The Ground You Walk On

MC Design By Local Interior Designer Megan Dufresne (ASID)

With so many choices in flooring these days, it can be a little overwhelming choosing the right floor for you. The first question I always ask when deciding on flooring is, how is the space going to be used? Do we need to plan for lots of foot traffic, moisture, do pets live here? Once we understand the functionality of the space we can decide on the right materials. From there, the fun begins with color, texture, and overall design. Here is a rundown of some basic and some not so basic flooring options I love.

Wood and Engineered Wood: No doubt that wood is the oldest and most popular option when it comes to home flooring. It's versatility and durability combined with its natural beauty make it a great choice no matter what style home you are working with. When considering wood, you not only have the choice of what species of wood, but also whether solid wood or engineered wood best suits your needs. Both are good choices depending on your budget and both have similar maintenance needs.

Pictured in our first photo we have solid red oak finished in a dark stain. Similarly, in our second photo, we have engineered wood in walnut also stained in a darker color. On the lighter side we have a home with beautiful distressed wide plank solid white oak. Our last photo shows wide plank engineered white oak in a bathroom. While wood is not the best option for a bathroom, especially now with wood-look floors such as vinyl or tile that work better in bathroom environments, lighter or distressed wood tends to camouflage wear and tear a bit better.

The newest trend in hardwood floors is the use of interesting patterns to elevate the traditional look of hardwood. Herringbone has become very popular in recent years as seen in our last photo from Monarch Plank Hardwood Flooring. This patterned flooring brings texture and dimension without overpowering a room. You can go as bold or subtle as you like depending on the tone you opt for.

Laminate: Laminate flooring can be your best friend, but there are a few things to know before committing to laminate for your home. Laminate is a budget friendly option that can be laid over just about anything. It is a great option for homes with children and pets because of its ability to withstand scuffs and scratches and with a variety of colors and wood-like textures, you are sure to find the perfect look for your home.

While laminate flooring is durable, it isn't immune to wear and tear. Unlike wood flooring, you cannot re-stain it when worn down or if you want to change the color scheme. Replacement is the only option.

Laminate has come a long way in its ability to mimic the look of real wood, however, it is still a synthetic material and doesn't feel or sound like real wood when walked on. And finally, moisture causes damage and bowing fairly easily, so laminate is not a great choice for areas of the home with a lot of moisture.

Carpet: Carpet is also a popular choice for homeowners, but not all carpet is created equal. Synthetic carpets made of fine plastics can be harmful to us and the environment. When choosing carpet for my clients I try to opt for natural fibers like sisal, pictured in the first photo, jute, cotton, or wool. Same goes for rug options throughout the home.

A fun and easy alternative for traditional carpet is adhesive carpet tiles that can be arranged in one direction or alternated to create several different patterns. We used these carpet tiles in an indoor/outdoor patio space to create a cozy lounge area. With a variety of colors and textures these tiles can be incorporated into any design.

Stone & Tile: Natural stone flooring is a staple in luxury homes. Marble, slate, travertine, granite, the list goes on. These stones offer strength and beauty along with a return on investment. These options are timeless and will be on trend for years to come. In this first home pictured we mixed both engineered white oak wood floors with blue flagstone. The flagstone is used indoors and out in the highest traffic areas and we opted for wood in the living spaces for a warmer touch.

The second photo features terrazzo tile floors which come in many colors and can even be customized to your specified color scheme. Because it is a composite material made from different types of stone such as marble, granite, quartz, and more it is a good option for both indoors and outdoors. It can also be carried up the walls or to countertops as well.

Stone can be pricier than other choices, but tile fits nicely into most budgets. Most commonly made of ceramic or porcelain, this option can be a bit easier to maintain than natural stone and with so many choices in look and design, it can be used just about anywhere in the home. In the picture below we used slate-like porcelain tile to mimic the look of natural slate, but without the worry of staining and discoloration that can happen to natural slate from contact with food or oil.

Something Different: Now and then we want something a little out of the ordinary. In this first home pictured we used travertine stone in the entry way and decided on polished concrete for the living room. The polished concrete is very strong and can take on just about anything you throw at it, but still provides an elegant foundation for the rest of the design.

In this home we combined both solid red oak hardwood and Saltillo tiles to create a lattice design to delineate the entry way from the rest of the home's hardwood floors. We stained them both in the same dark color to create a cohesive look throughout.

And finally, even the garage deserves a little floor work. In this home we used epoxy flooring in the garage which creates a durable, slip resistant surface that is showroom ready.

About Megan Dufresne

A Manhattan Beach native, Megan is no stranger to coastal living. She was raised visiting jobsites and marking up blueprints with her contractor father. She grew up in a home custom built and designed by her parents

Today, Megan brings South Bay’s casual sophistication to homes across Southern California. Passionate about textiles and design, Megan’s goal is always to elevate the everyday into motivating spaces for her clients. Innovative, fun and inspiring are three of her favorite adjectives when it comes to home design.

Megan works with both homeowners and developers to create personalized homes that are timeless yet current, with thoughtful layers that look and feel as though they’ve been collected over time. Focusing on clients’ culture, tastes and interests as well as the home’s architecture, Megan translates those influences into highly livable, visually stunning interiors. Kids, pets, sand and swimming pools inspire instead of limit her creative possibilities.

She works primarily in the beach cities of Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, and travels for clients as needed.

As as a former luxury design specialist for House Beautiful and Modern Luxury Interiors California magazines, Megan now brings that knowledge and passion to interior design.

She founded MC Design in 2007.

Megan lives in Lower Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and two Chihuahuas.

She’s a firm believer in cocktail hour(s) and beautifully organized spaces.

Megan is available for a free consultation of your home or office. You can contact her by visiting mcdesignshop.com