The wide, distinctive planks of a solid Dinesen Douglas floor reveal from a distance that you are looking at something extraordinary. The story of Dinesen Douglas, however, does not start in the large, well-nurtured forests of Europe as one might think. It starts at Sønderborg Castle.
From castle and manor to exclusive homes
In 1965, Dinesen was contacted by Peter Koch and Jørgen Stærmose, the renowned Danish architects and Royal Inspectors of Listed State Buildings, who was looking for unusually long floor planks for the restoration of the 400-year-old Sønderborg Castle. In the past, these long, wide planks had been made of Pomeranian Pine, which was now no longer available. The lengths and widths which the architects preferred required a unique solution.
Dinesen made floor planks for the castle out of Douglas fir in lengths of up to 15 metres and widths of up to 45 centimetres. Their impact at the castle was conspicuously fitting. And in the years that followed, Dinesen provided flooring for a wide range of castles, manors and churches. This has not changed, but today other clients also enjoy the profound qualities inherent in the solid, almost indestructible Dinesen Douglas. Our floors are found in fashionable, unique homes, exclusive hotels and unforgettable restaurants in Denmark and abroad. Each plank floor is unique and custom-made for the specific room in which it is laid. So if you think a specific plank floor seems quite unusual, we can only agree. It is.
History of the Douglas Fir
The Douglas fir originally comes from the west coast of North America, where it grows from California, in the south, to British Columbia, in the north. The Douglas fir was introduced in Europe in 1827 and named after David Douglas, a Scottish botanist. This impressive tree, which in Europe grows to 60 metres in height and 1 metre in diameter, had otherwise already been named by a rival botanist, Archibald Menzies. But “Douglas” was easier to pronounce and perhaps sounded better – which decided the matter. Today, Dinesen Douglas comes from the best stands of European forests. Whereas certification is crucial for ensuring sustainable forestry elsewhere in the world, European foresters have been meticulously nurturing and caring for forests for centuries. The significance of forests to society and the environment has been appreciated and respected from time immemorial. But to forest owners, proper forestry is also, and always has been, a condition for producing high quality wood. This means that you can enjoy your Dinesen floors with a clear conscience - because the forest they come from is still standing.
The epitome of luxury
International architects and quality-conscious builders use Dinesen’s wide planks to create unique, personal effects that unify and enlarge a room at the same time – elegantly rustic and innovatively historical. The style of a Dinesen floor is so individual that it is the natural, perfect choice for both a 400-year-old Renaissance castle and a modern, minimalist urban apartment. The effect is also appreciated in well-appointed homes where Dinesen Douglas floors add a peaceful, natural quality to the living space. Dinesen Douglas is a unique choice that generates aesthetic value which will last for centuries. It will be the first thing you notice as you enter a room, and the last thing you will let out of your sight when you leave.
