direction by drawing the eye in a particular way.
Most commonly, the points of a herringbone pattern floor are laid parallel to a room’s longest wall, or towards the window.
With a herringbone pattern, you can easily achieve a traditional classic look. Herringbone pattern woodblocks are generally laid in a single herringbone or a double herringbone style, where the two blocks are doubled up next to each other. These variations are both classic patterns.
If you’re looking to be more adventurous, you can always combine different species of wood, or even different finishes applied to the parquet blocks. An alternating half and half herringbone pattern can look simply stunning, especially in the right setting.
A COLLECTION TO OPEN THE WORLD OF PARQUET WOOD FLOORS.
Have a look below for helpful diagrams of different patterns, and some examples of parquet wood flooring patterns.
At Vogue Parquet, we are experts in parquet flooring, from manufacturing to the art of installation. As always we are here for you, please reach out to info@vogueparquet.com or call us at (786) 606-9301 for any questions or concerns you may have, feel free to share our blog on your social media.