Yasmine Richardson and Ashley Johnson were renovating their 400-year-old Grade II-listed home in Nottinghamshire when they discovered original oak floorboards beneath old blue carpets, a find that amazed them and sparked debate online.
Renovation reveal
The couple, who documented their renovation on social media with the goal of restoring historical details, began by tackling a large sitting room with walnut-coloured wooden panels, built-in shelves, a fireplace with iron detailing, and large windows. After removing the carpets, they were thrilled to see the floorboards underneath.
"Oh, my goodness. They are oak, solid oak," Yasmine said in a video. "And the original floorboards. I can't wait to see these restored."
Online reactions
Commenters expressed envy, with one writing "Fabulous find" and another saying "annoying when other people are living my dream." A third commented, "Other than taking the carpet up there is not a single thing I'd change in that room, holy moly." Some questioned whether the wood was oak, suggesting it looked like pine. The couple replied that their floor restoration expert said it was oak.
Oak vs. pine flooring
Pine is a softer, budget-friendly softwood with an orangish hue and knots, while oak resists scratches better and is denser and stronger. Oak trees grow for over a century, making their timber heavier and more durable than pine.
