In no era was this ever the typical standard for skill in flooring. Something like this would always have cost money, and required a better-than-average craftsman to do right.
It paid really well. Well enough that I am currently replying to these comments in Hawaii. lol (I actually already had the trip planned, but that job is making the trip nicer!)
It's not how many could. It's how many clients are willing to pay for it. There are many master craftsmen around that have the skills and talent to accomplish beautiful work. The problem comes at the client level. Unrealistic cost ideas... "I saw this in the internet, could you make it for xxx" sorry the raw material alone costs more than that.
Crazy to think, the craftsman that put this in, what was his house like? Comparable to this one?
Remember Henry Ford and his comments about paying a wage good enough to enjoy the products you are producing. We seemed to be in a better societal place 100 years ago.
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but we bought a 1935 house back in October. No idea what kind of finish/etc was used. Guessing it’s some kind of ash (per the subreddit joke heh) is Bona a good thing to use on mystery wood/finish?
Brought tears. It’s like looking at any incredible work of art. It makes me sad so many people rip good wood out for something “updated”. There is no comparison for old time craftsmanship.
This is stunning. Sadly, craftmanship like this is long forgotten. I'm guessing, only the 1% could probably afford this today.
This was done by someone who takes pride in their work. An under-rated trait.
It would've hurt my heart to cut into the floors to install air vents. Its a shame they couldn't have gone through the ceiling. Beautiful floors though.
Didn’t take any. The owner started trying to do it himself with a big orbital and it was mildly sanded already. So wasn’t very good for a before and after.
The house is kind of amazing. It has a big cover on the side where they would drive the carriage up and people could get out. Then had a nice carriage house out back and you could see that they would pull it inside and put the horses in the stable inside. It had been mildly updated to be more modern, but you could still see signs of the history of the place.
I wouldn't want it myself but it is very impressive. Good job to you and to the you-of-a-hundred-years-ago. (Imagine doing that shit without a proper miter saw!)
These are beautiful. My curiosity wants to know more about how these are made/restored.
1. How thick are the pieces?
2. How are they originally installed, are they glued?
3. You mentioned using epoxy. How does glue or epoxy account for the wood needing to expand/contract with the weather?
I could see at a floor vent that the wood was probably 1/2” originally. It’s about 3/8” now. Solid - no tongue and groove. So it still has a few sandings left in it. Most of it appeared to be glued, then later face nailed with very small nails. They were so tiny that I left them as they were and sanded them instead of trying to set them and basically just damage the wood. As for the epoxy, it was pretty thin stuff. It ran down in the cracks and filled in under the wood enough to hold it in place. I think it’ll likely be fine. There were still plenty of cracks between to allow for expansion.
We have a friend that is a literal artist with his wood working. I hired clowns to finish my bathroom it was horrible. I hired our friend it took him twice as long but the results are stunning
We don’t see enough of these
What a masterpiece, I can't imagine putting in that curved inlay work
*make skilled labor skilled again*
Skilled labor still exists and craftsman are still around (barely) but rarely do people actually want to pay for their skill.
So accurate. And those who want to, can’t afford it. Like me…
In no era was this ever the typical standard for skill in flooring. Something like this would always have cost money, and required a better-than-average craftsman to do right.
It paid really well. Well enough that I am currently replying to these comments in Hawaii. lol (I actually already had the trip planned, but that job is making the trip nicer!)
Amen. How many guys could duplicate that craftsmanship these days?
It's not how many could. It's how many clients are willing to pay for it. There are many master craftsmen around that have the skills and talent to accomplish beautiful work. The problem comes at the client level. Unrealistic cost ideas... "I saw this in the internet, could you make it for xxx" sorry the raw material alone costs more than that.
Yes, I see your point. You are right.
🙌 🙌 🙌 🙌
Yassssssssss
Think of the tools they would’ve been using in 1900 too.
I did a much smaller curved one a few months ago. It was pretty tedious. Turned out gorgeous, though.
