Parquet is a type of flooring made from small pieces of wood arranged in geometric patterns. Instead of long planks running in one direction, parquet floors use squares, triangles, or other shapes fitted together like a wooden puzzle to create designs such as herringbone, chevron, or basketweave.

Walk into an elegant old building like a historic courthouse, museum, or grand hotel, and you might notice the floor beneath your feet forms intricate patterns. That's parquet. Skilled craftspeople cut hardwood into precise shapes and arrange them so the grain of the wood runs in different directions, creating visual interest and helping make the floor stronger.

Parquet became especially popular in European palaces during the 1600s and 1700s. The famous Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles features elaborate parquet floors. These floors required enormous skill and patience to install, which made them a sign of wealth and craftsmanship.

Today, parquet appears in everything from basketball courts (the Boston Celtics play on a distinctive parquet court) to apartment buildings. While it's easier to install than in centuries past, quality parquet still requires careful measurement and fitting. The patterns catch the light differently depending on where you stand, making these floors both practical and beautiful.