Hey ya'll! So, I've been keeping a little secret from you. In the 9 months that I've been pregnant, not only did we renovate our entire basement, but we also installed new white washed wide plank hardwood flooring in the entire upstairs level of the house. And I've been waiting to share the story with you until everything was 100% finished. And now it's time...I can finally tell you the story of why we had to redo our upstairs floors after only a year. So, remember those brand new hardwood floors that we had installed last year? Well, about 6 months after they were installed, we watched in pure horror as our wood flooring started buckling, separating, warping, and turning an outdated shade of bright orange. Here's a closeup to show you what I mean. I tried to keep some perspective about it...it's just hardwood flooring, after all. But, I'd be lying to say I wasn't devastated. We had spent 3 months and a big chunk of money on solid wood floors, and I was quickly coming to the realization that something was terribly wrong. It was as if our flooring had decided to revert back to the 1970's. I'm going to put on a brave face and pretend like I handled this well, but there were lots of tears and a few choice fingers aimed at the floor. So, you're probably wondering what on earth happened. I don't like to speak negatively about anyone, so rather than getting all worked up about something that has already happened, here's the quickest, most painless way I can describe what unfolded. Last year, we hired a really bad contractor. I truly don't think there was any malice involved, and I would even go so far as to say that I think he meant well. But the truth is that he took 3 months to do one of the worst jobs I've ever seen. And after he left, it took us another 3 months to clean up the damage he did to our home, and finish the job he started. And then there's the fact that 6 months after having our floors installed they looked like this. In a nutshell, after talking to some flooring experts, we discovered that not only was our flooring installed poorly, but the quality of the wood itself was really bad, and that the topcoat used was far from ideal and caused the floors to amber really quickly. So, a few painful lessons I learned from this ordeal (that I refuse to be angry about in the hopes that they will serve me in the future): #1. Do your due diligence when hiring a contractor. Don't just take a blind recommendation from a friend or family member. Ask to see their work. Ask for a firm timeline. Interview multiple contractors. #2. Don't get talked into using solid hardwood from a local mill, even if you're told that it will cut your costs in half (because you might end up like us and have your floors warp and separate just a few months after installation). Buy your wood from a reputable business with a warranty. And I have to tell you, after this experience, I will never have floors stained or finished on-site ever again. Prefinished flooring is so much easier to install, much more durable, and you know exactly what it will look like after it's installed. and #3. Trust your gut. There were multiple instances while working with our first contractor when my instincts were telling me that something wasn't right. I was too afraid to speak up or do anything about it, and it ended up costing me a lot of time and money. Don't be afraid to fire someone who isn't doing the job you are paying them to do. So, now that my cautionary tale is out of the way, let's move on with the happy part of the story. Back in April, the basement renovation was in full swing, and we had just hired some new contractors to demo the poop tile and install that beautiful gray plank tile downstairs. This time, we did our due diligence when we hired a contractor, and as a result, we ended up working with some really amazing guys. They were organized, meticulous, a pleasure to have around, and their work was flawless. And as they had promised, they completely finished our entire basement in one week. So, after seeing how pleasant a renovation can be with the right contractors, we decided to hire them to fix the upstairs and handle the hardwood floor installation. We discussed all of our options for a few days, and ultimately decided that because the previous hardwood flooring had been installed so poorly, there was no point in trying to sand them and refinish the hardwood. The old floors would need to come up, the subfloors would need to be replaced (They should have been replaced the first time around but we were talked out of it.), and we would then install new engineered wood flooring. So, I spent about a week bringing home tons of samples. At one point, there were about 30 sample boards in my garage. And it was so hard to choose because everything looked so weird next to our horrible orange floors. It really threw me off for awhile, but after a week or so I had narrowed down my choices to 3 samples. #1 was my favorite from the start, with #2 being too orange and #3 being too dark. And that's a terrible iphone pic, but it's gives you an idea of what I'm talking about. So, I listened to my gut and went for what I've wanted all along...a wide plank white washed floor. I was determined to follow my vision, no matter how weird it seemed to anyone else. The below pic was my inspiration and it took a lot of searching to find something comparable within our price range. via Denison So, I bought a box of choice #1 and laid it out over our floors to get a better idea of what it would look like. And I was so excited...I knew we had a winner. It's called Beach Front Oak from the Coastal Urban collection by Primo Florz. They aren't paying me to tell you this, I'm simply including a link to the manufacturer so that you can find it if you need to. And so it began. Our contractors spent a few days ripping up all of the gross orange floor and replacing all of the subfloors. And then they began installing all of the new flooring. All in all, it took two weeks, just as they had promised. Can you believe it only took two weeks this time? Last time it took almost 3 months. And I don't even wanna talk about it. Since everything was finished so quickly this time, I decided just to show you the finished results rather than