From Orange to Modern: Blackbutt Limewashing - Sorrento

Is your Blackbutt timber flooring showing its age with an undesirable orange or reddish hue? Discover how MyFlooring transformed a Melbourne home's Blackbutt floors from dated to dazzling. We'll show you how our expert sanding and direct limewash timber floors application created a beautiful, modern "oaky" brown finish, proving you don't always need bleaching to achieve stunning results.

The Original Blackbutt: A Case of the "Orange Glow"

Blackbutt timber is a beloved choice for flooring in Australian homes, prized for its durability and natural beauty. While Blackbutt can sometimes appear quite dark, in this particular Melbourne home, the timber itself was relatively light.

The orange and reddish tones the client wanted to eliminate weren't inherent to the wood, but rather a common side effect of an older, amber-tinted finish that had been applied years ago. It's a look many homeowners are now moving away from, seeking a fresher, more contemporary aesthetic.

Crafting the Vision: Samples That Speak Volumes

Understanding a client's vision is paramount. Before embarking on the full project, our MyFlooring team performed our magic on a small, discreet section of the Blackbutt floor. This critical step involved sanding down a sample area and then applying various limewash finish to hardwood options.

This allowed the client to see firsthand how different applications would interact with their specific timber. Out of a few carefully crafted samples, the client gravitated towards the "middle" option. It was a perfect blend – a modern, rich brown and oaky tone that elegantly banished the old orange, without veering into overly white territory. This precise sampling process ensured their complete confidence in the chosen direction.

The Transformation Begins: Expert Sanding and Direct Liming

With the client's chosen aesthetic firmly in mind, our meticulous process began. The sanding was good, removing every trace of that old, discoloured finish and preparing the Blackbutt for its new life. Unlike some darker timbers where bleaching is essential, this Blackbutt didn't require it, as the desired lightening wood floors effect came purely from addressing the old finish and applying the new tone.

The true artistry came with the application of the liming treatment. This wasn't just a surface coat; our liming was applied directly into the timber, allowing the wood to absorb the pigment deeply. This method is key to achieving that desirable, natural, modern and brown and oaky look, ensuring the colour is integral to the timber, not just sitting on top. This technique also contributes to a subtle whitewash flooring effects, without being overtly white, giving it that sought-after contemporary appeal.

The Grand Reveal: A Modern Scandinavian Flair

The outcome was truly remarkable. The Blackbutt floor, once casting an outdated orange glow, was utterly transformed. It now boasted a sophisticated, modern "oaky" brown, perfectly aligning with the client's desire for a fresh, updated interior.

The professional whitewash timber treatment (or rather, limewash in this case) delivered a look that often evokes an achieving a modern Scandinavian floor aesthetic, bringing a sense of calm and contemporary elegance to the home. To protect this stunning new finish and ensure its longevity, we applied multiple coats of water-based polyurethane. This top-tier sealant not only offers exceptional durability but is also known for being low-odour, making the renovation process more pleasant for homeowners.

Left: Before / Right: After

Ready to Update Your Timber Floors?

If your Blackbutt or other timber floors are looking a little tired, or if you're battling the "orange glow" of an old finish, MyFlooring can help. We specialise in transforming existing timber floors into stunning, modern statements that perfectly match your vision.

Don't live with dated floors any longer. Contact us today via phone or email, or get a free, no-obligation quote directly through our website to discuss how we can revitalise your timber flooring!