Pictures of the inside of the home?

This is how it looks now - in progress! New cabs will go to ceiling, bigger island, trash in island, new table, etc. :)

We did Early American on red oak and are very happy with it! From the color chart, it looks less “orange” than Gunstock but perhaps you want a browner color. I think Provincial was one of our samples and it was too red, but you have to try it on your floor. Special Walnut is similar to Early American but Dark Walnut is darker. We put in some new flooring as well as refinished existing floors. I thought that the unfinished red oak was pretty but the flooring guy warned me that a clear stain on red oak would look pink. I think red oak can be tricky to work with but we do like the warmth it brings to the floor and the look of the grain.

Thank you, Carolae! Your floors are beautiful but still close to what we have now. Hoping for a true brown. And your dog is the CUTESR!

cmbpmb, What did you decide? Our floor guy is doing samples tomorrow. We are hoping for a more warm brown, but definitely brown - not orange/gold. I've been thinking special walnut may be the way to go, but I'm worried it won't be what I want and then I'll have to rush to a decision or hold up the project... It's frustrating that these decisions have to be made so quickly.

RTseattle - STILL deciding! It's between Provincial or Special Walnut. We have the stains on for a month to decide. :) We did a mix of gray and provincial and it's def more of a brown/brown but I think it somehow falls flat with the gray. Good luck!!!!

Thanks for the reply! We decided to do four samples today and we'll see how they look. Special Walnut is my projected winner, but who knows? Online photos vary so much from real-life, not to mention the difference in lighting in different rooms and homes and even areas of the country. Floor people are doing Special Walnut, Dark Walnut, Weathered Oak, and 50/50 Special Walnut/Weathered Oak. I found a photo I love with that mix, but it's on white oak. I'm curious to see what it looks like on the red oak. Good luck on making your decision! How wonderful to have a month!! :)

Here are our samples if it helps! Would love to see yours - sounds great! From left to right (or bottom to top) it's the Provincial/gray 50/50 mix, Provincial, Heritage Brown (that came out WAY darker than the little sample pic!!!) and Special Walnut. Special Walnut comes out really light here but I feel like it will darken when on the entire floor. Can't decide! It's why I had them come in and do samples so early!

I like the one all the way to the right. I also love your natural floors without any color added.

I like Special Walnut on the far right, too. No surprise there! :) I like that it doesn't darken the grain lines as much as some of the other stains do, and yours is not the only photo where I have noticed that. It looks a little more even, and I like that. Of course, lots of people want the oak grain to really POP, and in your Provincial sample it certainly does that.

Here's one thing to make note of RTseattle... I initially had the exact same impressions you did. But then I realized the particular board where the grain really pops stops before the boards in the Special Walnut sample. So while I do think SW is more subtle - I think it's also a function of the particular grain of each board. (If that makes sense)

cmbpmb, yes, that does make sense. I agree that it looks like a more subtle stain overall, in addition to being placed in a less busy area on the grain in her photos. Special Walnut seems like a popular stain - it is easy to find photos online and it seems to be the same effect in most of the photos.

RTseattle - How are your samples looking? Any decision? Can’t wait to see your finished floors!

Hi there cmbpmb, yes I think we have a decision! Here are photos: a view of my kitchen with original floor (red oak with no stain, Swedish finish). The floor was gorgeous when we first had it done 13 years ago, but yellowed/ambered over time and I did not love that.

Here are the samples after the floor was sanded. Duraseal: Dark Walnut, Special Walnut, Weathered Oak, 50/50 Special Walnut/Weathered Oak, 50/50 Dark Walnut/Weathered Oak. Stains listed top to bottom.

Wow! I think what you chose is just perfect!!! I may have to try that combo too! Please post after pics. I just know you’ll be pleased!!!

Thank you! I will remember to post again when it's done. :)

How did your floors come out with the 50/50 dark walnut /weathered oak? I’m considering this for our red oak.