EMERGING ENTREPRENEURS

Something new for the homeowner

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

	TRR photos by David Hulse Ray Gonsalves recently crafted a unique floor in Jerry Horn’s basement with practical materials. (Click for larger image) (Click for larger image)

NARROWSBURG, NY — Designer and craftsman Ray Gonsalves has invented a way to emulate authentic, wide-plank flooring found in nineteenth century farmhouses and churches.

It all started with a concept, which provided the channel for a design.

A while ago, his wife Nicolina, owner of Nicolina’s Country Place in Narrowsburg, said she would like an early country floor, and Gonzales began searching for reclaimed wood. He found it to be very expensive, and at some point he had the idea to lay plywood down and go to work on a design that would eventually show texture, grain and signs of wear.

Gonsalves nails down sheets of plywood, sometimes on top of old layers of flooring. The surface is sanded, and then the craftsman routes grooves by hand to create the appearance of tongue and groove seams between six-inch wide wooden planks.

“Sometimes it is difficult to create a perfectly straight groove, but the result is what you would expect from an old floor,” he said.

After a coat of polyurethane, no additional treatment is needed. Gonsalves is still experimenting with the technique though, and he is excited about its evolution.

He uses a Brazilian brand of plywood because of its purity; unlike American brands, the sheets are consistently solid. He said standard American sheets often have holes that are filled with wooden inserts, which would compromise Gonsalves’ desired effect. He also uses the wood to make furniture.

Jerry Horn decided to hire Gonsalves to put a floor in his basement, which will serve as a gallery and lounge. Gonsalves and Horn were pleased with the light tone of the floor when it was finished, especially in a gallery where such a tone is often needed.

	The plywood floor reflects light in the gallery (Click for larger image)

Presently, he is working on a floor in a Main Street addition to Nicolina’s Country Place.

Regarding the price of a new floor, he said it costs slightly less than a conventional floor.

“What you get is a durable, original piece of art that maintains the integrity of the wood, unlike mass produced floors that look like one uninterrupted piece,” he said.

Ray and Nicolina also operate a weekly yard sale at their home on Route 52, just north of the Lava Volunteer Fire Company, which will close for the season after Labor Day. They offer vintage furniture, clothing and accessories.

For more information call 845/252-3753.