Against the grain

I speak with Warren, owner of Cornish company Tre Concepts, an authority on bespoke hardwood flooring.

Warm, friendly and happy to answer my long list of ‘whats, whys and whens’ – naïve questions that he’s no doubt heard a thousand times before – Tre Concepts owner Warren is as patient as they come, displaying a natural affinity with customer care and a passion for detail.

“We supply the highest-end materials and we like to see them fitted properly.”

After a quick chat about the small things in life, he sets down his cup, the gentle thud of china on (presumably) hardwood softly translating through the receiver, before clearing his throat and taking me back to where it all began.

Warren has more than 15 years of experience across the building industry. From supplying and specifying hardwood flooring to the county’s leading architects and interior designers, to supplying trade materials and machining timbers, this born-and-bred Cornishman has developed a deep and thorough understanding of the trade, particularly here in Cornwall. What’s more, he understands the importance of supporting local business, explaining: “The building industry here is alive and kicking. There’s no reason to bring suppliers from out of county when there are plenty of fantastic firms and stockists right
here in Cornwall.”

The aim behind Tre Concepts has always been to offer as wide a range of hardwood flooring as possible to a clientele that’s no longer willing to compromise. Unsurprisingly, this ethos has set the company apart from the crowd ever since its launch in 2015, especially when combined with a professional fitting service that listens to clients’ requirements and provides tailored solutions, even in the most demanding of situations.

Be it the finish, the width, or the grade of the wood, designers and architects all-too often have to settle for something that doesn’t quite tick all the boxes, but such is life, right?

Wrong. “The idea of our business is to give architects and interior designers complete freedom, to the extent that the only limit is their budget. It’s all about opening up the possibilities, whether you want to revamp your kitchen flooring, or you need the designs drawing up and materials supplied for a complete, multi-million pound renovation!”

With this in mind, it’s crucial for local businesses to work together, something Warren understands. It could be that you have a trusted fitter in mind, in which case Tre Concepts can offer a supply-only service, sourcing materials from solely British manufacturers. The company will also provide a method statement – a detailed fitting plan that can be handed to your fitter to achieve the perfect new flooring.

“We’re not precious about our designs, but we supply the highest-end materials and we like to see them fitted properly. It just makes sense – why wouldn’t you want your new or renovated floor to live up to its full potential?”

Warren continues: “We want to make sure you’re spending your money wisely, even if that means simply injecting life back into your original floorboards. We know this is just as important as complete refits, as each and every chip and knot tells its own story and often, they represent generations of use!”

Taking a sip from his brew, he recalls a fitting anecdote. After being approached by a lady who wished to give her existing floor a makeover, the team hadn’t the faintest idea what to expect. “We were stunned as we uncovered the original oak floorboards, only to discover that they were centuries old.” Chuckling, apparently still amazed, he finishes: “I’ve never seen floorboards like them!”

It’s plain to see that Warren has a sincere passion for his company’s work. Each and every project is treated with the utmost care and respect, but perhaps most impressive is the team’s understanding that “we’re only as good as our last job.” When every project is treated with this benchmark – from small refurbishments to complete overhauls – your new floor from Tre Concepts doesn’t just promise to be beautiful, or understated, or a product of the utmost Cornish craftsmanship; it promises to be nothing short of a masterclass.