I don’t normally prefer to play favorites, but when there’s one residence design selection I’d make repeatedly with no second of hesitation, it’s this: provincial stained hardwood flooring.
Traditional. Heat. Timeless. And completely underrated, if you happen to ask me.
After we first moved into our 1960 colonial residence, the unique hardwood flooring have been one of many first issues that stole my coronary heart. That they had that heat, medium brown tone that simply felt proper. Not too darkish. Not too mild. Not too orange or grey. Simply… proper.
Wooden stain coloration is a query I get requested a few LOT. And in relation to making large, costly choices, my reply will at all times be to decide on timeless. (Timelessness is one thing I undoubtedly handle in my DIY Decorator Faculty course.) Provincial stain is precisely that.
A Shade That Transcends Traits
From pickled and bleached finishes within the early 2000s to the cool-gray craze of the 2010s, I’ve seen all of it sweep via Pinterest like wildfire. However via all of it, our provincial-stained flooring have stood sturdy, by no means trying dated, by no means screaming for an replace.
It’s the Goldilocks of wooden stains: wealthy sufficient to provide depth and dimension, however smooth sufficient to let the pure grain shine via. It really works with almost each fashion—from fashionable farmhouse to conventional colonial (hello, us!) to coastal to transitional. It’s the form of coloration that performs nicely with all the pieces, which might be why we’ve by no means as soon as regretted maintaining it.
A Excellent Match—Even After All These Years
Seven years in the past, after we determined to refinish the hardwood flooring in Regan’s bed room, I crossed my fingers and stated: Please let this match.
Spoiler: It did.
Our contractor sanded all the pieces down and restained the flooring in Minwax Provincial wooden stain, and to this present day, you’ll by no means know that room wasn’t a part of the unique ground plan. It blends seamlessly with the remainder of the home and proves simply how constant and dependable this stain coloration actually is.
Matching previous wooden tones could be difficult—completely different species, growing old, solar publicity… it’s an entire factor. However provincial has that chameleon-like skill to drag all the pieces collectively. Heat oak from 1960? Recent boards from 2017? Doesn’t matter. It simply works.
What We Nonetheless Haven’t Accomplished (But!)
We nonetheless have one little secret hiding beneath the carpet in our visitor bed room: extra hardwood flooring, unique to the home.
We haven’t touched them (but), but it surely’s excessive on our challenge listing for later this yr. And also you higher imagine when the time comes, we’ll be pulling that carpet up and giving these flooring the identical provincial stain therapy.
Truthfully, I’m itching to get to it, as a result of I do know as soon as it’s executed, it’ll really feel like the ultimate puzzle piece snapping into place.
Why Provincial Stain Simply Works
Should you’re at present standing over a sea of stain samples together with your head spinning, let me make the case for a provincial ground actual fast:
- Timeless attraction – This isn’t a stylish stain you’ll remorse in 5 years. It has actual endurance.
- Versatile heat – It pairs superbly with whites, blacks, grays, pure wooden tones, and even pops of coloration. No clashing.
- Hides grime and mud – Darkish stains present each speck. Gentle stains can look washed out. Provincial is the proper center floor.
- Simpler to match – Whether or not you’re touching up previous flooring or mixing new and previous collectively, provincial makes the job a lot much less nerve-racking.
- Enhances the grain – It brings out the character of the wooden with out masking it, which is particularly beautiful with crimson or white oak.
Should you want a runner-up to provincial, Minwax Particular Walnut is available in at a really shut, barely lighter second for me by way of timelessness.
Last Ideas
Typically I scroll via flooring inspo and marvel if I ought to be tempted by these pale whitewashed planks or moody espresso hues. However then I look down at our flooring—some 60+ years previous and nonetheless going sturdy—and keep in mind: provincial stain was the appropriate name. It nonetheless is.
Should you’re selecting flooring to your residence or debating a refinish, take it from somebody who’s lived with provincial-stained flooring for years: you received’t remorse it. Some issues simply don’t exit of fashion.
Extra Wooden Stain Assets
