Go shopping for the hardwood, and bring home samples. Whatever is CLOSEST will probably work. If the narrow hallway is fairly closed off from main areas? Consider replacing it with the new. There isn't a better or different way to do it.

Thanks for your response! I took a look at my hallway, and the end of it (where it meets the other hall/kitchen/living space is uneven. This layout of this condo (lots of weird angles, a big curved wall in the living room) doesn't make anything straightforward!

I have been wondering if I should try to get a coordinating floor rather than a matching floor. one idea we had was to match it to the cabinets; another that our realtor suggested is to do a grey flooring (possibly vinyl tile)

But if I try to match, is it more important to match the plank width (3 1/4 inches) or the colour?

Before you decide to put hardwood in your bedrooms, you might want to check with your condo association to see if it is even allowed.

Because of noise rules, it may not be.

Then if it is allowed, before you make yourself crazy with sample matching, you don't you just call the people you purchased the condo from and ask them about the flooring? Maybe they remember exactly what the flooring is.

If they don't remember the color, they may remember from where they purchased it, which gives you a running head start.

If you can't locate them, try and see if there is a building manager or someone like that. He may have recommended that place from where they got the flooring, or may remember the truck or the installers.

I have found that people that work in buildings like that are like Madame DeFarge, they see and know everything.

@loobab, as long as the hardwood also has area rugs, she should be fine. In our condo, we're required to cover at least 75% of the hardwood with rugs. Check your HOA rules.

Thanks for your input Sabrina and loobab, I appreciate it!

Our condo rules are fine with putting down hardwoods, but that's an excellent point. In our case we just have to put down an underlay that has a certain specification (72 something, it's pretty standard in our area).

I am worried about going crazy with sample matching, and I really want this project done sooner than later.

**silly question - is it possible that, if one could pull up a section of the flooring, the manufacturer/make of the floors might be stamped on it somewhere?**

The floors would have been put down at least 2 owners ago (the most recent owners being my parents, who I know didn't put them down), so I'm not sure I can track down the old owners. I'm planning on contacting the building developer on the off chance the floors may have been original to the building (c. 2009) and, on the Very off chance, they have some details archived somewhere. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Great idea, phone calls and emails sure save traipsing all over town!

i've since tracked down the original development website & the description of the upgrade options. i'm convinced these are original to the unit, and I've put out a batcall to the developer who I think still manages a bunch of units. Fingers crossed they a) get back to me and b) at least can give me the name of the manufacturer (given that these floors were an option in the 3 buildings in my development). In the meantime, shaw floors website has a cool feature where you can upload a pic and get some colour matches. The lighting quality is a big factor, but at least it provides a starting point. Good thing I like detective work lol!

Clever girl!!

Wait for the info.....or.........Go shopping. .........bring them home. Decorate in haste ? Repent at leisure.

(in answer to your earlier question, match the color not the plank size, of what you have.)