a day in the life of a latvian mom

Hello, everyone!

I’ve recently been deep in the process of selecting floor boards for our home, and I wanted to share my experience with you. This journey was a lot more involved than I initially expected, but it’s one of those decisions that we’ll live with for the next 20 years. Here’s a glimpse into our process and the challenges we faced along the way.

The Process:

1. Initial Research:
We started by figuring out our needs. With a floor heating system in place, we needed a flooring material that would work well with it. Vinyl flooring came out as a strong candidate due to its compatibility with underfloor heating. However, this was just the beginning of a complex decision-making process.

2. Choosing a Manufacturer:
The next hurdle was picking the right manufacturer. With so many options available, it was overwhelming to sort through them. Instead of visiting showrooms (which we found to be overpriced), we did our homework online. We spent hours reading reviews, comparing products, and digging into various brands and also looking for the shop that can deliver to Latvia, to excape the overpriced local shops. We finally found a manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality and durability based on extensive online research and recommendations.

3. Selecting the Style, Color and SIZE:
Our home is a charming rural cottage (actually there is a “manor” in the translateion would be “Chestnut manor”), and I wanted a floor that matched its classic, rustic character. We debated over various wood-look vinyl options. Oak was a strong contender for its timeless appeal, but we also considered maple and walnut for their unique touches.

When it came to color, we chose natural wood tones like oak and walnut. Bright or contemporary colors felt out of place in our classic, rural setting. We wanted a floor that would enhance the cozy, rustic charm of our home.

Additionally, when it comes to the size of the boards, I’m leaning towards longer planks to achieve a more authentic, traditional look. Initially, I was intrigued by the idea of a herringbone pattern with smaller planks, but I’m now unsure if it will look cohesive throughout all the areas of the house. I’m quite meticulous about these details—just like when we installed tiles in the WC, I obsessively checked for symmetry and noticed every odd pattern, corner, and unexpected small piece. I guess you could say I have a bit of a perfectionist streak! Or alteast when I open a door I want my tile to look symetric 🙂

4. Budget and Durability:
Budget was a significant factor. Vinyl flooring can be more expensive than some alternatives, but its durability and longevity made it a worthwhile investment. We managed to stay within budget without going into debt, and the high durability of vinyl means it will likely last for the next 20 years, making the initial cost a solid investment.

The Final Decision:

After much deliberation, we finally made our choice. We opted for high-quality vinyl from a renowned manufacturer in Germany and selected a style that perfectly complements our home. The entire process ended up being more time-consuming and costly than I had originally anticipated, but we’re thrilled with the result.

We made a conscious decision to avoid taking on debt. While banks offered us a substantial loan that could have covered the renovation and even a new house, we chose not to. Our goal is to live comfortably within our means and finish this renovation without incurring debt. It’s important to us to maintain financial freedom, and we’re committed to seeing this project through in a way that aligns with our values. I’m even considering writing a blog post about our house and our journey towards debt-free house (we live dept-free).

Reflections:

The journey to choosing our flooring was challenging but ultimately rewarding. Knowing we’ve chosen something that will stand the test of time and suit our home for the next two decades makes all the effort worthwhile. I’m excited to see how our new floors will look and feel. I’ll keep you posted.

If you’re going through a similar process or have any questions about choosing flooring, feel free to reach out. I’d love to hear about your experiences and share any tips that might help.

Self-claimed floor expert,
Ilze