To debut at Milan is to be recognised as one of the world’s most elevated makers and creators, and to be seen by the global cognoscenti of architecture, interior design, industrial design and furnishings. For Australia’s Tongue & Groove, it represented a breakthrough moment.
This was a reveal 15 years in the making, as Tongue & Groove built a reputation for beautiful, tactile solid-engineered European oak flooring. Their ingenuity and craftsmanship has been given scope to shine in a bold new collection, GridWork, created in collaboration with Raw Edges and Established & Sons.
This collection was launched into the global design spotlight at Milan Design Week 2026 Salone del Mobile, at the dramatic and sculptural Raw Edges exhibition booth.
This debut on the global stage was made possible through the partnership with Established & Sons, and the unveiling of GridWork in such prestigious circumstances reinforces Tongue & Groove’s commitment to innovation, design excellence and bringing world-class design to the Australian market.
GridWork is a design-forward interpretationof European oak tiles in a 15×15 format that enables designers to create the appearance of ceramic tilework in warm, natural timber tones.
“Flooring has never given designers the opportunity to express their creativity like this,” says Richard Karsay, CEO and founder of Tongue & Groove.
“This new direction allows designers to add a personal touch by playing with colour, pattern and grain direction. It’s about having fun with flooring and pushing its boundaries.”
GridWork was inspired by the Bauhaus movement, and draws on the fundamental geometry of architecture, the square grid, then reimagines it with grain, colour, directionality and the biophilic, sensory effect of natural wood.
“You have tiles in simple 15 × 15 modernist grids – but not in wood,” says Shay Alkalay, co-founder of Raw Edges with Yael Mer. “With ceramic tiles, you see endless imitations of wood. We thought it was about time wood returned the favour. It’s one of the simplest designs we’ve ever done, but there’s something bold in that simplicity.”
Crafted in Tongue & Groove’s signature three-layer, solid European oak construction, and individually stained, the finishes are robust and durable. The meticulous staining process also acts to preserve the quality of the timber and the finish through deep penetration of the dye resin into the wood.
The European oak is responsibly sourced from sustainably managed European forests, and carries FSC® certification, providing assurance that it comes from forests managed to rigorous environmental, social and economic standards.
Each tile features a precisely engineered chamfer that mimics the grout lines of a ceramic tile. The aesthetic effect also incorporates an innovative interlocking connection system that enables designers to utilise the effects of grain and stain to create subtle and eye-catching patterns.
“Timber has a lot of movement in it, especially European oak,” says Karsay. “We had to work out how to eliminate that movement and make the tongue-and-groove system function in any direction.
“The end result is something truly special.”
Tongue & Groove flooring has been specified across a diverse portfolio of premium residential, hospitality and commercial projects throughout Australia, with international installations in cities including New York, Athens and beyond. These are timber products trusted by leading architects and designers, those who value exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design and uncompromising quality.
