Summer has always been one of my most cherished seasons, a time when my home truly comes alive with fresh decor. This year, I embarked on a delightful journey, embracing a slightly different color scheme that beautifully harmonizes with the natural hues surrounding my lakeside home.
This post is a proud partnership with Bona Flooring, a brand I’ve come to trust implicitly for transforming and maintaining the heart of my home.
Exactly one year ago this month, my living room and kitchen hardwood floors underwent a spectacular transformation. They were expertly refinished with a custom Bona treatment, applied by a highly skilled Bona Certified Craftsman. This wasn’t just a surface update; it was a fundamental shift that redefined my home’s aesthetic and my approach to interior design.
Many of you might recall the initial reveal post, as the dramatic transformation of these hardwood floors captivated many. Looking back, I realize now just how much the previous orange-toned floor finish had constrained my decorating aspirations for these two central rooms. It was a subtle, yet significant, barrier to achieving the dreamy style I truly desired.
While the old floor finish was technically in good condition, its prominent orange hue created an unwelcome visual challenge. It felt out of sync with my decorating vision for most of the year, only truly coordinating with anything during the autumnal season. This singular seasonal alignment wasn’t conducive to the bright, adaptable style I wanted to cultivate.
The introduction of the new Bona Grey stain completely revitalized my hardwood floors, bestowing upon them a serene, almost driftwood-like appearance. This fresh foundation became a pivotal stepping stone – both literally and figuratively – for me to reimagine and decorate these spaces, particularly the living room. It was the catalyst for a much-needed aesthetic evolution.
Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been diligently working to cultivate a distinct “white and woodsy” ambiance throughout my home. This style, deeply inspired by my move to the tranquil shores of a lake, perfectly encapsulates the serene and natural beauty that surrounds me daily.
This image perfectly captures the essence of lake life at its absolute finest – a vibrant, joyful connection with nature that I strive to bring into my interior spaces.
In my previous home, and even when we first settled into this lake house, my preferred decorating style often leaned towards a classic blue and white palette to evoke a quintessential coastal vibe. I still cherish these colors and incorporate them in certain areas, as seen in my tranquil bedroom design. However, living on the lake has shifted my perspective and opened my eyes to a new wellspring of inspiration.
When you’re fortunate enough to live directly on a lake, the view from every single door and window becomes an intrinsic part of your living space. This immersive experience means the dominant color palette naturally gravitates towards the rich, soothing greens and earthy browns of the surrounding landscape. It’s a constant reminder of nature’s beauty, encouraging me to bring those calming tones indoors.
My Decorating for Summer: Embracing Nature’s Serene Color Palette
The newly refinished floors, with their durable waterborne matte Bona Grey finish, have been instrumental in effortlessly channeling this “white and woodsy,” comfortably casual vibe into the living room. This beautiful foundation allowed me to confidently incorporate worry-free furnishings, like my inviting white slipcovered seating, and the remarkably indestructible natural seagrass rug that I brought from my previous home. Together, these elements create a harmonious and resilient aesthetic.
Over the past year, I’ve been thoughtfully adding decorative accessories, gradually building the layered look I envisioned. The vibrant green pillow covers I crafted a few months ago provide a stunning contrast against the pristine white sofa, significantly enhancing the “woodsy” feel. Similarly, freshly clipped greenery from my own yard brings an authentic touch of nature indoors, bridging the gap between my living space and the outdoors.
The subtle yet impactful color of the flooring has been the missing piece, making my quest for seamless indoor-outdoor decor a joyous reality. It perfectly connects the interior with the surrounding natural environment, which in turn, actively contributes to the simpler, more relaxed lifestyle I deeply crave and have found by the lake.
Indeed, the specific hue of the flooring has been the crucial element, allowing me to draw all the disparate elements of a room together into a cohesive, inviting space that feels genuinely relaxed and effortlessly stylish, yet wonderfully cozy.
In my previous post, I shared how I elegantly decorated my fireplace mantel without incurring any cost, utilizing items I already had. The weathered tones of the repurposed wood in that display perfectly complement the serene Bona Grey floor color. It’s a testament to how the right foundation can make all your decor pieces sing in harmony! 🙂
The transformation of my hardwood floor’s color has truly made an immense difference, elevating all my subsequent decorating efforts. I recall a previous floor refinishing project in my old house, where contractors attempted to contain sanding dust by hanging plastic sheeting around doorways. Despite their efforts, the dust was pervasive. Furthermore, they used exceptionally strong-smelling products that compelled my husband, Ed, and me to evacuate the house for several days. It was a disruptive and unpleasant experience.
I am delighted to report that absolutely none of these inconveniences occurred when our hardwood floor was refinished with Bona. The process was remarkably clean, efficient, and virtually odorless, making for a stress-free home improvement project.
