Behind The Boards: Homeowner Michael

A home shaped by history, family and collected design

Michael has been a Royal Oak Floors customer for five years, drawn to our distinctive flooring collections and ability to complement the character of his family home. With more than 25 years of stories held in his home’s four walls, Michael and his wife Felicity, wanted to balance the home’s character while creating a space for the needs of contemporary living.

After collecting distinctive furniture throughout decades of his life, Michael wanted flooring that would complement these pieces, highlighting their heritage and individuality while bringing warmth, durability, and longevity to his home.

 

“Royal Oak Floors was the perfect addition to the furniture and the look and feel that we wanted to achieve with this wonderful country property.”

-Michael Nettlefold, Royal Oak Floors customer

A home filled with stories

The home already had a strong sense of identity, with more than 25 years of stories held within its walls. This sense of history was further reflected in Michael’s collection of furniture and objects, gathered throughout decades of his life.

Rather than starting again, the renovation was an opportunity to bring these elements together in a considered way.

The challenge was finding materials that could sit comfortably alongside furniture with such individual character — pieces with their own history, personality and sense of place — while still giving the home a contemporary feel.

For Michael, the flooring became an important part of achieving this balance.

The foundation for collected pieces

With such a distinctive collection of furniture, the floor needed to complement rather than compete.

Michael was drawn to Royal Oak Floors’ Smoked & Black flooring for its rich, dark tones and distinctive grain. Its depth creates a strong foundation for the home’s curated pieces, allowing their individuality to come through while creating a sense of cohesion throughout the interior.

The flooring also helps connect the different spaces within the home, creating a consistent colour palette from room to room.

This continuity was particularly important to Michael and Felicity. The result is an interior that feels considered and connected, where the flooring acts as a quiet thread running throughout the home.

Designed for everyday family life

While aesthetics were an important consideration, the home also needed to work for a busy family.

With children and grandchildren enjoying the house, the flooring needed to offer more than visual appeal. It needed to withstand everyday life while retaining the character and warmth that made it right for the home in the first place.

For Michael, this balance between beauty and durability was essential.

Five years on, the Smoked & Black flooring has stood the test of time, retaining its character with minimal signs of wear. It continues to provide the warmth, depth and sense of permanence that Michael was looking for when selecting the floor.

A timeless choice

There is something inherently enduring about materials that become part of a home’s story.

For Michael and Felicity, the flooring isn’t simply a backdrop to the furniture and architecture. It is part of the way the home feels — connecting its past with the way the family lives today.

The rich tonality of Smoked & Black brings warmth and depth to the interior, while its timeless character allows it to sit naturally alongside both heritage pieces and contemporary elements.

Five years into living with the floor, its ability to complement the home while standing up to family life is a testament to the importance of choosing materials that are made to last.

For a home shaped by decades of memories, collected pieces and family life, the floor provides a fitting foundation for the stories still to come.