From Red to Refined: A Red Gum Floor's Neutral Transformation

See how MyFlooring transformed a Red Gum floor in Glen Iris by bleaching dark timber floors lighter and finishing with Rubio Monocoat for a stunning, neutral look. Discover our wood floor lightening treatment and learn how to bleach hardwood floors for a clean, natural aesthetic.

At MyFlooring, we absolutely love diving into projects that truly transform a space. Recently, we had one of those incredibly satisfying jobs right here in Glen Iris. The star of the show? A gorgeous, solid Red Gum timber floor.

Now, Red Gum is undeniably beautiful, with its rich, fiery reds and oranges. But our client had a very different vision in mind. They wanted to ditch that bold warmth for something more neutral, clean, and effortlessly modern. They also needed a finish that would be easy to live with – low maintenance was key!

This was right up our alley. We knew that to shift Red Gum's strong natural colour, we'd need a powerful yet precise approach. As always, our journey began with creating custom samples. We played with various neutral tones until we hit on the perfect one. Letting our client see exactly how their Red Gum would transform, before we even touched the main floor, gave them immense confidence. You could see the excitement building!

Once the colour was locked in, our team began the truly transformative part: the wood floor lightening treatment. This was a meticulous process of bleaching dark timber floors lighter, gently coaxing out those intense red pigments. It's a delicate dance, but crucial for creating that clean, bright canvas. We watched as the floor visibly brightened, shedding its fiery past and embracing a softer, airier feel. This process of lightening dark timber really is remarkable!

With the timber perfectly lightened, we then applied the chosen neutral pigment. And for the final, crucial step, we used Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil. This isn't just any finish; it's a bit of a game-changer, especially after bleaching.

Why Rubio after bleaching? Well, once the timber is lightened and its fibres are open, Rubio Monocoat, being a natural oil, truly penetrates and binds with the wood, creating a single, durable, protective layer. It's not sitting on top like a plastic film; it's in the wood. This means you get an incredibly natural look and feel underfoot.

Plus, it only needs one coat and it's super easy to maintain. Spills are a breeze, and you can spot-repair any scuffs without re-sanding the whole floor – that's a huge win for busy homeowners looking for an "easy to use" finish. It truly locks in that beautiful, new tone on those bleached hardwood floors.

The final reveal was just fantastic. The Glen Iris home now boasts stunning, perfectly neutral timber floors that are light, clean, and feel wonderfully natural. The client was absolutely thrilled with how we'd taken their vision and made it a reality, completely moving away from the original red. It’s amazing to see how effectively we can redefine a space!

Dreaming of transforming your own timber floors?

Finished with Rubio then rebuffed for a satin-matt finish

If you're in Glen Iris or anywhere in Melbourne and are wondering how to bleach hardwood floors to get a lighter, cleaner look, MyFlooring is here to help. We specialise in expert wood floor lightening treatment and premium finishes like Rubio Monocoat. Reach out to us today for a chat – let's explore the incredible potential of lightening dark timber in your home!