The Challenge
Designer Zarah Bates had taken up a project unlike any other: re-creating a fictional ancient world in the mountains of Knoxville, Tenn.
Ancient Lore Village is a resort and event venue inspired by a fantasy novel. Situated in the Great Smoky Mountains, Ancient Lore Village provides an immersive setting for fairytale weddings, executive retreats and private parties. Bates helped design five treehouse-style dwellings for guests.
“We basically created dwellings that mimic the fantasy world inhabited by characters in the book,” Bates says. “Every detail mattered to create this immersive experience.”
One of the most important design elements was the flooring.
“You have to get the floor right. It’s critical,” Bates says. “But there was no way we could use real hardwood in a hospitality environment. We needed an LVP that looked like real hardwood, with the right color and character.”
The treehouse lodging at Ancient Lore Village is part of an immersive guest experience. Designer Zarah Bates chose Karndean for offering both the realistic look of rustic hardwood and commercial performance.
Sector: Hospitality
Client: Ancient Lore Village
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Designer: Zarah Bates, Z Creative Group
Product: Art Select
The Solution
Bates had experience using Karndean LVP and knew it was unmatched in replicating natural wood flooring. Every Karndean LVP floor is inspired by real wood hand-selected around the world. She also knew Karndean would withstand the constant wear and cleaning that occurs in hospitality settings.
“Creating this type of experience and finding materials and finishes to match is so challenging,” Bates says. “Karndean hit the mark. No one could touch what we found with Karndean. It was the most realistic in relation to actual hardwood.”
Bates selected a floor from the Art Select collection, Toasted Maple*. The award-winning collection replicates both wood and stone flooring in exacting detail, while delivering equally exceptional durability and performance. Available in both gluedown and rigid core, every floor in the collection has a 30 mil wear layer and is backed by a 20-year commercial warranty.
Karndean luxury vinyl is ideal for hospitality: scratch-resistant, waterproof and easy to maintain, requiring no harsh chemicals, heavy machinery or other forms of expensive, time-consuming maintenance.
The Results
The treehouses have been an awe-inspiring addition to Ancient Lore Village.
“It’s stunning. It’s one-of-a-kind,” Bates says. “You walk in and it feels like you are in a tree.”
She says Karndean was essential to bringing her vision to life.
“The floor just grounds the entire space. It brings all the elements together,” she says. “We’re thrilled with how it turned out.”
“The flooring is a great addition to the aesthetic of the treehouses.” – Tara Cole, Ancient Lore Village brand manager
*Toasted Maple is no longer part of the Art Select collection. Santina Cherry is a comparable floor from the collection.
