British Collection Oak Herringbone for Upper East Side Apartments
Posted October 30, 2026
The British Collection offers 3/4" oak in Italian, French and Hungarian herringbone lengths, a natural fit for prewar rooms on the Upper East Side.
Call (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation to review samples and specifications for your project.
Many prewar apartments between Fifth and Lexington have patterned oak floors, and owners renovating them often want to keep that character. Our British Collection gives you oak herringbone and matching straight plank in six finishes.
Here is how each product is specified, and how to pick the right herringbone length for your rooms.
Kent and Yorkshire: Superior Selection Oak
Kent is a Superior Selection oak in 3/4" thickness. In straight plank it comes in widths of 5 1/2", 6", 7 1/8" and 7 1/2", with random lengths from 1'5" to 6'5" and longer. In herringbone, widths are 4 6/8" or 5 1/2".
Yorkshire shares the Superior Selection grade, with straight plank widths of 5 1/2", 7 1/8" and 7 1/2", and herringbone at 5 1/2". Both are always supplied prefinished, so a co-op renovation spends less time on site with open finish work.
Italian, French or Hungarian Herringbone
The British Collection lists three herringbone styles. Italian lengths run to 1'3", 1'6", 1'9" or 2'3" on Kent, French to 1'3", 1'6" or 1'9", and Hungarian to 1'3", 1'6", 1'9" or 2'1". Our guide to herringbone and chevron explains how angled patterns differ.
In a classic six or seven room apartment, the length you choose changes the rhythm. Shorter pieces give a tight, traditional weave in a gallery or library, while longer pieces calm the pattern down in a large living room. Our parquet collection has other patterns if herringbone is not quite right.
Devon and Cornwall: Grey Stained Natural Oil
Devon is Oak Superior with a grey stain and natural oil finish. It follows the same specification as Yorkshire, with 5 1/2" herringbone and straight plank to 7 1/2", so it can run through a whole apartment.
Cornwall carries the grey stained natural oil finish in the same formats. Grey tones can cool a room with warm brass hardware and plaster walls, and they sit well beside marble in a renovated kitchen. See light versus dark wood for how tone affects a north-facing room.
Want British Collection samples for your apartment? Call (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
Essex and Sussex: Hand Planed Natura Oak
For a softer, older surface, Essex and Sussex are Natura Selection oak, hand planed, with a natural oil finish. They are offered in straight plank at 5 1/2" or 7 1/8" with random lengths from 1'5" to 6'5" and longer.
Hand planing leaves a gentle undulation that catches low light. In a prewar bedroom wing with plank floors, that surface can feel more at home than a perfectly flat board. Pair Essex plank in private rooms with Kent herringbone in public rooms for a layered plan.
Planning Herringbone in a Co-op
Co-op renovations add steps that a house does not, such as alteration agreements and board approvals. Because the British Collection is always prefinished, the floor goes down without days of on-site sanding and finishing, which can simplify scheduling with your general contractor.
We suggest deciding the herringbone style first, then confirming widths for each room, then choosing a finish from samples viewed in your own light. Our herringbone collection shows the pattern in more species if you want to compare oak with walnut or tropical woods.
Quick Answers
What thickness is British Collection oak?
All British Collection floors are 3/4" thick, in straight plank and herringbone.
Which herringbone styles are available?
Italian, French and Hungarian herringbone lengths are listed on the product pages.
Is the British Collection prefinished?
Yes. British Collection items are always supplied prefinished with their respective finish treatments.
Which British oaks are hand planed?
Essex and Sussex are hand planed Natura oak with a natural oil finish.
Plan Your Floor
Restoring a prewar apartment? We can send British Collection samples and help you choose a herringbone style for each room.
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Browse our collections: Herringbone, Chevron, Wide Plank, Parquet.
About The Author
Joe Avila has worked in wood flooring for 26 years. He is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS) and teaches NWFA continuing-education courses for architects, designers and flooring professionals. Luxury Wood NYC, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand.
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