What you are referring to is proper "parquetry" and the labour is generally costly as it requires more attention to detail and is more time consuming... you may be able to manage cost depending on your choice of timber (note parquetry now also comes in engineered timber which can be a bit less) but the labour will be costly regardless... my google search of "parquetry flooring Sydney" came up with a few results so hopefully you can find someone there after a few enquiries... good luck! :)

Hi Tace, thanks so much for getting back to me and posting the photo. I think that looks pretty nice. Love the sink/taps too. Are your cabinets glossy Polyurethane? I'm now thinking of getting white a laminate benchtop to match the cabinets (rather than Caesarstone due to $$$), and going with a clear mirror splash back (behind the cooktop) and herringbone marble like yours (behind the sink). This is a 3D render of a possible design - I don't like the subway tiles though - I think the Herringbone marble splashback would look better.

I have wood floors in our bathroom. Have had for a good while. Kids are now four and six. There is one spot in the corner that gets very water logged from bath. It's about 1cm wide and I need to pull off skirting and sand and seal. It's the second wood bathroom I've had but it's hardwood planks on joists not herringbone on a substrate.

Thank you everyone, lots of food for thought. oklouise, would you have the false wall going all the way along the bathroom or just jutting out behind the vanity? We have a few cm to work with as the vanity we are looking at is a little narrower than it could be. jacqueline thank you so much for your photo! Something that goes down a bit lower might help disguise the pipes, ours will be a much smaller room than yours. siriskey, I have attached the plan for this room to see if it is helpful. I am leaning towards choosing a different vanity but as you have said this one is lovely! But it won't be lovely if it doesn't work...!