Some projects are a little out of the ordinary — and this was certainly one of them. We were appointed to carry out a sympathetic flooring makeover at the Staffordshire Historical Archive Centre, a characterful listed building that is even rumoured to be haunted. The brief: refresh the tired staircases and landings while respecting the building’s heritage, using Unnatural Flooring New England Woodstock NE6022 finished with a classic whipped perimeter.
The Brief
As a listed building, the archive centre’s original timber staircases and landings were full of character but showing their age — dark, worn and tired underfoot. Working alongside the main contractor, our task was to transform these high-traffic areas with a hard-wearing, natural-look floor that would lift the space, improve comfort and safety, and sit comfortably within a historic setting. As the before and after above shows, the difference is dramatic.
The Product: Unnatural Flooring New England Woodstock NE6022
We specified Unnatural Flooring’s New England Woodstock NE6022 in a classic herringbone weave. Part of the popular faux-sisal family, it delivers the warm, natural appearance of a sisal floor with the durability and practicality of a hard-wearing synthetic — ideal for a busy public building. The soft, sandy herringbone tone complements the building’s period timber beautifully. You can read more about these ranges in our guide to faux-sisal flooring.
A Classic Whipped Perimeter
The flooring was finished with a classic whipped perimeter — a traditional, hand-finished bound edge that frames each run with a neat, durable border. It is a premium detail that suits a heritage building perfectly and protects the edges of the flooring in a high-traffic environment.
The Installation
Fitting flooring to winding period staircases and irregular landings in a listed building is highly skilled work. Every tread, riser and turn had to be measured and cut individually, with the herringbone kept running true and the whipped border following each edge cleanly. Our installers worked carefully around the building’s original features to deliver a crisp, professional finish without compromising its historic character.
The Finished Project
The Result
The transformation breathed new life into the archive centre’s staircases and landings — brighter, warmer and safer, while still entirely in keeping with the historic building (resident ghost permitting). It is a great example of the commercial and heritage flooring work our team delivers across the country.
Commercial or Heritage Flooring Project?
From offices and hospitality to listed and heritage buildings, we deliver hard-wearing commercial flooring with a premium finish. Talk to our team about your project — book a consultation or explore our commercial flooring services.