Dark hardwood flooring fashionable, says expert

Those keen on installing a hardwood floor as part of a renovation of their living room may find that a darker colour is the best look for 2010, an expert has said.

Writing in the Hartford Courant, design guru Debbi Travis advised that the appearance of interiors in the new decade will initially be defined by concerns such as eco-friendliness and a healthy lifestyle.

She said that pale colours such as blues and whites will be prominent and that above floor level, woods should be pale.

However, Ms Travis added: "The dark floor and light wood furniture work well together in a modern setting", providing a picture to illustrate her point.

Painting the lighter hardwood white is a good idea to bring out this contrast, she advised.

In the US, a number of homes are set to be able to buy used hardwood flooring that has staged two basketball matches.

The wooden floor temporarily installed at the home stadium of American football team the Dallas Cowboys will be sold on after the second of the two matches takes place in February, the Dallas Morning News reported this week.

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