I love both those floors and definitely think they would work with more formal furniture and accessories. I'm partial to the darker floor, but that's just my preference.

It's the opposite in our house - we're getting ready to stain our floors and I want two coats of stain for a darker finish and DH just wants one coat. A lighter stain might be better at hiding the dust!

I prefer the honey toned maple. But I try to avoid red tones in wood at all costs.

Another vote for the honey toned wood. DD2 put hand scrapped hardwoods in her new home. She's only 22yo, so she's more eclectic than rustic or traditional, but has semi-rustic pieces in her home. I think the flooring goes with almost anything.

When it comes to wood the darker floors will show more dust and scratches, the lighter floors will be more forgiving and show less dirt. Something to consider with the little ones! Also the shinier the floor the more visible the scratches and dust becomes.

Thanks all!

Allison, I am new here and don't completely know how to navigate the site. Is there somewhere I can see pics of DD2's floor and decor?

thanks again.

I've only posted one photo, since I write for AtticMag. (Saving the good stuff! lol)

Here is a picture of her DR area. She's replacing the Crate & Barrel table/chairs with something else soon. Lamps will go to guest room when we find suitable replacement(s).

Her floors are 5" Hickory Forge, in Ringing Anvil by Anderson. 3/8" thick. This color (but not the entire line) was 50% off when we went to look for flooring. A sample was leaning against the main rack, and she went straight to it. My first thought was "no way she can swing that!" The 50% off was $2psf above the low end of her budget, but the it was worth it, as the floor makes the house (everywhere but kitchen and baths). It is absolutely gorgeous.

Anderson paired with SC Corrections, and prisoners actually make the flooring. The article is quite interesting.

"The $7- to $10-an-hour wages that Anderson pays for the inmates' work is divvied up in several ways. Some of the pay goes to the state for room and board, some helps support prisoners' families, a portion is earmarked for crime victim reparation and some of it is placed in savings accounts established for each of the prisoners participating in the program. Since 1996, Anderson has paid $7.3 million in wages."

Here is a link that might be useful: Inmates Build New Livers from the Floor Up

Oh good grief! I'm sure not all the inmates need new "livers!" Sorry for the typo!

Thank you. I love the floors, gorgeous!