Wood Stock: Prepped for Possibility

When Alex Hamilton of Grain Design Flooring was approached to take on the flooring for a new-construction home in Kentucky, he saw it as more than just a job. It was a chance to showcase creativity for a homeowner open to something distinctive.

The contractor, who had worked with him before, brought him in near the end of the build to install more than 2,800 square feet in a five-bedroom, four-bath home using Graf Custom Hardwood rift-and-quartered 4” solid white oak. Hamilton ordered 3,100 square feet of material to ensure coverage for the entire job, allowing a margin for waste.

Most of the living space was located on the first floor, including the open-concept living area and the primary bedroom, with additional bedrooms and a long hallway upstairs. Hamilton began by milling the full batch on site and installing approximately 2,400 square feet of straight-lay flooring throughout the main areas. With most of the layout complete and enough material confirmed for further customization, attention turned to the dining room.

A hobbyist photographer, Hamilton maintains an organized gallery of previous and aspirational pattern work. When clients are unsure, these visual references help them explore what’s possible.

“In cases like this, we’ll actually give homeowners a discount if we can have some creative freedom,” Hamilton says. “This approach shows that it’s not all about the money—it’s about the craft. We come to work to earn a living, of course, but once they see we’re willing to work with them on price to do something special, they’re often more than willing to pay.”

In this case, that inspiration helped define a focal point for the home. With the foundation laid and the opportunity to incorporate a more distinctive element, Hamilton presented the homeowners with a small panel he had created for a local home and garden show. The design immediately resonated with them, and once they gave the green light, he scaled the pattern up to suit the proportions of the dining room.

Once the dining room—featuring a scaled-up chevron pattern—was complete, the homeowner raised the idea of enhancing the mudroom and hallway leading to the garage. She suggested a herringbone layout, but Hamilton offered a creative alternative.

“We had mostly shorts left over. If we went with herringbone, I’d need to order more material,” he says. “Instead, I suggested something completely different that no one else in the area had seen.”

He proposed a double basketweave pattern that would not only make use of the remaining stock but also offer a distinct, high-impact aesthetic. However, working with 4-inch stock meant adapting the design. “Basketweaves I’ve done before used wider planks—6”, 7” or even 8”,” Hamilton explains. “With 4” material, it looked too busy, so doubling up helped balance the scale.”

With the design approved, Hamilton and his team spent a half day milling the material, and the full installation was completed in just three days. Altogether, the layout included 242 individually milled pieces, all glued and nailed into place. Hamilton credits the success to detailed preparation. “Success comes from preparation. If you do your math, scale it to the space and build good jigs and templates, installing it becomes the easy part. At that point, it’s like building with Legos.”

The newly installed floors were first sanded with a Lägler Hummel using 40- and 50-grit abrasives, then worked with a planetary sander through 60, 80 and 100 grit. A final buff with Norton PowerMesh using 120 grit smoothed everything out. For finish, the team used Loba EasyPrime with Whitener as a base coat, followed by three coats of Loba Invisible for a raw, natural look.

Reflecting on the job, Hamilton says the project underscored something important: that there may be more interest in custom floors than many assume. “Many homeowners don’t realize these designs are an option until they’re presented with confidence,” Hamilton says. “If you have the training and support, you can’t be afraid of the challenge. There’s still a place for craftsmanship, even in today’s fast-paced market. That shared investment often fuels excitement on both sides. When I’m excited about a project, the homeowner gets excited too. That kind of momentum makes a big difference.”