Last week I got to visit Dr. Brent Ridge (yes, Martha's Dr. Brent) at home, because I'm helping him work through the 8 Step Cure for a radio show on Martha Stewart Radio. HE is a fascinating character, and his whole story was well written up by the NYTimes just over a month ago (link below), but what I want to focus on his new cork floors that I photographed...
Cork is a great, "green" flooring solution. Cut from trees that renew themselves between each harvest, it's durable, moisture resistant, and provides thermal and acoustic insulation. It is also hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and insect resistant. When installed as a "floating floor" it also requires no toxic glues or adhesives AND it's easy to install.
So, what's not to like?
I have been a little resistant to cork floors in the past because of their dark color and mottled surface. They remind me too much of the macrame 70's and feel their busy texture adds visual clutter. Not so with white. These white tiles are really bright and airy, and they feel really good under your feet (they have a warm feeling).
I would totally recommend looking into these if you wanted to do a white floor anywhere in your home. Check out these pics.
AT NETWORK:
>> Heather installed cork flooring in her Chicago home
>> Cork Flooring in Sunset Magazine
>> Protecting Cork Flooring
ON THE WEB:
>> Cork Oak Explained via Wikipedia
>> The Old House That Became a Way of Life Dr. Brent Ridge in NYTimes
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
My heart is going pitter-pat over these floors. White cork is surely brave, but oh so beautiful. I would be very interested in a follow-up story on the difference in heating and cooling expenses, before and after the cork floors were installed.
view SunnyBlue's profile
We have the more original color cork floors, and, since we prefer natural wood tones (and have 2 kids and a dog) we LOVE them.
view saraannsmith's profile
Those look awesome. I've always wished cork came in white. Did I miss where you mentioned the make of these cork tiles though?
view halltd's profile
i wish i had seen these before i redid my floors a few months ago!
view eriiikaa's profile
Oooh, gorgeous. Perfect for my bathroom...now from where?
view pvett's profile
I love the idea of cork and I love the idea of a white floor. But white floor tiles look very "hospital hallway" to me.
view bigwavejen's profile
We installed light cork floors recently. They are textured, and do not photograph very well, but we are quite happy with them. They certainly add a light, airy feel. We have mahogany paneling, and when we first walked into our house it had brownish-orange shag rug and the space looked like a cavern.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36510097@N07/3367498004/
Cork is wonderfully warm and bouncy, which is great since we have a toddler.
view firebird's profile
may i second the request for the manufacturer? i havent yet found a true white cork floor. thanks!
view Betsy Boston's profile
I saw some beautiful green dyed cork in a showroom -- and some of the patterned designs are awesome, too. Cork is nice stuff. Some, however, uses glues that are not very ecological, so you do need to research the particular flooring before assuming that just because it's cork, it's green.
view SherryBinNH's profile