A reader recently wrote to ask, “What color stain would be most appropriate or authentic for a mid-century oak floor?” Drats, I cannot find the email. And, I am not academically sure what the correct answer is. I would guess… a “natural” stain.
Natural meaning – virtually no color. Matte or gloss finish. Gloss, though, would show more scratches. When we refinished the oak parquet floor in our dining room, above, the floor guy said, “All the old floors were done with a natural finish.” We chose matte finish and have been very happy with it. Our oak is getting a nice golden hue as time goes on. Under all the carpets, it’s a lighter color — the sunlight is affecting the color.
I think I may consult with some mid-century historic homes to discern the proper academic answer. But meanwhile: Readers — what do you think? What are you finding in your homes, with original wood floors, including what may have been hidden underneath carpet that’s been there for ages? What is the “authentic” color for mid-century oak flooring?
Eucritta says
My 1952 colonial ranch’s wood floors are in a natural, high-gloss finish, giving a rich, varied golden color. I don’t think it’s original, but it’s congruent with the remains of what I suspect IS the original on the edges under the (also original) floor heater grilles.
What I’ve been doing, is every time we have to do something that gives us access to what’s underneath or at the back or what-have-you – like the grilles, or under the inbuilt bottom drawers, and so on – I keep a note of what I see. So, I now know, for instance, that our bathroom walls were indeed painted pink at some point. Which must’ve been something with the green tiles.
Jane (aka Elvis) says
“Natural” is the color you so often see on unrefinished midcentury hardwood floors. We had them in our 1938 colonial revival when I was young. I remember my mother paste waxing (on her knees!) every several months to get that beautiful gloss. But the difference in the look between the original finish and what you see now is the way the original solvent-based finish (sometimes called a Swedish finish) yellows over time. You can really see the yellowing effect in an old maple school gym floor. The darker wood colors, like oak and walnut, change less, but I think the yellowing effect is still noticeable. Since mid-century builders didn’t have water-based finishes or polyurathanes, they always used older solvent-based finishes that were usually maintained with wax.
Nowadays, we have water-based polyurathane finishes that dry faster and are SO much healthier for our lungs. And they don’t yellow. We used waterbased polyurathane to refinish a maple kitchen floor in our previous home. When we refinished our 1956 ranch floors, we used a waterbased poyurathane and a stain of our own formulation that included mahogany for a warm, dark, reddish color. While it may not be “period” we really like it and it makes a great background for our light carpet and furniture.
pam kueber says
You know, I’m also thinking that the exact species of floor will make a difference in how the stain color presents. I recall that we have “red oak.” There must be many other varieties and I am sure that even a natural stain will mellow differently depending.
Also, as comments are already starting to indicate – other woods like maple out there.
Regarding doors: Gosh, a whole ‘nother issue. I was always thinking my basic doors were birch plywood? When we had to have one replaced because the veneer was wrecked, we hired a friend of a carpenter to match the stain as close as he could to other, existing doors. He got *close enough*.
kristin says
I don’t know what kind of wood ours are but originally they were very blonde with tons of gloss. When we had them redone, as there were a couple of dark stains possibly by pets, we stained them “English Chestnut” to help blend the pet stains into the overall look. We also went matte. Though the floor is a bit darker than I thought it would be, I like the stain as it really brought out the grain in the wood and the matte looks much, much better than the gloss.
madsarah says
My 1945 mid-century modern has maple floors that are stained a reddish color with a matte finish. I am not sure they were like that to begin with, but they go well with the large natural brick fireplace and other features.
Incidentally, each strip of wood in my floors is only about two feet long, max. The previous owner of my home told me that they were called “shorts” because after the war it was impossible to get long pieces of hardwood for homebuilding.
Elizabeth Mary says
The floors in my 1946 house are natural with matte finish. I had them re-done when I bought it because the prior owner loved her waxed floors and I did not want to deal with that waxing and slipperyness. Plus at the entrance to kitchen and bath they were just dirty. I love them now.
Shane Walp says
This was a good question! I was going to redo mine this summer, but started on the kitchen as a stress reliever, and then the BR plumbing fell apart! AHH! Anyway, I think natural on the floor is the way to go.
The question is – how about the interior doors? They get that honey gold look after 50 years. I think they are maple…what’s best to duplicate that on new maple wood? I’m building shelving to show off my 1950s TV lamps.
Shane
sablemable says
I guess I would say my oak floors in my 1955 ranch are natural looking, albeit a bit faded. Oddly, the trim was stained in a cherry color, but it’s still in good shape for being original. Our 1958 ranch also has natural wood floors, so that must have been the trend.
Elaine says
Oh, forgot to add, it’s matte.
Elaine says
I think it depends on which room and what year. My 1964 wing colonial has walnut stained oak in the family room/dining room. There are walnut built in bookshelves with walnut cabinets below. The wall between the cabinets and bookshelves is also walnut, and the ceiling beams and moldings. This look was quite the trend in those days, usually accented with bright braided rugs and big chunky furniture with bright throws. Very cozy and kind of funky. It’s dark in there, so it is now our media room. We’ve moved the day space out to the four season sun room.