Grey wall: light, go with med floor, med, go with light floor. How light of a grey are we talking? Can you give us a name of something you're interested in?

Oh, I am such a newbie! Paint colour selection will be our next dilemma! We are thinking something like BM Barren Plain, BM Calm, CIL Touch of Grey, BM Cement Grey, BM Affinity Wish. Something light without blue undertones. Thanks!

Are those wood shades medium?

Lucky Dog - a Kelly Moore color is nice

I like the bottom floor and try to find a taupe grey or it'll look blue. finding the right grey is harder than you would think.

Look into maple flooring as it doesn't have nearly as much grain as woods like oak that are going to give you that old fashioned rustic look. It's much more epensive, but like you said, you don't want to do this again in 10 years.

Thank you all. Yes - we are thinking of a taupe grey. Want to decide on the floors and then move to the paint selection. At least we can get to sample to try out for that.

We were looking for a maple with some texture, but it proved hard to find. That's how we ended up with the white oak.

Floors should be the 1st & most important. I say the lighter, the better. I am so happy to see more people turning to the lighter floors. Now we need to get away from everything grey. Painting should be the last thing you do unless you just want to prime it before moving in. Paint is your cheapest item in décor. Good luck in your new home owning adventure.

I like the grain of the bottom one better. I would not recommend any red oak, if you are ever headed in that direction. I have it and would have preferred a more neutral, whiter color wood.

Thanks, everyone. I think we will go with one of the two floors (we like the bottom one too). Next we need to decide whether to go with 4 or 5 inch planks - too many choices! The paint colour is a whole other thing. I will definitely consult this board again when it comes to paint colours. I think we are leaning towards a slightly darker tone, thinking about getting some contrast. I'll post some pics once we have some samples up. Thanks again!

Have you considered hardness? We are renovating a 100+ year old home and decided to go over all the old pine floors. Ironically we bought the house because of the pine floors but 2 kids and a dog destroyed them in about a week. Our new floors are going to be hickory. Scratches happen but you should check to make sure that when scratched it dents. A few samples we brought home left a nasty white streak on the floor. As for matching-. Better to match the walls to a floor you like then vice versa. The floor will look unique in your space and its best to wait to choose a color!

Yes, we have. We were hoping to find something in hickory or maple but have now sort of settled on white oak. I think the hardness is ok and the finish is supposed to be dent-resistant as well. Thanks!

There is always bamboo, which now comes in many colors and finishes. It is so durable and will hold up to the traffic you mention. There are so many manufacturers now too, that choices should be optimal.

That's a great idea. Thanks.

Go lighter...area rugs can then make it what you wish later.

You stated that you want a light, bright, clean and modern look for your home and a wide plank quarter sawn oak will definitely complement your vision. Oak is a great choice for flooring because it is a hardwood and plentiful. One thing to consider with a light stained floor is that it can show black heal marks easily but the wire brushed oak should help prevent that. The process of wire brushing actually removes the softer wood fibers from the plank leaving the hardest parts of the wood along with a nice texture.

Moved into a condo 2 yrs ago, I agonized too ... ended up purchasing a good quality laminate at "Lumber Liquidators" ... showroom is awsome, they have large areas laid in their store and you can get a feel for the flooring. Price was right too ... I shopped for 2 mnths :)

Kids, Grand Kids? Dogs? Check out Armstrong Flooring and others for vinyl floors.

One of most popular selections now sounds like it could fit the bill of all the things you're looking for...wide plank , white oak, in an oil finish which can be re-oiled over time rather then sanding... spot treated in high traffic or pet areas... or let it wear naturally! It's not the wood that scratches - it's the finish. You can get it with a UV finish and a little bit of color if you like or stay natural, or white wash. Good Luck!

Thanks KE&CO, the Era Design collection from Appalachian is an oil finish and we are leaning towards that

I think you'll love it!!

Look at the Durango Line offered by The Masters Craft. There is a Natural Hickory and a Hickory Toast that I think would look great with your choices. If all else fails you can always go site finished!

Hi newbiev, how do you like your Appalachian floors? What color did you install and how do they hold up to wear so far? We are considering their Era Design maple floors with oil finish and desperately need a feedback on them. Thanks!