Have the finisher do a small test area.

we did have a test area of 2’x2‘, but it doesn’t have such a big wood grain variation. I only saw this today after the sanding job.

Tell your finisher you want the pale raw look. They will figure it out.

I think it looks really pretty and a clear coat will look really pretty.

Thank you, Boxerpal. I just worry it might look too rustic with this much variation...

Hi G&S, I came across many your previous posts during my research. my floor guy will use Loba. But he does not recommend custom mix. I was told that I will have problem when I want to parch repair in the future.

Hi Beth. thank you for the feedback! The Floor comes with the house. 1st floor, 60’s. 2nd floor about 15 years old. Downstairs has abundant natural lights, I am doing Bona provincial. Upstairs is a little dark, so I want light color floor.

I agree with Beth. The floor is the main event right now, but when the room is furnished it will fade into the background.

Bona Prov. will look like this

Bona Nutmeg

what about the Nordic seal after whitewash??

If, you don't mind the pink and since, your guy uses Loba. If, you want to maintain the pale raw look. Use Loba Invisible or similar products, such as:

Bona Naturalle

Ciranova Ecofix Woodlook Plus

Pallmann Pall-X Pure

I agree with him regarding custom blends. It is a pain to repair.

The images Beth has shown are of white oak floors. There will be a color difference.

G and S, yes, the last one is. the 2nd to the last one is on Red Oak. The two darker ones are actually red oak (pic 1 and 2)

Thank you everyone for your feedback! Here's an update: we will go with Bona Provincial Stain + Pallmann 98 for both floors. I did more research, it seems a consistent wood color throughout the house is preferred by the market.

I do like the pale raw look, it has a modern vibe I aspire to get. I also like the wood in general, hate the painted millwork. Provincial on red oak seems warm and also give me the contrast, as my house is mainly painted SW Alabaster/Pure White except for the dark master bed.

If I was able to replace the whole floor, I would pick white oak, wider plank, higher grade and do a clear coat from Loba Invisible, that's it. That will give me the look I love. This is refinishing existing aged floor, my floor guy said there will be imperfection, such as dark gap lines, mineral deposit, variation in color from previous patch repair. He suggest to have a colored stain instead of clear coat.

Fingers crossed!

I think the floors are beautiful. (and I love the dark green)

please post a pic when done, I'd love to see how they turn out!

So glad you decided to stick with one color throughout your home. Very Wise.

We love Bona products.

boxerpups (my old wood floors)

We ended up with 3/4 English Chestnut 1/4 Ebony. Bonakemi

Boxerpal, I love your floor, warm and welcoming!

Hi Beth, yes, I will post pictures once done. So glad we are near the end of the renovation!

Hi guys what is this stain color? I have white oak just sanded, want to achieve something not too dark, greyish taup or like this one. If you could recommend the stain for both.

@Lana Shulman Are those three the same floor? The second looks like a white oak with a hardwax oil mix of neutral or smoke layer then covered with white or frost. Look at Rubio Monocoat or Pallman or Ciranova inspiration pictures with those shades. The 3rd picture looks very flat like Bona Natural on a hickory, not whitewashed red oak. If it is red oak, it has had a pink blocker put on it.

Lana, that's a red oak (in your first pic) with a natural finish.

have you looked at Bona finishes?

This is Bona Nordic Seal on Red Oak

Bona natural on White Oak

This one is DuraSeal-Rustic Beige on Red Oak.

With the white oak, you won't get that 'pinkish' tinge that is visible on red oak.

If you like the Bona, make sure your floor refinisher person is trained in how to apply this product.