Yes! It’s red oak!
Do you need some help from a design and hardwood floor pro? Book a virtual design consult with us here!
We’re often asked to perform magic. It seems many homeowners with existing red oak hardwood floors would prefer to go lighter and achieve a “white oak look” instead of the typical red oak look which tends to read orange. We’ve mixed and experimented and mixed and experimented some more. We’ve developed a special stain mixture that takes a lot of the red and pink out of red oak floors. What’s left is an updated + fresh finished look.
Pictured above is a red oak hardwood floor that has been sanded down raw. The natural beauty is coming through.
Another red oak floor is pictured above. It’s amazing what a difference is made just by sanding!
This is one of our favorite past projects. We sanded that orange-y red oak floor down (above and below) and the result was dramatic!
Next we tested stain samples. We do this on every project where we’re refinishing floors. We always test stain samples right there on the freshly sanded floors and have the homeowners choose their favorite.
We were so happy with how these floors turned out. We were able to say goodbye to those dated orange floors and hello to clean + modern.
Photo by: Rebecca May
Photo by: Michelle Rhodes
This 1960s-era home was built during a time when red oak was all the rage (in fact, it’s still used in many homes today). The homeowner wanted to bring it into the current century with a cleaner and more modern design scheme. We loved how these floors turned out and we’re happy with how they helped the homeowner bring his vision to life.
Ahhh, The Modern Memaw Project pictured above and below was another one for the books! These very old red oak hardwood floors had a lot of life left in them. They just needed a slight update! Enter: our magical stain mixture for creating the “white oak look” on red oak floors. No, we can’t get all of the red out. You never will be able to do that, no matter what stain combo you use. But we’ve crafted a special combo that eliminates a great deal of the red and pink. (We offer virtual consults to share that exact stain combination for homeowners and designers coast-to-coast. We can also assist you by providing further design expertise during our one-on-one FaceTime consults. You can book a virtual design consult here!) The Modern Memaw project was a fun one because this sad, dated ranch (Memaw’s house) became an ultra hip and on-trend abode for its new owners. As you see, the floors were a crucial design element in that transformation.
The Modern Memaw with her floors freshly sanded. Wow, what a difference!
Photo by: Emily Rose Photo
The Modern Memaw all dressed up and ready to go. Those floors stole the show.
Photo by: Emily Rose Photo
white oak with natural finish (left) + red oak with our special mix (right)
Above and below are photos of another exciting transformation from dated + dark red oak to light + bright red oak (with our special stain mix!). This homeowner had a vision for opening up this small ranch home and creating an airy aesthetic. The floors were an important piece of the design puzzle.
Are you working on a home renovation and in need of help with stain choices? Would you like to know our custom stain mix for achieving that lighter, brighter look with red oak? Head over to our sister site here to sign up for a virtual design call! We’d love to help you!
