Choosing Hardwood Flooring
SMOKED FRENCH OAKThe Tuscany collection offers elegantly wire brushed French oak hardwood in a gorgeous modern color palette. The depth and richness of color is pronounced and made possible by a smoking and antiquing process. An unprecedented clarity to the natural wood grain is achieved through an 8 coats of super low gloss finish which also seals and protects. The Tuscany collection features longer and wider planks to accentuate the colors and natural beauty of wood.
Why am I choosing French Oak? French oak has a smaller grain pattern. It is stronger than American red or white oak. It is less likely to expand and contract noticeably which is a nice trait for flooring to have, especially living in humid, coastal Virginia. The boards in the Tuscany collection come in 7.5″ x 75″ lengths. They are 1/2″ thick, with rolled edges and ends, are wire brushed, smoked and antiqued. To top it off, they have a 50 year residential warranty! The flooring is ideal for high traffic, kids and pets, all of which we certainly have.
Two colors that immediately catch my eye are Nola and Fondi. It is important to find a flooring option that will compliment and blend beautifully with our existing weathered oak stained hardwood flooring on our first floor. The stain colors have a lighter, coastal style that is reminiscent of bleached driftwood and sandy shorelines. 
Free Hardwood Flooring Samples
I ordered some free samples and they arrived so quickly! My little furry helpers have their own opinions on which samples they like! The 3 on the left are from the Tuscany by Palmetto Road collection (French oak) and the 2 on the far right are from the Windsor Park by Azalea Lane collection (hickory).
Willow says she prefers the lighter Nola flooring and Aspen prefers the Fondi.
WATCH MY VIDEO BELOW TO SEE THE DESIGN PROCESS!
Now commences the process of deciding upon a color. Welcome to the battle of the sexes! It’s no surprise that I am drawn to the lighter, airy, and more natural wood tones, whereas my husband gravitates toward darker, richer, more classic wood tones. Decisions, decisions! Thankfully, Twenty & Oak makes the decision process easier with an awesome feature where you can easily order 3 flooring samples for FREE with the code “THREEFORFREE”.
But what if you need more than 3 samples? I have you covered! Twenty & Oak is offering all Sand & Sisal friends a SPECIAL OFFER! You can receive up to 6 FREE FLOORING SAMPLES from any collection you choose!
Click the link above or the photo below to get yours now!
Visualizing the Space with Design Boards
I am a visual person, and creating room mood boards help me solidify design decisions. We will be replacing flooring in 6 bedrooms overall. Below are two mock-ups of my master bedroom and my son’s room showing how the flooring choices might look in the rooms. The master bedroom design board below features the Tuscany Fondi flooring by Palmetto Road.
In addition, my son’s modern coastal bedroom design board features the Tuscany Nola flooring by Palmetto Road.
I love both but it’s always best to see the flooring on a larger sample board before making such an important decision.
My next step is to visit one of the local Twenty & Oak retailers. Twenty & Oak’s customer service department is amazing! They will email you local retailer information of where you can see and purchase the flooring. They also follow up with a helpful and friendly phone call to answer any questions. The level of communication and service they offer is impressive.
You can do the same! Click HERE to find a Twenty & Oak retailer near you.
Next week come along with me to the store and help me decide which flooring to choose! Sound like fun?
Which flooring sample do you like so far? Let me know in the comments below! Also don’t forget to get your 6 free flooring samples!
I vote for Fondi after seeing it on the mood boards. I particularly like the way it looks with the headboard in your Master Bedroom.
I need to pick flooring for the house, too. We have ruled out hardwood because of pet damage issues and past water problems that we worry about reoccurring.
My husband wants porcelain. I’m concerned about the hardness and grout. I’ve seen and read about some top-of-the-line luxury vinyl. What are your thoughts?.
Thanks for weighing in Lenora! I appreciate it!
I think luxury vinyl is a smart choice too and it comes in so many gorgeous options! It’s pretty indestructible. Twenty & Oak carries luxury vinyl and also waterproof hardwood. Here is the direct link to their luxury vinyl if you’re interested. https://twentyandoak.com/flooring-types/vinyl-plank-tile-flooring
And if you see something you like, feel free to get your 6 free samples for all my readers! Just use the promo code: SAND or click on the free sample button on the blog post.
Have a great day!
KIM
Hi! I got a big kick out of seeing the photo with one of your fur babies. Your fur babies would be the main reason or consideration for me. I would go with the Nola floor boards although the Fondi is a great choice to go with your decor.
Light floors definitely help hide the hair until of course they start gathering into floor bunnies which just thinking about makes me freak out. We have two blonde boys and now they are shedding like crazy for winter.
We have light hardwood flooring and in the kitchen a Duratile called Tiger Eye which really hides any messes until you can clean it up.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of the story stay safe!
Hi Nancy!
Oh I hear you about the fur bunnies…. mine are EVERYWHERE! I have to vacuum every other day. I’ve never seen shedding this crazy! I need to see the bigger sample boards at the showroom before I decide for sure. Thanks for weighing in! I appreciate it!
Have a lovely week,
KIM
Love the white coastal bedroom furniture! Who is the manufacturer? Or what store did you purchase it thru? Thank you
Thank you! All of the furniture in that room is from the Hemnes collection from IKEA. It’s solid pine and we’ve been very happy with it all.
I vote for Fondi, as well. I know that very light flooring is really “in” right now, but I think the Fondi will be timeless. Plus, it reminds me of driftwood on the beach.
Is your master bedroom chandelier from Serena and Lily? It’s stunning!
Thank you Michelle!
The chandelier is just on my design board. It is from Wayfair (so much more affordable). I would love to have one in my room but my husband won’t get rid of the ceiling fans. (One day I’ll get my chandy!!!)
Hello! Could you share where those black and white beach theme photos are from in the Modern design board? I love that design and want to duplicate it!
Hi Amanda!
Thank you so very much! Those photos in the design board are from PB Teen. They are crazy expensive though (like $400+ each). I replicated the look in my son’s room with photos of him and his friends surfing instead! Here is the link, you can see them here: https://www.sandandsisal.com/2020/05/modern-coastal-bedroom.html
I love your blog. In your kitchen remodel after the dishwasher flood there was a beautiful painting of a white egret in room next to kitchen.. I love that painting can you share where you got it. Thanks
Awww Thank you so very much! That painting is from Ballard Designs and they still carry it in several different sizes.