Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2009 | Page 129

LOCAL BUSINESS

life

Interiors with a
French accent

Photo: Work carried out by Goldman Harrison on behalf of Distinctive Designs

The beauty of wood
in your home
IT is easy to think that wooden
flooring is a modern trend,
but go to Goldman Harrison’s
showroom in Newport and you
are reminded that the tradition
of laying wooden floors goes
back a long way.
“We undertake anything
from classic parquet to
contemporary hardwood and
laminate,” says Nigel Harrison
of Goldman Harrison. “We’ve
recently completed a floor in
strand bamboo, which is a
modern, renewably resourced
material. It gives a light, airy
feel which belies its incredible
strength.”
Having the adaptability to
work with a variety of material
is the mark of a craftsman,
and the floors fitted by the
firm are the work of true
specialists. The company has
developed from a boat building
background – which isn’t an
area where good workmanship
can be compromised. Ten
years on, it has a wealth
of experience in fitting new
floors in traditional plank and
strip, box, cross, herring bone
patterns , as well as restoring
and replacing existing
hardwood floors and damaged
ones.
“When you pop into our
showroom you can see

examples of a full range of
handmade and ready to
lay floors, pre-made solid or
laminate floors, and engineered
and prefinished flooring to
suit every pocket.”
A beautifully laid, polished
or wax oiled wooden floor
seems to glow as the light
changes during the day,
and can give a breezy,
contemporary feel as well as
fitting in with a traditional
or historic building . Nigel
Harrison or Simon Boyle will
happily advise on the colour,
style and finish when they visit
a customer’s home to measure.
Floors are fitted by secret
nailing, adhesive techniques or
as a floating floor.
Restoration is a large part of
the business, and a superior
sanding and refinishing
service is available. “We’ve
got the Rolls Royce of
sanding machines, 9