Why start a project before leaving town? Because sometimes we like a little chaos. Beginning our cork floor installation before heading off to Portland and Hawaii turned out to be a smart, oddly satisfying choice.
It may sound strange, but coming home to a partially finished floor felt like progress. We had already snapped several cork planks into place, so returning to complete the job and enjoy a warm mocha-toned floor was genuinely exciting. The planks click together and float over our existing vinyl — which contains an asbestos liner — so we followed safety guidance and left the old material intact rather than ripping it up. Because the new cork is a snap-and-lock floating floor, it’s stable enough for house sitters to walk on even while the perimeter and a few corners remain unfinished. There are no messy adhesives to worry about, just the thin underlayment visible where the cork hasn’t yet reached, so our temporary setup didn’t create inconvenience or strong odors for the people staying in the house.
The cork feels wonderfully cushioned and soft underfoot — an immediate and noticeable improvement over the old floor. We’ll share the full details of the installation, materials, and tips once we’re back on our DIY schedule, so please save any questions for Monday’s post when we can answer them thoroughly. For now, we’re enjoying the trip, taking in the scenery, and making friends with the local wildlife.
…and, as you may know, Clara really adores her fish.
Psst — we announced this week’s giveaway winner. Check the original post to see if you’re the lucky recipient.