A homeowner in Portland, Oregon, has shared an incredible discovery she made in her recently purchased Victorian house.
When Tiah Jean lifted an old carpet she stumbled on a standout design feature.
"I discovered it at the beginning of April, and I was assuming there would be some worn hardwood underneath the carpet, like in the rest of the house," Jean told Newsweek.
In a video on TikTok documenting the discovery, Jean lifted the carpet to find an exquisite linoleum floor complete with traditional pattern.
Linoleum was a popular flooring material during the Victorian era. It was considered a "wonder product" at the time that was cheap, easy to clean and long lasting.
The patterns on linoleum floors often featured floral designs similar to Victorian wallpaper, as well as more geometric and abstract patterns. Popular with middle and working class families of the era in all rooms, linoleum fell out of favor in the 1960s and is now mostly only seen in bathrooms or kitchens.
"We are keeping it," said Jean, thrilled by the discovery that needs a little bit of restoration thanks to years of wear and tear.
"We are sincerely determined and inspired to safely and effectively fix this home to its Victorian roots," said Jean, who has a love for Victorian architecture and craftsmanship.
After sharing the find on her TikTok page @tiahjeann, where it has over 911,000 views, people were amazed by the uncovered flooring.
"You have officially hit the jackpot," said one commenter.
Another TikTok viewer said: "I'm so jealous, all I found was black mould."
"My house in Maine has this floor I will never replace it," said another homeowner.
For Jean, the discovery serves as an example of the timeless style she sees in Victorian homes. As she continues her restoration journey, Jean said she will keep sharing on her social media, hoping to inspire others.
This is far from the first time an unexpected discovery in a house has gained internet attention.
Last year a homeowner shared the "coolest" discovery from 1978 when she was clearing out the attic and saw a series of unwrapped presents.
In 2021 a couple found an incredible tiled masterpiece hiding underneath the carpet in their 1840s English home before vowing to restore it to its original beauty.
But stranger discoveries have been uncovered too. Last month a couple renovating their bathroom found a human jawbone embedded in a tile.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
