Wood Stock: Past Meets Present

When a private client in the United States began searching for a truly one-of-a-kind panel floor, their architect and design team reached out to Woodworks, a company known for creating bold, complex patterns that honor tradition while pushing the boundaries of modern design. The centerpiece of their collaboration was Sapphire, a distinctive multidirectional panel that reflects both historical inspiration and contemporary innovation.

“We’re always trying to explore everything that’s possible with a wooden floor,” says Robert Walsh, CEO of Woodworks. With locations in both London and New York, the company has spent the last 30 years specializing in reclaimed and antique wood projects, many of them large in scale and ambitious in scope. That experience has shaped their approach to craftsmanship, influencing both technique and creativity.

Sapphire was developed as part of that mission. Each panel measures approximately 3 feet square and features a circular core connected by a banding strip that links the design across the entire floor. The result is a multidirectional pattern that Walsh says brings energy and sophistication to any space, while maintaining a sense of balance and structure.

Rather than mimic the past, Woodworks set out to reinterpret it. “There are the historic patterns like Versailles and basketweave, and we respect those deeply. But we wanted to take the best of that tradition and give it a modern twist,” says Walsh. The inspiration for Sapphire stems from European parquetry designs of the 17th and 18th centuries, when increasingly detailed and decorative patterns began appearing in palaces and estates.

To complement the complexity of the layout, each internal edge is gently rolled, and the corners are finished with a unique miter detail that allows the panels to transition seamlessly from one to the next. The center of each circular core is made from four segments with the grain aligned to flow around the circle, reinforcing the geometry of the design while adding subtle movement.

The panels are crafted from French oak that has been aged for two years. During that time, the wood naturally shrinks, moves, and undulates, developing a gentle texture that gives the surface both visual and tactile depth. To preserve that character, the panels are hand-sanded rather than planed flat, resulting in an authentic, lived-in feel.

Color plays a critical role in highlighting the pattern. Each board is lightly fumed using the wood’s own tannins, a natural technique that deepens the tone without overwhelming the grain. “We didn’t want a uniform color that would hide the pattern,” Walsh explains. “The subtle shifts in tone help reveal the intricacy of the design.” The goal was to strike a balance. We wanted enough variation to showcase the geometry, but not so much that it felt distracting or uneven.

After installation, the panels are sanded again and finished with a burnished hard wax oil. “We build a very heavy coat,” says Walsh. “That gives the floor a sense of age, like it’s been there for generations.” The final effect is both refined and rooted, with a richness that feels timeless.

Sapphire can be installed wall-to-wall or with a single or double curved border, also made from aged French oak. This flexibility allows the pattern to adapt to various room layouts while adding a subtle frame around the perimeter when desired.

Though the final installation was completed in the United States, the approach reflects the company’s design philosophy across all markets. “You have to understand your customer,” says Walsh. “Every client is unique. Never assume they know what’s possible. Walk them through the design, provide samples, and set expectations clearly from the start.”

Working with reclaimed and antique wood has given Woodworks a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship of the past. But for Walsh and his team, looking backward is only worthwhile if it informs what comes next. “We learn from the old floors, but we’re not here to replicate,” he says. “We want to give architects and designers something they haven’t seen before.”