Practical advice on luxury wood flooring, designer furniture and creating spaces that last, from the team that has been sourcing exclusive wood products for nearly a decade.
Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood: Choosing the Right Luxury Floor
By ExquisiteSpace ·
Few decisions shape the feel of a room as much as the floor beneath it. When clients ask where to begin, the first conversation is almost always the same: engineered or solid hardwood? Both can look spectacular and both belong in high-end interiors, but they behave differently, and the right choice depends on where and how the floor will live.
Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of timber through its full thickness. Its greatest strength is longevity: a traditional ¾-inch solid board can be sanded and refinished several times over its life, which is why century-old solid floors are still in service today. The trade-off is movement. Solid wood expands and contracts with seasonal humidity, so it performs best in above-grade rooms with steady climate control and is generally not recommended directly over concrete slabs or radiant heating.
Engineered hardwood pairs a real hardwood wear layer with a cross-layered core of plywood or high-density fiberboard. Because the layers run in opposing directions, engineered boards resist cupping and gapping far better than solid wood. That stability makes extra-wide planks, long lengths and installations over concrete, in basements or above radiant heat practical. A quality engineered floor with a thick wear layer can still be refinished, just fewer times than solid.
For most luxury projects the deciding factors are plank width, subfloor and climate. If you dream of wide, long planks with a wire-brushed or sawn texture, engineered construction is usually the smarter path. If you are restoring a traditional home with a wood subfloor and want a floor that can be renewed for generations, solid is hard to beat. The Woodstar collection, for example, includes both engineered and solid wood flooring, so you can compare the two side by side before you commit.
Live-Edge Slab Tables: What to Know Before You Buy
By ExquisiteSpace ·
A live-edge table keeps the natural outer contour of the tree, the curve where bark once met wood, so no two are ever alike. That individuality is exactly why slab tables have become the centerpiece of so many dining rooms, boardrooms and restaurant floors.
Start with the species. Walnut is prized for its deep chocolate tones and dramatic figure; acacia offers warm, varied grain and good hardness; maple and ash read lighter and more contemporary. Knots, checks and color shifts are not defects. They are the character that makes a slab irreplaceable, which is why makers like Urban Hardwoods design each piece around the color, figure and shape of the individual slab.
Plan the size and base. Measure the room and leave roughly 36 inches of clearance between the table edge and walls or other furniture so chairs can slide out comfortably. Slabs are heavy, so the base must be built for the weight. Steel trestle and U-shaped bases are popular for their clean lines and stability, while a wood base can continue the natural look from top to floor.
Choose the finish. A matte finish, like the one on the live-edge acacia slab from From Chef to Table in our collection, highlights natural texture and hides everyday fingerprints, while a satin or gloss finish adds depth and makes the grain glow. Properly dried, finished and cared for, a quality slab table is a true heirloom.
How to Care for High-End Wood Floors Through Every Season
By ExquisiteSpace ·
A luxury wood floor is an investment that rewards a little routine attention. The good news is that caring for hardwood is simpler than most people think.
Clean gently and often. Sweep or vacuum with a soft-bristle attachment (no beater bar) to remove grit, which acts like sandpaper underfoot. Place mats at entrances and felt pads under furniture legs. For deeper cleaning, use a wood floor cleaner approved by your flooring manufacturer and a barely damp microfiber mop. Avoid wet mops and steam cleaners, because standing water and steam can damage the finish and swell the boards.
Manage humidity. Wood responds to moisture in the air. Many manufacturers recommend keeping indoor relative humidity roughly between 35% and 55%. Running a humidifier in dry winter months and air conditioning or a dehumidifier in humid summers helps prevent gaps, cupping and cracks.
Protect from sunlight. UV exposure gradually changes the color of wood; some species darken while others lighten. Rotate rugs and furniture occasionally and use window treatments in sun-filled rooms so the floor ages evenly.
Refresh before you refinish. Depending on the finish and foot traffic, a floor may benefit from a maintenance recoat every few years, before wear reaches the wood itself. Oil-finished floors are typically renewed with a maintenance oil. Always check your manufacturer’s care guidelines first, since the right product depends on the finish.
Designing Commercial and Hospitality Spaces with Wood
By ExquisiteSpace ·
In restaurants, hotels, bars and offices, materials tell guests who you are before anyone says a word. Wood brings warmth, acoustic softness and a sense of craftsmanship that stone and tile alone rarely achieve.
Durability comes first. Commercial floors see far more traffic than a home. Specify flooring with a hard-wearing finish rated for commercial use, and consider engineered construction for stability in large, open spaces where temperature and humidity fluctuate. Textured surfaces such as wire-brushed or hand-scraped planks are also more forgiving of daily scuffs.
Choose furniture that works as hard as it looks. Bar stools, benches and communal tables must be sturdy, comfortable and easy to clean. Pieces like the Beckerman Bar Stool from Board by Design or the Walnut Bench from Urban Hardwoods pair durable construction with a distinctive silhouette.
Create an experience. A game table such as District Mills’ Parsons Shuffleboard or Board by Design’s Bling Pong Table can turn a lounge, office break area or hotel lobby into a destination. Architectural finishes like Du Chateau’s wall coverings carry the wood story up the walls for a cohesive look.
Plan early. Custom flooring and handcrafted furniture can take longer to produce than off-the-shelf options, so bring material selections into the design process early to protect your opening date.
Plan Your Next Project with ExquisiteSpace
Ready to put these ideas to work? Browse our curated flooring and furniture collections or reach out for personal recommendations.
