Catherine Zeta-Jones' hardwood floors embrace a tricky trend – but experts think the design is brilliant

The actress's creative floor design make her home look oh-so-elegant

Catherine Zeta-jones glossy hardwood floors
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Any avid interior design fan knows that the devil is in the details, and this is especially the case when it comes to hardwood floors. Between the thousands of different types of woods, colors, grains, and finishes, selecting a floor can feel like an impossible task. 

However, taking the time to find the right fit can make all the difference. The home of Catherina Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas is an excellent example of how beautiful, carefully chosen flooring can complement and elevate any design scheme.

The Hollywood power couple has selected a dark chocolate-colored wood with an ultra-high gloss finish. According to interior design experts, the flooring style pairs perfectly with their color scheme and has benefits for the entire space.

First, the experts love the ultra-glossy finish of Catherine Zeta-Jones's hallway floors. 'This finish is so bright that it acts similarly to decorating with a mirror,' says Jennifer Ebert, Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'Not only does it reflect the couple's adorable dog on the stairs, but it reflects all of the light coming through the house's windows. This brightness makes the home appear well-lit and more spacious.'

Jennifer Ebert
Jennifer Ebert

Jen is the Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.

Carlin van Noppen, head interior designer and CEO at Fig Linens and Home adds: 'Another benefit of the high gloss on these floors is that it creates a very smooth texture. This sleek, glossy feel provides a welcome contrast to the soft carpet on the stairs and the matte look of Catherine and Michael's walls. These textural differences make even the corner of the staircase carpet appear visually interesting.'

carlin van noppen head designer at fig linens and home
Carlin Van Noppen

Carlin Van Noppen is the CEO and head interior designer at Fig Linens and Home. She has over 20 years of experience providing design expertise for beautiful homes, hotels, yachts, and private planes and now manages a boutique that has been named the Best Linen Shop in Connecticut several years in a row.

Designers also admire the dark color of Catherine Zeta-Jones's wood flooring. 'The richness of the wood perfectly compliments the jewel tones in the home,' says Jennifer. 'From the navy blue carpet to the deep red walls in the living room, the dark floors bring out the elegance in the home's hues. The floors make the color scheme look even more luxurious. Even against the classic white walls, the sharp color contrast creates a dramatic look,' she adds of the Intolerable Cruelty star's home.


When designing a home, flooring design is not a detail to overlook. Whether you prefer a more dramatic look like in the home of Catherine Zeta-Jones or like something simpler with a lighter wood or carpet trend, treat your flooring choice as you would do your wall treatments, because it will have just as much of an impact. 

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.