Unifying a Home with Lime washed Timber - Elwood

Introduction/Summary

Extending a home often means blending old with new. We recently worked with a builder in Melbourne who added a sleek, modern extension, posing a delightful challenge: how to unify the existing Baltic Pine with the new Tassie Oak to create a cohesive, contemporary flow. Discover how MyFlooring's expert limewashing technique achieved a stunning, bright Scandinavian aesthetic, and why our commercial-grade, two-component water-based polyurethane is the superior choice for lasting beauty.

The Vision: A Seamless Blend of Old and New

The project presented a beautiful contrast: a charming existing property at the front, with its original Baltic Pine timber, and a brand-new, highly modern extension at the back featuring raw Tasmanian Oak. The challenge was to bridge these two distinct styles, ensuring the timber flooring flowed seamlessly, reflecting the new extension's sleek, white, and unmistakably modern interior.

The client's specific desire was clear: no more orange hues. They envisioned a light, bright, and contemporary look, strongly leaning towards an achieving a light Scandinavian floor aesthetic.

The Art of Transformation: Precision Sanding and Direct Limewash

Our process began with meticulous preparation. The new Tassie Oak, a raw canvas, needed to be precisely sanded level with the existing floor. This step is crucial for both aesthetics and durability, ensuring a perfectly smooth transition between the old and new sections. For both the Baltic Pine and the Tassie Oak, our choice was a sophisticated limewash finish to hardwood.

We applied the limewash direct to the timber, a technique vital for achieving the desired bright and light effect. This isn't just about covering the surface; it's about the timber absorbing the pigment, allowing the natural grain to subtly show through while delivering that contemporary, non-orange hue. This careful application truly transforms the wood, creating a whitewashed wood floor look that perfectly complements modern interiors without being stark. It’s precisely how to limewash timber floors for a truly refined outcome.

The Unsung Hero: Commercial-Grade Water-Based Polyurethane

Once the beautiful limewash was applied, the crucial final step was protection. We finished both floors with a commercial-grade two-component water-based polyurethane. This is where MyFlooring truly stands out. Unlike single-component or solvent-based products, our choice offers superior performance for several compelling reasons:

• Exceptional Durability: The "two-component" aspect means it comprises a base and a hardener mixed just before application. This chemical reaction creates an incredibly tough, cross-linked film that offers vastly superior resistance to wear, scratches, and abrasions – essential for busy family homes or high-traffic areas.

• Clarity and Colour Preservation: Being water-based, this polyurethane has excellent clarity, allowing the vibrant, newly limewashed timber to shine through without yellowing over time, unlike many oil-based finishes. It locks in that bright, Scandinavian look.

• Low Odour, Faster Return: Homeowners appreciate that water-based polyurethanes are overall not smelly. This significantly reduces disruption during the renovation process, allowing you to get back into your beautifully transformed space much sooner.

• Enhanced Safety: It's a safer choice for both our team and your family, with much lower VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions compared to traditional solvent-based options.

The seamless transition from the original Baltic Pine to the new Tassie Oak, unified by that stunning, bright limewash, created a cohesive and truly modern aesthetic throughout the entire property. The client was thrilled with the transformed space, now a testament to thoughtful design and expert execution.

Left: Before / Right: After :

Note that the limewash finish looks similar to unsealed, raw timber. Impossible without lime washing.

Ready to Modernise Your Home's Floors?

If you're planning an extension, renovating an old property, or simply want to refresh your existing timber floors with a modern, non-orange look, MyFlooring specialises in professional whitewash timber treatment and achieving that coveted Scandinavian floor aesthetic.

Let us help you create a unified, stunning space. Contact us today for a free consultation or to get a quote on how to transform your timber floors!