Hickory!

I'm actually in the middle of the same exact decision. I had some stain samples done on hickory and I wasn't happy with how it took. It looked very watery, like the wood won't let the stain penetrate. I, like you, love the character of hickory, but I'm concerned that the stain color will not be saturated enough. I'm even shooting for a similar color to you. I love character grade walnut and would use it if it weren't so soft. Please update when you make your final decision. Perhaps you can help me make mine.

What color are your walls ? Any hard wood floors in the hallway ? Match that then.

I have natural hickory in my house-- my flooring installer said that hickory often doesn't take stain well. It's beautiful when it does, but I wasn't about to risk thousands of dollars and the look of my entire house. We went light with natural hickory and it's gorgeous--- and because of the color variations, every type of wood furniture looks great with it.

If you're set on the darker color floors, I'd choose oak.

I too, was concerned about the dark brown "hand scraped" floors being too trendy and going out of style. I got 3 1/4" hickory SMOOTH floors. They look like they are the exact color of the floor in your inspiration pic. I don't think ANY species of wood floor will ever go out of style. However, that hand-scraped texture really might go out of style SOON. I would stick with smooth. I don't regret my decision!

Do the same as kitchen

I don't think you could go wrong with either choice. I, personally, would go with hickory. It is harder and it has more variation in its colors.

We have had a few floors run at the mill a have hand scraped and finished them. The artisan done floors will stand the test of time. Many of the finishes at the big box stores only resemble the finishes. They do not duplicate them. Personally I would use the hickory.

needs an area rug in the living room

She wasn’t asking about an area rug. Some people!

cheri_swanson was 11 years ago......................