The opening descriptive blurb says it all, “There are many modern materials, but wood is unrivalled in its universality and beauty.” I’ve experienced this sentiment many times, perhaps even do so on a daily basis, yet sometimes I wonder if a second aphorism doesn’t apply: “Is there anything new under the sun?” In fact, there is. And Mafi’s Oak County Riva Mezzo Flooring proves it.

Oak Country Riva Mezzo Flooring. Designed and Manufactured by Mafi.

Mafi’s Oak County Riva Mezzo Provides a New Look in Engineered Flooring

Like other Mafi products—see Vulcano Wooden Plank Designs—Riva Mezzo has a three-layer construction that reduces the use of hardwood and thus saves substantial resources. Riva Mezzo’s top and back layers are oak, while its middle layer is softwood, the less expensive and more plentiful conifer.

Riva Mezzo is tooled for easy installation. With a large bevel on the long side and universal tongues and grooves, the product is quickly and efficiently adapted into any interior.

This is good news indeed for aficionados of smart design, as Mafi’s engineered floors show superlative sustainability, yet the best reason to pursue Riva Mezzo is its unprecedented aesthetic. As Mafi puts it, “Riva Mezzo is treated to give a roughened appearance, as we emphasize cracks, knotholes, and large knots with black putty… very vivid character!”

Indeed, the product has character in spades. Its gnarled, undulating exterior reminds me of weathered barnwood—an iconic architectural motif here in Western Colorado, and one I’d love to feel beneath my feet!

About the Manufacturer: Mafi’s business premise is simple: to develop and manufacture oiled country-style wood floors evocative of the old world floors of Europe. The Schneegattern, Austria-based company has been working with wood since approximately 1918, producing outsized wooden ceilings and beams and embellishing same with hand-carvings: “From this experience it was only a short step to the production of natural wood floors.” Mafi’s engineered floors feature a three-layer construction that cuts back on the use of natural resources. Their natural, oil-based finish is an ecologically sensitive, non-toxic, and healthy alternative to lacquered floors.