I was reading this post:

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... r&start=15

This guy's floor is amazing. I LOVE pattern floors. Why doesn't anyone do them anymore? A few of the mansions and old houses around here in Minneapolis have some amazing floor designs, different woods in interesting patterns that give amazing 3D effects. But I've NEVER seen them in newer houses. The most I've ever seen is a premanufactured medallion and maybe a border.

Do any of you guys do these crazy designs? Post some photos in the photo gallery.

If I had the time and the patience, I might even try my hand at it. The biggest thing stopping me though is the complete lack of information on it.

Your question opens up lots of questions. But as I see it, parquetry floors have fallen out of fashion because they are too elegant and draw too much attention to themselves. Designers and decorators are not fond of them these days and you never see them in Sunset, Better Homes and Gardens and home mags like that. This type of floor was popular with the wealthy in the 19th century and can be found in older homes, estates, castles, palaces, etc. The industrial revolution made it possible to mass manufacture parquet and it was sold by mail order and many Victorian homes had it. It was normally installed by hand nailing the pieces down with finish headed nails. But today, design tastes are different. And another factor is cost. It takes way more time to install this type of floor, especially if mixing species. If it is a standard parquet design with a web back or paper face and can be glued down, that can go quickly. But custom designed, basket weaved, mixed media floors are very expensive to have professionally installed and the materials are expensive as well. But as strip and plank floors become common place, there will always be those who desire the extraordinary. As they say, every dog has it's day. And some day, parquetry and pattern floors will come back but in a newer way with a more modern look.

One could probably do some pretty amazing patterns if they had access to a waterjet. I think that's how most medallions are made now aren't they?

For wood? No, a CNC mill.

To add to my previous reply, the NWFA every year sponsors a contest for "Floor of the Year" in many catagories. They then publish the results with pictures in their magazine. Many of the entries are absolutely stunning with some of the most ingenius and artistic, one of a kind designs you will ever see. Here are a few of my favs from recent contests:
http://www.nwfa.org/member/floorYearWinners2006_3.aspx
http://www.nwfa.org/member/floorYearWinners2006_10.aspx
http://www.nwfa.org/member/floorYearWinners2003n.aspx
http://www.nwfa.org/member/floorYearWinners2003d.aspx

You can see more by going here:
http://www.nwfa.org/member/floorYear.aspx

Wow:

http://www.nwfa.org/member/floorYearWinners2006_5.aspx

I can't imagine how much time something like that takes, it's absolutely amazing. I like some of the designs that also "radiate" the wood from a center point.

When I have my next house built, I'm gonna reserve a room which will be destined to have some sort of super intricate floor in it.