Mar 28, 2025
Following the incredible transformation of her own home, seasoned home renovation enthusiast and content creator, Emma @homeonthegrove is no stranger to ambitious renovation projects, but in 2021 she embarked on her next big challenge with a 1800 fixer upper, bought at auction with ambitions to flip it into a warm and welcoming home, complete with j2 Flooring NT51 – Pale Oak LVT flooring.
Extensive work was required throughout the project including replastering, new windows and all new decor. However, one of the most impactful changes was updating the flooring throughout the downstairs. NT51 – Pale Oak LVT was used throughout to bring a seamless, bright and cohesive feel to the space.
As avid DIYers with a drive to keep costs down, Emma and her partner felt confident in their ability to complete the installation themselves, but not without challenges along the way. Extensive subfloor preparation was required to level the flooring before installation could be completed, however their hard work paid off and Emma commented “The new flooring is absolutely beautiful and has had a massive impact”.
Beforehand, the flooring felt disjointed and outdated, with a dark brown carpet in the lounge that absorbed light, and a kitchen laminate with harsh yellow tones and a glossy finish. Emma knew from the start that she wanted to replace this with a classic real wood look that could seamlessly flow throughout. She was looking for something warm and natural without leaning too grey or dark. Ordering samples was key to finding the perfect shade and NT51 – Pale Oak instantly stood out to her due to its beautifully detailed grain, soft warm tones, and universal appeal.
In addition to using the sample service to get a feel for the shade, grain, and texture of the flooring, Emma also used the room visualiser to see how different choices looked in her rooms. “The samples were a really decent size which helped narrow down choices and I loved that the visualiser allows you to adjust the orientation and layout of the flooring to see the impact that had on my interior.”.
The decision to go for LVT flooring was as much a practical choice, as it was a design choice. In addition to its ability to seamlessly be installed throughout the home and give the authentic appearance of real wood, Emma wanted something durable and easy to maintain. LVT ticked all the boxes. “j2 Flooring had such a great selection to choose from and I particularly liked their Natural Timbers range as they’re really authentic wood-looking with embossed texturing, and the guarantee makes me feel confident it will last”
After 3 years of hard work the final result of the renovation is breathtaking. “I’d absolutely recommend j2 Flooring, definitely start with a look through their amazing brochure and order some samples! I’d also recommend having a good look through their Instagram page as they’ve got lots of examples of how their floors look in real people’s homes!”.
Take inspiration from Emma’s transformation on Instagram @homeonthegrove, or explore Pale Oak LVT in your own home using our room visualiser.
