This floor restoration project took place in a large detached family home in leafy Hampstead Heath. The project included the top floor, two and a half landings, three staircases, and the ground floor, including the open plan kitchen diner and the generous living room. Each area was in poor condition and required careful revival and restoration. We expertly matched the rich dark brown, almost black, tones of the ancient bog oak, bringing depth and character back to the entire space.

This distinctive ancient bog oak floor, with its dark tones and rippled hand scraped texture, was originally installed over a decade ago as part of a major home remodelling project. Over the years, the floor had suffered from neglect, the arrival of a lively family dog, and an unsuccessful repair and refinishing attempt that left it in a poor state. Despite this, the owners remained deeply attached to the unique ripple effect and were determined to preserve this defining feature at all costs.

We tested several approaches to restore the floor while protecting its distinctive hand scraped character. Hand scraping alone was our first step, however it did not produce a sufficiently smooth or consistent finish. By closely studying the existing surface, we were able to rediscover the original method used. Subtle details, such as grooves flowing seamlessly from one board to the next, confirmed that the texture was created on site rather than in a factory.

To achieve the correct result, we used Festool Rotex RO 150 hand held sanders, which offered the precise control needed for this highly specialised work. Larger sanding machines could not be used, as they would have destroyed the hand scraped effect entirely. Using three of these sanders continuously throughout the project, we were able to recreate the deep, smooth ridges with consistency and care. Extreme attention was required to avoid over sanding, as the valleys between the ridges are fine and sit close to the plywood layer beneath.

We chose to finish the newly sanded floor with oil rather than lacquer, as the limited remaining thickness meant this would be the final full sanding the floor could accommodate. An oil finish allows for ongoing annual maintenance, helping to preserve the floor’s condition without the need for further invasive sanding. We applied a bespoke Fin Wood blend of Osmo Polyx satin oils, carefully selected to enhance the depth and character of the timber.