Home Decor trends
Hickory hardwood floors: A classic beauty that endures

No other flooring option delivers the warmth, splendour and value of natural wood. Today there are countless colours available to choose from as well as different species, each with their unique characteristics. One species that has been growing in popularity in recent years for its rustic charm and ultra -- durability is hickory.

A true North American classic, hickory is a slow growing species resulting in some of the hardest, most durable flooring found anywhere. Hickory has been used for centuries by discerning homeowners looking for beauty, strength and a lasting impression.

According to designer Nancy Soccio of Dolce Design in Montreal, more and more consumers are looking for a rustic look from their flooring choices and have found durability, unique graining patterns and a wide range of colours with hickory wood floors.

"This species features an opulent appearance thanks to its pronounced contrasting shades and range of natural tones," she explained. "Hickory's rough, textured look harmonizes beautifully with rustic and modern decor alike. Its hardness and durability make it an excellent option for kitchens and high traffic areas."

The wood typically comes in many shades ranging from golden beige to full-bodied brown. In fact, one of North America's leading manufacturers, Mercier Wood Flooring, has launched a new series of hickory colours for this year.

Offered in its "Nature Collection", the new colours are named after nature wonders such as "Fundy", "Hampton", "Jasper", "Terra Nova", and "Tremblant", these darker two tone stain colours follow the trend towards pronounced colour variations in flooring that is now in vogue.

"Mercier's hickory line features absolutely stunning floors," Soccio added. "It's produced using methods that accentuate the intrinsic qualities of the wood, so that bold or subtle characters in the grain are revealed to create boards with rich and distinctly individual patterns. This line of rustic floors gives you the feeling of being at your favourite ski lodge or chalet."

Also in its Nature Collection Soccio added that Mercier has developed beautiful new rich stains for its Heritage product line called Graphite and Macchiato. "These two rich dark colours are sure to be popular choices for the dark wood floor enthusiasts," she added. The new colours are available in solid, engineered and LOC versions in varying widths. More information on the latest trends in wood flooring is available at www.mercierwoodflooring.com.