New Floors!

DH and I gave each other new/refinished hardwood floors for Christmas this year. We had hardwood floors in the kitchen, dining nook and entryway already. The living room and dining room had seafoam green carpeting, and boy was it quality carpet that just won't die. (Stains practically disappear into it...) We were able to freecycle it to a friend who put it into their basement playroom, which felt good since it was in such good shape. NOTE: we did not install that carpet, it was from the previous owners.

The prefinished floors were red oak, stained gunstock. They installed new red oak where there was carpet and refinished the rest. Then it was all stained nutmeg and sealed at the same time. You can't tell at all that it wasn't installed at the same time. They even got rid of the beveled edge from the prefinished floors.

BEFORE:



DURING:
Here is the progress two days later after carpet was ripped up and walls were painted. I know, we got rid of one green only to paint another. But, this time it is a modern fern green.


The contractors came and covered what they could with plastic. It was such an uncomfortable feeling to have everything a mess and covered up with the sheets. DH and I were glad to be able to stay at a friend's house while the work & varnishing was going on.



The new wood (red oak to match the existing)


AFTER:
Ta da! New floors. Trim is in progress. DH is doing that part. It looks white in the photo but it is pine that isn't stained yet (its just resting on the wall). We are in disagreement over the use of a shoe or not. We have to put a shoe in most of the areas where there was hardwood since the previous owners left a huge gap between the wood and the walls. I want it to go everywhere to be consistent. DH doesn't want to do all the work. Normally, we come to agreements easier than with this one. EDIT: we have shoe everywhere. I have the best husband!



The floors really look fabulous. The color is light enough to brighten the space but the dark grain picks up on the dark color of the woodwork in the rest of the house. I can't wait to have the project complete!