I've had red oak floors in my kitchen (plus DR and LR) for several years. I love 'em. However, when I had golden oak cabs floor to ceiling, there was just way too much golden/red wood. For the past 6 weeks, during my reno, the kitchen floor was protected with thick gray/beige construction-site paper. As the cabs turned white and the counters dark gray, I was struck (and dismayed) by the overall lack of warmth. I promised myself that the next time I do this sort of thing, the cabs will be stained wood.

Most of the messy work ended yesterday, except for the backsplash. I couldn't stand the paper on the floor another minute. As it came off, the glory of my oak floors was revealed, like I had never seen them before. They glowed with warmth. The white and gray are not in control anymore. Red is back in town.