above: Wide-plank floor evangelist Robert Rackear in his Glenbrook showroom; right: Most of the woods on offer are engineered from brands like Riva, Three Trees and Mafi. – Photographs: Portrait by Katharine Calderwood; interior photos by Venera Alexandrova
When flooring expert Robert Rackear was asked to contribute to the annual charity design event Rooms With a View in Southport last November, he used the opportunity to prove a point. “When designers have a small space to work with, they automatically think big planks are not appropriate. But I believe size matters. I always say use the largest possible.”
Rackear, who owns Lux Flrs on Glenbrook Road, had been recruited by the principals at Stamford Modern in Westport to provide flooring for the company’s compact exhibit space at the Southport Congregational Church. He brought in planks of engineered European white oak manufactured by Riva in Spain—each sized 8-feet long by 10-inches wide—and stacked them in the booth that was just 8-feet wide by 6-feet deep. “The wood was a beautiful natural color called Crystal. A good portion of the display was covered by rugs, but the flooring still got plenty of attention,” he says.
Rackear, a Miami native who was in the fashion industry and tech space before starting his own home design business, shares his flooring philosophy and knowledge at his 3,000-square-foot showroom, which opened in June 2023. There, he sells direct to the trade. “I’m proud of the showroom. Its scale allows me to present and demonstrate the benefits of a variety of premium brands.”
In one section, Rackear has what he calls a “custom corner” occupied by planks sized 11-feet, 6-inches tall by 18-inches wide. “That’s my flex,” he says. “The boards are displayed this way to demonstrate the variation in materials. When you buy flooring, you are buying tonality. That’s easier to see when the boards are large. You don’t leave my showroom with a postage-stamp-size sample, thinking you know the color of the floor. Here, you can stand in front of it.”
Most of his woods are engineered; he rarely sells solid material. “That’s where the industry is going,” he says. “I’m proud of the education and service I provide on that front. And, of course, I’ll always encourage my clients to buy the longest and widest boards they can afford.”
A number of brands are from manufacturers of high-end flooring that espouse ethical processes, including Riva, Three Trees and Mafi. Rackear prefers engineered finishes because they can be repaired and managed efficiently. “They’re pricier upfront, but they’re more serviceable in the long run,” he says. “Most of my customers need flooring for new construction and remodels. These are high-end homes, and the owners want better-than-average quality.”
Rackear says he also spends a lot of time talking with clients about the types of finishes that are appropriate for specific climates. “Some of my customers have more than one home. So, it’s important to educate them about swings in humidity, and how that can impact a floor,” he says. “It’s also important to understand the various finishing processes and to select a material that works in the area where you live.”
He’s at the ready to discuss big, beautiful floors for your home—just be sure to have your designer call for an appointment first.