December 6th, 2007
Laid to Rest
It’s done! I had nightmares that something would go horribly wrong and my million dollar cork floor would get ruined somehow. Well, it didn’t REALLY cost a million dollars, but it definitely wasn’t cheap and we had another big chunk invested in labor and materials, AND there have been quite a few BIG things going awry lately, BUT I think we are safe. Knock wood.
Once we got the whole assembly line thing down we were cranking out 35 tiles (on a good day). Richard and Michelle from our staff are pulling out the last pieces of the pattern to ready them for the final stenciled layer.
Here the trusty installers are pressing the last tiles into place. Good thing THEY were good as we used all 120 tiles that we made. Phew!
If you’ve never walked on a cork floor, let me tell you it’s heaven. Especially when all your other floors are concrete. It feels like you just put brand new gel inserts in your shoes! I’m so in love, I’ve ordered some more for my home office floor where I think I will do a very large “stained-in-place” meandering cherry blossom branch. Then we will see how it holds up to my greyhound’s toenails.
Copyright © Designamour
December 6th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Oh Melanie! That is outstanding. I hope someday I’ll meet a client that wants to do something on cork. Just gorgeous!
December 7th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Melanie, this is divine!!! And I know what you mean about walking on cork. It feels like marshmellows under foot.
Congrats on the beautiful install.
December 9th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I just found your blog and LOVE your stenciled floors! Beautiful designs.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Oh my gosh! How can that be just plain old cork?? It’s really amazing what you have envisioned and created…what a talented bunch of hands all working towards a wonderful goal….WOW
December 11th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Melanie, as always you are so visionary, I love, love love cork, and your take on this is divine! Fabulous work! Arlene
December 11th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Thank you all for the nice comments! I had never seen this done, so that’s all the inspiration I need. I love the idea of another paintable, customizable surface for people. I’ve ordered more unfinished cork tiles for my home office so there is another one on the way.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Melanie, that is truely spectacular!!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Absolutely beautiful job Melanie. What product did you use in the creation of these lovely floors??
Jan
January 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I wanted to say that this floor is truly awesome….I want one for myself….Nice work.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Thanks so much! The product that I used for the coloration was Stain and Seal-a water-based gel stain designed for wood surfaces. It worked fabulously on the cork as well!
August 9th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
It was such a pleasure to see your use of cork. We have been in the cork flooring business for 37 years and have always believed it to be a fantastic ‘green’ product worthy of more attention! And the benefits are more than just comfort… it has great acoustic properties, insulation and warmth. What an inspiration you are!
Toni Hadlee
Cork Concepts
August 10th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Thank you Toni!
October 25th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Hello,
This is amazing! My husband and I want to do it in our hallway. Can you give specific directions? Where did you get the stencil? What process? If you have time, it would mean so much. Thanks!
Mary Jane
October 26th, 2009 at 9:42 am
[...] tiles in the coffee bar area. One of the benefits of staining pattern on unfinished cork tiles (as we did also in our showroom spaces at Modello Designs) is that you can do the pattern work prior to installation-much easier than working down on the [...]
December 1st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Dear Madam,
We are presently planning a big exhibition in Milan, and are interested in using cork tiles. <your treatment is absolutely fascinating. can we source your stencils anywhere in Europe?
regards
charles