Where Heritage Meets Home

The Art of Reusing a Hørning Floor

A House with History

In a quiet neighbourhood in Aarhus stands a classic 1930s bungalow, built by a master carpenter for his own family. Nearly a century later, the house is now home to an architect and his family, who have embraced its legacy of craftsmanship and enduring materials. Its heart lies beneath the feet of its current owners, a solid oak herringbone floor that has lived through generations and, remarkably, still continues to do so.

A Floor that Stood the Test of Time

When the family first bought the house in 2003, the original oak floor was already many decades old. Over the years, it has witnessed daily life, celebrations, children growing up and countless gatherings. Despite constant use, the floor has required little more than regular cleaning. Never sanded or re-oiled, it has aged gracefully, developing a natural patina that tells the story of time well spent.

The Art of Restoration

When the homeowners decided to renovate their kitchen and extend the existing floor, they were determined to preserve the herringbone floor rather than replace it. What began as a practical decision soon turned into a labour of love, a delicate process of restoration and renewal.

The existing oak blocks were carefully lifted, each nail cut and removed by hand. Every piece was cleaned, its tongue and groove meticulously prepared for relaying. Working with new oak blocks from Hørning, produced in the original dimensions of 20 x 65.5 x 262 millimetres, the installer mixed old and new elements to achieve a unified surface.

A Living Legacy

“It would have been wrong to throw away such a beautiful, well-crafted floor,” the homeowner, Glenn Elmbæk, explains. “It has been part of our home for 90 years, and keeping it feels like keeping a part of its soul. It’s more sustainable, of course, but also deeply personal. The new oak blends seamlessly with the old, and the result is simply stunning.”

The outcome is a floor that bridges eras, the craftsmanship of the 1930s meeting the precision of modern production. It embodies what true sustainability means: not just using certified materials, but extending the life of what already exists.

Timeless Design and Enduring Craft

For architects and designers, this project offers a clear reminder that good materials never go out of style. A well-crafted wooden floor is not temporary; it is a living surface that matures with the house, growing more beautiful with every passing year.

At Hørning, we believe in crafting floors that last for generations, both technically and aesthetically. Because when quality craftsmanship meets care and respect, heritage finds a place in modern life, and a home becomes part of a much larger story.