Project Feature: Baldivis Residence 2.0

Premium European Oak stands out among hardwood flooring options due to its unique knots and natural characteristics. This coveted material is favoured by architects worldwide for its warm and tactile aesthetic, which adds an elegant touch to any space, whether a period home or a contemporary residence.

For this Baldivis residence, Signature Oak Range in Adirondack was the ideal floorboard for creating a modern home in a rural setting. “It’s a colour that goes with everything and brings a country feel to any space,” says Russell McAinsh, director from Touch of Class Flooring. “It’s an incredibly popular choice, especially with people looking for a Hamptons look or as a board that works with different types of furniture.”

The new single-story home is located on an elevated rural block with a view of a valley. As you enter from the front, it steps up to its various living spaces. The floorboards are generously wide at 190cm, which allowed Russell and his team to create a floor with minimal joins. The end result was so flawless that it was awarded the Pre-Finished Stair of the Year 2024 by The Australasian Timber Floor Association, but it was not a straightforward job. The front entrance features micro levels and illuminated square steps and nearby, a spiralling wine cellar.

"The entry steps had LED details in the square, and my installer Ben had to build each step from scratch to allow the LEDs to hide out of sight," says Russell, who worked closely with the owner, also the home builder. "He was very specific about negative detail throughout, and I didn’t think we could do it because, unlike solid timber, it is very difficult to achieve curves with an engineered floor," he says. "It took time and patience to create those curves because you have to get the veneer thickness down very thin to the point it is wafer thin enough to bend without breaking it. Luckily, it worked.”

In the heart of the living room lies a stunning wine cellar, a cylindrical storage space accessed through a discreet glass-hinged door. "It's a circular construction, with rows of beautifully illuminated wine storage, all reachable via a steep spiral staircase," explains Russell. "Every step was crafted and built by Ben. It took him an entire week, and he did an outstanding job.”

Russell believes that the high quality of these boards enhances the overall beauty and timelessness of the home. "These boards are exceptional, and you truly appreciate their quality when working with them and assembling everything," he explains. They are perfectly straight with a high-quality tongue and groove that ensures a very tight fit. It's an excellent option for any home.”