Project Brief
This project involved lightening up Blackbutt floors of a St Kilda home that featured both an old section with Baltic pine and a newer extension with blackbutt timber. The existing floors were heavily stained in dark tones, making the home feel dim and enclosed.
The client wanted a brighter, more cohesive flooring solution to unify both sections of the property while maintaining the natural beauty of the timber.
Original Condition of the Property
The older section of the home had Baltic pine flooring that had been stained dark walnut, a look that absorbed much of the home’s natural light. This made the rooms feel small and heavy. Meanwhile, the new extension had blackbutt timber, which had also been stained dark during a previous project.
The combination of these dark-stained floors throughout the house resulted in an overall heavy and uninviting atmosphere. The goal was to restore the original lightness of the Baltic pine while bleaching the blackbutt timber to eliminate deep orange and brown tones.
Our Approach to Restoring the Floors
The first step was carefully sanding both timber types. Baltic pine, being naturally soft, required delicate handling to remove the dark walnut stain while preserving the timber’s integrity.
The blackbutt, known for its density, needed a more aggressive approach. However, simple sanding wouldn’t be enough to lift the heavy stain from blackbutt, so we applied a bleaching process to strip away unwanted pigmentation.
Bleaching blackbutt timber is an effective way to neutralize its deep undertones, creating a fresh, modern foundation. It not only lightens the wood but also enhances its grain pattern, making it a perfect choice for achieving a more contemporary look.
The client wanted to keep her Blackbutt timber floors.
Benefits of Bleaching Blackbutt Timber
Neutralizes deep, warm tones – Removes excessive orange and brown hues, making the timber more versatile for modern interiors.
Enhances natural grain – Bleaching doesn’t just lighten the wood; it brings out the beautiful grain patterns in blackbutt.
Improves brightness – Lighter floors reflect more natural light, making spaces feel larger and more inviting.
Creates a timeless look – The soft, neutral finish achieved through bleaching is a trend-proof choice that complements various interior styles.
Custom Sample Process
Before committing to the final finish, we provided the client with multiple custom samples. These included different levels of bleaching, subtle lime washes, and various finishing options to find the perfect balance between warmth and brightness.
We made sure the samples reflected how the timber would look in different lighting conditions, allowing the client to make a confident decision.
The key was to ensure the Baltic pine and blackbutt floors complemented each other without looking artificially matched. The samples helped achieve a tone that lightened both timbers while maintaining their distinct characteristics.
Lightening up Blackbutt using bleached
After selecting the perfect shade, we fine-tuned the surfaces by applying a soft lime wash to unify the two timber types further. This step ensured that both floors blended, creating visual continuity between the old and new sections of the home.
Right before the final application, the floors already showed an incredible transformation. The heavy dark stains were gone, replaced by a fresh, airy appearance that significantly brightened the space.
The Final Look
For the blackbutt timber, we completed the process with a high-quality finishing coat designed to enhance its new lightened tone while protecting against wear. The Baltic pine, having been sanded down from its dark stain, was sealed with a matching finish to ensure consistency throughout the house.
The result was a beautifully cohesive home where the flooring no longer felt disjointed between the old and new sections. The transition between Baltic pine and blackbutt was seamless, achieving a light, natural aesthetic that aligned with the client’s vision.
Client Reaction
The client was thrilled with the final transformation. They were particularly impressed with how the bleaching of the blackbutt timber worked to neutralize its previous dark tones, giving the home a much brighter and more open feel. The careful sanding of the Baltic pine revealed its natural beauty, complementing the refreshed blackbutt floors perfectly.
They also appreciated the effort put into the sample process, which gave them complete confidence in the final result. The finished floors not only met but exceeded their expectations, providing a contemporary, inviting atmosphere throughout their home.