Interview with Wendy Meltzer - Owner of Unique Hardwood
By Sarah Tobin
Tell us about your business.
Unique Hardwood is a hardwood flooring gallery – we pride ourselves on offering luxury European-made engineered flooring at an affordable price.
We are woman-owned and operated with a focus on exceptional customer service. Our products are in stock with a seven-to-ten-day lead time – something that’s rare these days!
What areas do you serve?
We serve all Southern California but Orange County specifically. Our products can be shipped nationwide, so it really doesn’t matter where you’re located!
Which jobs have you particularly enjoyed working on?
We’ve provided flooring for some exceptional projects in Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, and Palm Springs. I particularly love it when our clients do creative things with our flooring like using it to line their walls, and ceilings and to add design flair to their fireplace!
How would you describe your design philosophy?
I truly believe that beautiful floors anchor exceptional interior design. We work with designers, architects, and their clients early in the design process. Flooring serves as a foundation for your design. It’s crucial to select a product that sets the right tone for the rest of your space. My design philosophy is simple – listen to my clients and help them select a product that meets their needs.
When and how did you discover you first had a passion for interior design/architecture?
I’ve always been in the flooring business – probably because I love helping my clients realize their vision. I’m involved from start to finish and love the long-term relationships I’ve developed with my clients over the years.
What are your company’s biggest successes and achievements?
Every finished project is a success for us! We love nothing more than seeing our products installed in gorgeous spaces. We recently opened a new showroom in SoCo – that’s another big success for us. We are excited to have taken our place beside other leading design businesses.
Building and renovating can be stressful. How do you help your clients?
We make it easy for our clients to get the look of custom flooring without the price tag. We also offer extended hours for designers, architects, and their clients so they can visit when it suits them.
Our technically advanced products are another way we’re helping our clients… Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid hardwood. It resists cupping and seasonal movement – something that’s so important in our coastal climate. Our products are all UV cured with all natural hard-wax oil finish.
How is your company helping to shape interior design right now?
Our product is exceptional! I’m confident that our floors will be a source of pleasure, pride and a lasting investment for years to come. We offer wider widths and longer lengths – something that can really make a difference to the finish of a space. Our customers love it, and the results speak for themselves. We’re also proud to be the exclusive Orange County dealer for Legno Bastone, a 100 percent natural European flooring product made from sustainable white oak.
What are your favorite elements of California architecture and design?
California is so unique because we have such a vast coastline. I love the light, airy spaces that lend themselves so well to living in our fabulous climate. I’m also partial to the moodiness that can be introduced with different flooring finishes. Think about a light and airy great room with white walls, light floors and the windows thrown open to a beautiful coastal view… and then consider a cozy office in the same residence lined with loaded bookshelves and darker wood flooring with a shag rug. Everything can work here – it’s just a matter of defining your vision.