When the highly skilled Bona Certified Craftsman arrived to refinish our floors, he employed an innovative dustless sanding system. This cutting-edge technology ensures all the sanding dust is efficiently collected and contained within a powerful vacuum unit strategically placed outside your home. The result is an entirely dust-free environment indoors, eliminating the need for any messy plastic sheeting and making cleanup a breeze. It’s a truly smart and fascinating process to observe!
Beyond the impressive dust containment, I particularly appreciated the craftsman’s use of low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) products. These advanced formulations are not only safe for my family and pets but also incredibly durable, drying remarkably fast without emitting any toxic odors. This commitment to health and safety was a significant factor in my positive experience.
Remarkably, there was no necessity for us to vacate our home during the entire three-day refinishing process. In fact, we were able to walk on the floors just a few hours after the stain and subsequent poly coats were applied. To minimize any disruption during the summer, I simply chose not to cook on those specific days, opting instead to order takeout and enjoy our meals al fresco at our deck table. This level of convenience and minimal intrusion was a stark contrast to my past experiences.
From the initial selection of the perfect color to the application of the final protective coat, the entire process was made remarkably effortless. The only significant task on our end was, of course, the temporary removal of furniture from the rooms. However, the true joy came with putting everything back in its place, witnessing how beautifully the new floor color harmonized with all our existing furnishings and breathing new life into our home.
Now, a full year into living with my beautifully refinished floors, I can confidently say I couldn’t be happier. The outcome has exceeded my expectations, not only in terms of the exquisite color but also, crucially, in its remarkable durability. It truly stands the test of time and daily life.
The image above showcases a specific section of the floor located directly in front of my kitchen cooktop. This area, as you can imagine, endures significant wear and tear from spills of hot liquids, dropped items, and constant foot traffic. It also serves as the primary pathway through the kitchen, experiencing heavy use daily.
Despite its demanding location, the floor in this high-traffic zone looks as pristine and resilient today as it did on the very day it was flawlessly refinished. This speaks volumes about the enduring quality of the Bona finish.
Maintaining the impeccable appearance of the waterborne finish is incredibly simple. Bona offers a specially formulated, residue-free cleaning solution that comes as part of a convenient refillable cleaning solution mop, complete with a washable microfiber pad. I particularly appreciate this system for its effectiveness and its commitment to reducing waste. The cleaning process is genuinely a quick “1… 2… 3… and done!” affair, leaving me with more precious time to enjoy the tranquility of lake life.
In retrospect, the entire Bona floor refinishing process was a testament to safety, efficiency, and complete stress-freedom. The Bona contractor who executed the work on my floors was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with, demonstrating professionalism and expertise across every single aspect of the job. Their dedication ensured a smooth and satisfying experience from start to finish.
While having a beautifully new finish on a floor is inherently a wonderful thing, what truly brings a smile to my face is the realization that all my furnishings now coordinate effortlessly and harmoniously with one another. The new floor has provided the perfect backdrop, allowing every element of my decor to shine in unison. 🙂
Living in a home where the colors flow cohesively from the floor all the way up to the ceiling has allowed me to appreciate and enjoy this particular room more than I ever have before. There’s a profound connection between happy colors and a happy me! This newfound harmony has made my living space a true sanctuary.
It’s important to note that with the previous orange-toned floor, I simply would not have been able to confidently add the charming faux barnwood paneling accent wall in this room. The old floor would have clashed, preventing the cohesive and “woodsy” aesthetic I’ve now achieved.
My current aesthetic gracefully blends soothing grays, warm neutrals with subtle hints of brown, and crisp whites, all punctuated by vibrant pops of green, tranquil blues, and delicate pinks. This carefully curated palette creates an inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel completely at ease, kicking off their shoes and simply lingering in comfort.
The comprehensive Bona Floor Refinishing System is truly a marvel, encompassing a full range of meticulously designed products engineered to work in perfect synergy. Whether you’re looking to install, renovate, finish, transform, or simply care for your hardwood floors, Bona provides superior solutions at every stage, ensuring lasting beauty and protection.
As you can undoubtedly discern from my experience, I am absolutely thrilled with my Bona refinished floor. I wholeheartedly recommend entrusting your hardwood floor refinishing project to a Bona Certified Craftsman. Their expertise and Bona’s premium products guarantee an exceptional outcome that will enhance your home for years to come.
For a deeper dive into just how easy and transformative the process of getting hardwood floors refinished can be, I encourage you to read my detailed post here: My Hardwood Floor Refinishing Reveal.
Explore More Hardwood Floor Refinishing Insights:
- Choosing the Perfect Stain Color for Hardwood Floors
- Understanding the Hardwood Floor REFINISH Treatment with Bona
- My Complete Hardwood Floor Refinishing Reveal
- How the Pros Expertly Refinish Hardwood Floors