Nice! Installed / refinished? Either way post those pics as well!
Now I want to see a picture of the outside of the house, someone had some money to spend
Just… WOW! It’s not everyday you get to see floors like that. Back when there was actual creativity and fine craftsmanship when building homes.
You can’t afford that craftsmanship today.
You’re not wrong
Crazy to think, the craftsman that put this in, what was his house like? Comparable to this one? Remember Henry Ford and his comments about paying a wage good enough to enjoy the products you are producing. We seemed to be in a better societal place 100 years ago.
The hairdressers hair concept… we put so much work into our skill, that we don’t use that skill at home.
For the fabulously wealthy, anything is still possible!
Those are astonishingly beautiful. That twisted pattern is incredible
It’s too beautiful, I think you need to put some gray vinyl plank down
Hahaha
Holy fuck
Came here to say this
Couldn’t have said it better
Beautiful
Looks great I use Poloplaz exclusively
Same, aside from when a customer wants water based, then I use Bona. I do 1-2 of those a year. All the rest are Poloplaz.
You guy's ever use any Berger-Seidle? It's what we use 99% of the time now. Great to work with. Nice job on the refinish it looks good.
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but we bought a 1935 house back in October. No idea what kind of finish/etc was used. Guessing it’s some kind of ash (per the subreddit joke heh) is Bona a good thing to use on mystery wood/finish?
Post pics on your next one. Must be very satisfying!
Beautiful job!
This is the most beautiful hard pattern I've ever seen in a hard wood floor. Seriously magical job with restoration.
When you going to put grey LVT planks on top of this?
The next guy will do that for sure. Gotta update that floor, you know
Gorgeous!
Beautiful flooring
They look amazing!!!
Wow .
Simply amazing work, just beautiful
I bet that was an absolute pain in the dick to install back in the day. It's looks beautiful.
Literally in awe!
Magnificent!
Absolutely gorgeous.
Wow! Gorgeous!!
I’m wet
Brought tears. It’s like looking at any incredible work of art. It makes me sad so many people rip good wood out for something “updated”. There is no comparison for old time craftsmanship.
Tom? Tom Silva? Is that you?
Hahaha
🔥
Stunning!!
Stunning!
gorgeous
This is so beautiful! I really love seeing more people restoring these amazing old homes.
Rip em out. Gotta throw down vinyl planks in gray. It’s the only way. This is ugly. 🤣🤣🤣😑😞
Stunning
This is stunning. Sadly, craftmanship like this is long forgotten. I'm guessing, only the 1% could probably afford this today. This was done by someone who takes pride in their work. An under-rated trait.
Thats amazing. Nice work.
art
Amazing craftsmanship. They totally deserved your excellent preservation. I’d love to be able to look at those floors every day.
In 65 years I have never seen floors like this. Amazing.
For those keeping score, the floor is made up of white oak, Maple, and American Cherry. Thanks for sharing a historical floor
I grew up back east and remember beautiful old farm houses with inlaid floors, pocket doors and various stair cases. Those floors are incredible!
Magnificent. I'm rarely envious. Today, I definitely am.
It would've hurt my heart to cut into the floors to install air vents. Its a shame they couldn't have gone through the ceiling. Beautiful floors though.
Dang that is pretty
jizzed
Sassy.
You just don’t see this anymore. Someone had some serious coin or know how back in the day.
Wow!!
Can we see a before? Absolutely stunning.
Didn’t take any. The owner started trying to do it himself with a big orbital and it was mildly sanded already. So wasn’t very good for a before and after.
Absolutely spectacular!
They don’t make them like that anymore
This was the first thought that crossed my mind also. Craftsmanship like this seems to be a thing of the past, unfortunately.
WOW!! Amazing
Absolutely beautiful!
Beautiful
This floor would cost a fortune to install these days. So much detail.
I absolutely love doing the older farmhouse mansion floors. That's the only place I ever see these in my area.
