Brian and MaryAnne Applegate, co-owners of Applegate Wood Floors (AWF), have been go-to local experts on 'all things hardwood' for nearly 40 years. This fall, they're helping clients find the next floors of their dreams.
“Clients are increasingly asking for simple, clean visuals with subtle character,” says MaryAnne. “There’s an overall movement to more natural, warmer undertones, a light, airier wood tone, soft blondes and washed neutrals.”
The classic tree families, such as wide and long white or red oak, will continue in popularity, MaryAnne predicts, with renewed interest in maple and ash varieties. She also expects the fall to be a season of textures, such as lightly wire-brushed wood with a resurgence of herringbone patterns.
“These are textures you notice with your feet,” MaryAnne says. “This tactile appeal aligns with sensory wellness and the desire to feel more ‘grounded’ at home.”
Brian and MaryAnne have tracked trends since opening AWF in 1988. They’ve been members of the local community for even longer, both graduating from Pennsbury High School after growing up in Yardley. Additionally, their son, Brian David, and daughter, Georgia, also work in the family-operated business.
These community ties led them to sponsor more than a dozen local organizations and events, including the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, The Jimmy V Foundation, 5K and 10K runs at Washington Crossing State Park, and youth and family services in Kensington.
AWF team members pride themselves on being able to find the right fit for any project, with plenty of clients returning to them decades, or second-generation, later for more floor work. They complete installations in residential, commercial and institutional facilities, with a full-service, special focus on serving the homes of Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents.
“We at Applegate Wood Floors have only two real passions: wood floors and our clients,” Brian says. “We offer a vast array of wood species in a wide range of widths, finishes and grades to suit any taste and lifestyle.”
In addition to installing new products, Applegate professionals also specialize in “revealing the hidden beauty” of hardwood through restoration.
“We've restored and refinished thousands of existing hardwood floors, the oldest being a 200-year-old chestnut floor,” MaryAnne says. “The value of hardwood stems from its natural authenticity, and if properly maintained, it can last for hundreds of years.”
“Hardwood flooring continues to be the top choice for homeowners as the ultimate complement to personal design and style, and is the flooring of choice because of its natural beauty, enduring quality, warmth and inherent durability,” Brian adds. “This is an investment in your home that lasts for years and offers timeless style.”
MaryAnne, whose background in the art world gives her a leg up in the creative side of the business, knows that while tastes change, certain qualities will always satisfy customers.
“Certain design principles, like our connection to nature, never go out of style,” MaryAnne says. “More homeowners, especially wellness-conscious clients, are looking for spaces that feel alive, from the light filtering through the windows to the organic textures beneath their feet. That’s when artisan-crafted wood flooring is more than a surface — it becomes an experience that you enjoy everyday.”
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"Hardwood is the ultimate natural and enduring product that's truly an investment in your home."