Flooring Options for Kelly
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 1:08AM 
Christine, I really need your help! We are buying a new home and the entire downstairs flooring is wood, EXCEPT a room next to the family room. It's currently carpeted in a very light carpet and being used for their pool table. Our plan was to have the room finished in the wood to match the rest of the floors. But sadly it's discontinued. We have looked high and low. You can see this room from the family room, entry and kitchen area so what in the world do we do? I have considered seagrass wall to wall, travertine and possibly a different wood in a contrasting color and maybe running a different direction or in a pattern. I just don't want this room to look odd. It needs to flow. This flooring will meet up to the current wood. I am including pictures that will show you how the graining in current wood looks and how the room is somewhat open to the family room. I am not wild about seeing a pool table all the time, so keeping it is not a must. It will either be used as an additional sitting room with an area to play board games, read etc or the pool table will stay and a sitting area at one end of the room. If you could PLEASE let me know what you think might work on the floors and how you would use the space, I would SO APPRECIATE IT!
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
I hear that sad story all too often. People want to extend existing hardwood, and it is discontinued. That's too bad. It is hard to beat hardwood. With that said, here are my thoughts:
1. I almost never like a bunch of different hardwood floors in the same house, especially right next to one another. If you could get a parquet or something that truly matched, that would be something to consider, but I kind of doubt you could find a really good match.
2. Travertine is super durable. I have it in my home with four kids and a puppy and have been thrilled with it. For a change of direction next to your hardwood, try a herringbone. I have always adored a herringbone floor. Remember this can come in many different colors. I would find something that has a subtle look next to your wood. Find a stone in similar tones.
3. I do like you idea of a sisal. It won't be as durable as a stone, but still a good option.
4. Another good option would be an Axminster Broadloom. Get a beautiful patterned carpet that looks like an area rug, but comes wall to wall. You can get great patterns in many different styles.
Years ago I worked with a client and we put braided rug in wall to wall. (custom job by Capel Rugs) It was pretty cool- a very "country" look. Her home was used in the old countrytime lemonade commercials with the grandpa on the porch with the grandkids.
Congratulations on your new home, it looks beautiful.
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