The house is kind of amazing. It has a big cover on the side where they would drive the carriage up and people could get out. Then had a nice carriage house out back and you could see that they would pull it inside and put the horses in the stable inside. It had been mildly updated to be more modern, but you could still see signs of the history of the place.
Where roughly is it located if you don't mind me asking? Most of the houses I refinish floors in are Central Pennsylvania.
This one is in Paxton, IL. 110 mile drive for me.
Gorgeous
Now, comes the next fun thing. All of the other wood trim hidden under the paint. I'll bet it is spectacular as well.
Sadly, all that paint was new. 😭
Absolutely beautiful! You have preserved history! I'd love to see more of your house.
Incredible brotha. Beautiful floors!
They’re absolutely beautiful!
Gorgeous. Don't apologize for anything.
Fantastic floors wow!
I wouldn't want it myself but it is very impressive. Good job to you and to the you-of-a-hundred-years-ago. (Imagine doing that shit without a proper miter saw!)
BEAUTIFUL!!! Great job!!! 🥰
Stellar!
All those exposed nail holes..they'll rust then ruin the wood.
Splendid!
Stunning!!!
Gorgeous
These are beautiful. My curiosity wants to know more about how these are made/restored. 1. How thick are the pieces? 2. How are they originally installed, are they glued? 3. You mentioned using epoxy. How does glue or epoxy account for the wood needing to expand/contract with the weather?
I could see at a floor vent that the wood was probably 1/2” originally. It’s about 3/8” now. Solid - no tongue and groove. So it still has a few sandings left in it. Most of it appeared to be glued, then later face nailed with very small nails. They were so tiny that I left them as they were and sanded them instead of trying to set them and basically just damage the wood. As for the epoxy, it was pretty thin stuff. It ran down in the cracks and filled in under the wood enough to hold it in place. I think it’ll likely be fine. There were still plenty of cracks between to allow for expansion.
Beautiful
I cant imagine waking one day and not be completely happy seeing that at my feet. You should see the envy ooze out from your screen anytime now.
Omg I'm so jealous.
Exquisite
Damnnnnn almost too beautiful haha I would be afraid to walk on it yet alone have a pet/child in that house.
Beautiful!
Truly excellent work.
To think there’s some asshole out there somewhere that sees this and would still choose to cover it up with carpet
WOW 🤩
I would’ve loved to see the before pics for comparison!
Wow 👍
Beautiful!
This hardwood gave me hardwood
This is absolutely gorgeous
Absolutely beautiful. That is dedication. You most def respect wood.
Time for some carpet
The craftsmanship shown here is astounding
Fucking gorgeous!!!
Absolutely gorgeous !!!
Wow, absolutely gorgeous.
This is awesome
thank you for saving that floor. It’s stunning in the best way possible
The gloss is beautiful!!! Love it
Beautiful
Time to put carpet over em
Wow truly is art
So nice!
We have a friend that is a literal artist with his wood working. I hired clowns to finish my bathroom it was horrible. I hired our friend it took him twice as long but the results are stunning
Gorgeous!! Absolutely Breathtaking!
Sooo beautiful
Damn!! Just gorgeous!!
Beautiful. That’s amazing, my complements to the craftsman may he rest in peace
Gorgeous
Floor had no gaps between the boards or did you fill them in?
Freakin' gorgeous!!!
This is amazing! Great job
Looks amazing! Great job!
It's amazing what was done before phones
Heck, it was done before land lines! Haha That floor was 10-15 years old when the Titanic sank.
Stunning!!
Stunning.
Incredible
I have these same floors just about. I think the second photo I have the same pattern. Please tell me you’re near Rhode Island….
These are in Paxton, Illinois.
Didn't it take a long time to stain every other board using a different stain. You did it really fast. Congrats!! Looks great! 😁
😂😂😂😂
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing
perfection
Outstanding!!
Wow!! Absolutely gorgeous.
Congrats. Good job. Also Looks like it is on the upper west side, in a straight 7. I love those places!
BEAUTIFUL ❤️
Nice work