Further to my “What will this corner be” design dilemma posted on Sunday, Apr 11th - some wonderful Houzz suggestions were that we should consider rethinking our current flooring/carpet layout. The laminate is basically a wide throughway from our principal entrance to the rear of the house and out to our pool/patio area. Our furniture layout could expand more freely if hard flooring was the main flooring material and an area rug was chosen as our soft flooring option. Considering this, I’m now asking for input as to what design of hard flooring would work considering the following:

1. Our home is visually open to another main living area with beautiful mid tone hardwood flooring.
2. Our decorating taste runs toward traditional & classic choices
3. As our guests track in snow in the winter and water from the pool (powder room located close by)we'd prefer not to use hardwood flooring in this space. Wondering about luxury vinyl products perhaps? Another product that would compliment our upper level?