Stepping inside six Australian kitchens, we see how European oak parquetry can be used to express a range of design intents.
European oak has long held its place as a timeless, natural and durable choice for flooring, especially when it comes to the kitchen – one of the hardest-working spaces in the home.
Moving away from traditional boards, parquetry is an age-old type of timber flooring first recorded in the Palace of Versailles, France. Parquetry is most commonly seen in herringbone or chevron patterning, synonymous with European refinement.
Engineered oak parquetry assures stability and longevity, particularly in varying climates. Unlike other engineered timbers, offers three layers of solid European oak flooring in chevron and herringbone format. In this feature, we enter six kitchens underpinned by engineered oak parquetry to see how it meets contrasting aesthetics and design demands.
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Malvern Residence II by Studio Tate
Elegant echos of the past are felt through classic materials and finishes in the. The home’s kitchen makes the loudest statement, featuring an over-scaled island with Esmeralda quartzite benchtop, dark sage cabinetry and a bar with brass mesh inlays. laid in a chevron pattern reiterate the importance of timeless materials in articulating a stately atmosphere.
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Photography by
Watson House by Duet
Sydney studio Duet were asked to redesign a Federation-era home – – to align with the lifestyle of a young family. The interiors needed to age gracefully with the children, so Duet opted for a monochrome palette, which acts as a backdrop for colour in the home; “from the outdoors, the kids, the relationships and the guests,” Duet director Shannon Shlom says. The kitchen features shiny black cabinetry on one side and white profile cabinetry on the other. lines the kitchen floors, complementing the space’s sophisticated details with its traditional oak colour and texture.
Mirror Image by Smac Studio
Smac Studio named their latest residential project ‘’ for two reasons: a duplex mirroring the home with which it shares a dividing wall and the mirrors used to redistribute light throughout. Floor-to-ceiling wall joinery on one side of the kitchen features mirrors that create the illusion of more space. The mirrors also reflect the kitchen’s striking material palette: a green stone island, burnished bronze rangehood, and . “We wanted the home to feel slightly European,” Smac Studio architect Shona McElroy says, making the flooring’s pewter grey and warm tones and patterning an obvious choice.
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The International by Carr
is marked by the Melbourne design firm’s signature sense of symmetry and order. Located in Melbourne’s Brighton, the design team has optimised the kitchen’s layout for ease of movement and flow. Minimalism is articulated through the continuous use of oak – from the custom kitchen cabinetry to the chevron floors. The restrained material palette, enhanced by soft grey natural stone, derives richness from subtle tactility.
Casa Atrio by Biasol
saw the revival of a Victorian-era home in Melbourne through an approach that draws inspiration from the classic Parisian apartment. Parisian interior details are apparent throughout; wall panelling creates depth and dimension in the narrow space, classic marble in the waterfall kitchen island and the chevron oak flooring. feature in the kitchen and all connecting spaces, including the stairs, with solid stair nosings for a seamless transition.
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Photography by
Surry Hills Penthouse by Alexandra Brown
Designer Alexandra Brown was asked to take cues from the New York-style penthouse for this home in . The kitchen was designed as the meeting space between the parent’s retreat and the area for the couple’s two adult children. It also had to be carefully delineated between the living areas, bar and dining area in the large open plan space. While connect the open-plan space, the statement jade Smeraldo marble and smoked oak veneer island allow for the kitchen to take centre stage – meeting the brief for a kitchen “like no other”.
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