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Issue 61 - Vintage Modern Issue

Issue 61

Vintage Modern Issue

The breadth and scope of Habitus has always been extraordinary. With how we live at heart of every issue, we have stepped it up with Guest Editor David Flack of Flack Studio shaking the ‘how’ and looking at new ways to make a house a home. With Vintage Modern as the issues theme, we look at the way iconic design has stayed with us, how daring pieces from the past can add the wow factor and how architecture and good design defy the pigeon hole of their era.

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From forest to floor with Tongue & Groove 
FlooringAlex Wright

From forest to floor with Tongue & Groove 

Tongue & Groove’s innovative grading system celebrates the unique beauty and versatility of natural European oak.


Timber embodies a natural beauty, offering a sense of familiarity and warmth that has made it a staple in homes for centuries.

Every piece of timber tells a story – its age, height, health and a myriad of other factors echo through the material emerging as knots, sapwood, heartwood, and more. These fundamental features give oak timber its rich character and beautiful versatility while also contributing to its inherent strength and durability.

As a leading producer of solid engineered oak flooring, Tongue & Groove is renowned for honouring the inherent beauty and characteristics of European oak.

Organising their boards into three grades: Natural, Classic and Prime, each with a different level of natural character, Tongue & Groove provides designers with the creative freedom to enrich fit-outs with specific aesthetics — whether the brief calls for a clean modern finish or a richly textured surface.

Designed to bring a sense of control and ease to selecting the perfect floor aesthetic, the Tongue & Groove grading system isn’t a measure of quality, stability or structure. Rather, it’s a visual guide used to categorise the prevalence of these natural features that are a testament to the life and journey of the tree from which the timber is sourced.

Tongue & Groove’s grading system is uniquely tailored to offer a higher standard and reflects the superior quality of timber sourced across all grades. Their oak is responsibly sourced from plantations throughout Europe that practise sustainable forestry and are certified according to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Chain of Custody Standards.

Natural, vibrant and characterful

Defined by the organic essence of European oak, Natural grade range offers richly textured grain and a considered balance of knots that imbue an interior with a characterful natural beauty. These boards are derived from the majority of the tree, making them more readily available while still being a product of the highest quality.

Camp Cove by Tobias Partners, Natural grade Tongue & Groove European oak floors in Chamoisee

Classic, balanced and versatile

The Classic grade is a versatile finish with fewer knots than the Natural grade while retaining the naturally dynamic grain that gives European oak its distinctive appeal. It brings a natural elegance and tactile yet refined quality to interiors, making it a popular choice for a wide range of design styles.

Tongue & Groove European oak
Black Vespa Home by Stafford Architects, Classic grade Tongue & Groove European oak floors in Freado

Prime, clean and sophisticated

Prime grade features a refined finish with minimal knots bringing a clean and minimalist look that is well suited to contemporary interiors. This grade is considered premium as only five per cent of the tree meets this stringent criteria, making it a scarce and precious resource.

House on the Bay by Decus Interiors, Prime grade Tongue & Groove European oak floors in Hekke

What truly sets Tongue & Groove apart is the unprecedented choice and ability to select across a range of Grades, Finishes, Colours and Formats, enabling designers to create consistently beautiful interiors.

Tongue & Groove
tongueandgroove.com.au


About the Author

Alex Wright

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European OakflooringFlooring SolutionsoakProductsTongue & Groove


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Issue 61 - Vintage Modern Issue

Issue 61

Vintage Modern Issue

The breadth and scope of Habitus has always been extraordinary. With how we live at heart of every issue, we have stepped it up with Guest Editor David Flack of Flack Studio shaking the ‘how’ and looking at new ways to make a house a home. With Vintage Modern as the issues theme, we look at the way iconic design has stayed with us, how daring pieces from the past can add the wow factor and how architecture and good design defy the pigeon hole of their era.

Order Issue