I recently raised my carpeted sunken living room and installed hardwood. I kept the pre existing cherry border and had the new ash wood installed in the opposite diagonal of the surrounding hardwood. I think the border and the direction of the new boards really accentuates the space. I also have a border in the center of my dining room.

Before:

After:

I have no idea what your space looks like but perhaps a border of a different wood species would work,

Besides wood inlays, you can use metal inlays like brass. Install unfinished brass and have it finished and sealed with one or two coats of laquer. Keep it slim, 1/8"-1/4" wide brass bars is all you need. plenty of bling and lighter on your pocket.

badgergal, I LOVE your new living room!

(and your kitchen is one of my favorites too)

What else do you have going on in the house?

I have color & pattern in furniture, rugs and art, so I don't need to add extra "character" to my wood floors.

I did think about doing some herringbone in my wood floors in the dining room and foyer, but it would have been a waste of more expensive material/labor, as I have oriental rugs in both pf those spaces.

My engineered wood floors have visible grain and texture, which is enough "character" and fits with the Spanish-inspired design of the house.

You need a top notchNWFA installer for any of that. Your local ”floor guy” will just ruin everything.