Trace by Storey
Trace is Made by Storey’s new refined range of flooring, stairs and joinery manufactured in Belgium. This episode dives into why materiality matters, exploring how quality, consistency and customisation open up new possibilities for design.
For Made by Storey co-founders Damir Dzuzdanovic and Theo Perdikis, the new Trace range – manufactured in Antwerp, Belgium in collaboration with Nobel Flooring – is all about possibility. As Perdikis explains, “Trace offers an extensive range of products, but what really sets it apart is the way it invites us to rethink flooring altogether.”
It all begins with customisation. “Every element can be customized, from the grade of the oak to the tone of the finish to the pattern underfoot,” he says, “and it doesn’t stop there.” Flooring becomes the foundation for a broader spatial language, extending into “wall cladding, doors, joinery and accessories, connecting every little detail so the whole space feels like one”.
At the heart of this system is craftsmanship. Johan Schraunen, owner of sixth-generation atelier Nobel Flooring, describes the company’s process and dedication to excellence. “To make our floors and stairs, we make it from the best logs… We do the controlling of the structure, the grading.” For stairs, they use a base of “the best quality of birch plywood” for stability, while the lamella – the solid hardwood top layer – is treated with particular care. “We use a full-width lamella for one step. We do not glue pieces together,” he explains. This allows for consistency across the entire design.
Scale is also what sets Trace apart – with planks up to 60 centimetres wide and 15 metres long. Dzuzdanovic notes that “designers can choose between a wide selection of grades, treatments, colours and parquetry formats,” with the ability to carry those selections across every surface. “Think of it like tailored craftsmanship built around your brief,” he adds. Straunen agrees, “We are not making standard products. We look into the air, the atmosphere, everything that the clients want to have.”
For Australian architects and designers, this level of integration fills a longstanding gap, opening up new design possibilities. “Trace isn’t just a floor. It empowers design,” says Perdikis. “It’s like a complete system for shaping space, all crafted under one roof right here in Belgium.”