attempt to tell you about it while all of this was underway. So, here is how the upstairs looks today with the new flooring. It feels like a glorious new beginning. No more angry orange floors. All of our old living room furniture is being used downstairs, so I've decided to redo our upstairs living room (hopefully before the baby gets here). So, for now, only the dining room has been moved back in. I decided to use the pink rug in here for awhile. I love this thing, but tend to get sick of it after like a week, so I make no promises if it will stay. But I love it for now. I'm just so happy with the way everything turned out. It finally feels right (even though I got it so terribly wrong the first time). Here's a little glimpse of the hallway with the new flooring. And a glimpse of the hallway with the old floors, just to remind you of how much they sucked. We also used this opportunity to replace the old sliding door in the dining room with a new set of pretty french doors. To remind you, the old 1970's sliding door looked like this. It was a pretty sassy addition to any dining room, really. ...but one we felt inclined to part with. Nothing like spending a day with a gaping hole in your house. It's funny how a little thing like a door can make such a big difference, but there's just something about not having to remove a big stick from the floor every time you want to open the door that makes me feel so happy. If you've ever had one of those old sliding doors, you KNOW the stick I speak of. We also had the new contractors fix our stairs. I've never really talked about this (because...sigh) but the old contractor did a horrible job on our stairs. They were never finished and sounded like they were going to break every time you stepped on them. And they were also never trimmed out, so they pretty much just looked bad from day 1. I'll present you with the evidence. and another glimpse. I'm not kidding...that is how they looked when they were 'finished'. And this is why I'm choosing to leave a lot of words unsaid...because it's not even necessary. You have eyeballs. And now...the stairs today. I never thought stairs could make me so happy, BUT I APPRECIATE THEM SO MUCH IT HURTS. And here's how the upstairs set looks today. And another glimpse. The stair treads had to be custom matched to our flooring, and I was so thrilled to see how flawlessly they were done. And that's pretty much it, ya'll. That's the story of why we chose to redo our hardwood floors for the second time in a year. And with any luck, I will hopefully never have to think about flooring ever again while we live in this house. Feel free to laugh about the fact that it took me two redos to get it right in both the upstairs AND the downstairs. It's beyond ridiculous, I know. I intentionally waited awhile to tell you about all of this so that we could approach it from a place of humor rather than rage. Because there were times.... It's such a relief to have it all finished and finally be able to 'move back in' and resume our normal lives. On a sidenote, so many of you have been so excited to see the nursery and now you know what's been taking me so long. I've spent the last 9 months tearing my entire house apart. Now that everything is finished, I've finally been able to start on the nursery. For now, we've decided to use the old guest room at the end of the hall (the room with the dark gray walls). I'm currently almost 36 weeks and kinda wanna cry tears of relief that I've made it this far. The thought of making it to term seemed so far away for so long, and I'm so thankful to be so close to the finish line. As you can imagine, I was so scared for so long that I never really allowed myself to think about the nursery, so I'm just now starting to finally put the room together. And it's so much fun. Since it's still highly likely I could deliver her before her due date at the end of June, I don't know whether I'll end up sharing her nursery before she gets here or after she's already arrived. But, either way, I promise to eventually share it, because I'm very excited about what's going on at the end of that hall. But, if for some reason I decide to take a bit of a 'maternity leave' for the entire month of June or July, just know that I'm allowing myself a little time off and that I'll be back. I'm not going to try to predict or plan anything...I'm just going to relax and enjoy the moment. Thank you guys for allowing me to do that. 'Til next time! Follow my blog with Subscribe to LiveLoveDIY with email! Enter your email address:

Depending on who you listen to, painted flooring is either hot or it's out. That is the problem with trends and why I am not an advocate of being a slave to them. I see why bright colored floors may fade in a short period of time, but I don't think that applies to painted white hardwood flooring. Painted white and whitewashed hardwood flooring is still popular because of the on going love affair with the Scandinavian look whether it be Gustavian, French Nordic, or modern Scandi interiors. These interiors are more about a lifestyle and less about decorating. So if this is a look that you like and being on the trend treadmill is of no importance to you, then by all means pull out the brushes and rollers. Paint your floors white, and enjoy them to the fullest. The two antique homes that I have restored for myself both have had beautiful dark hardwood floors.While this is my preference, I do like a painted floor incorporated somewhere in the design of things. Painted hardwood floors have an appeal all their own and add an element of interest and surprise that breaks up the seriousness of the natural wood. It is much like the lovely antique painted furniture that is so pretty when mixed with pieces left natural. I would never paint over a good wood floor just because I have experienced how difficult it is to sand, stain, and finish hardwood floors. But old houses usually have a room or two where the flooring isn't up to par which makes them ideal for painting. And painting them white is a lovely choice. I hope the pictures I have gathered will inspire you to commit if you are toying with the idea of whitewashing or painting a floor white or in your home. Dawn Hill Antiques in New Preston, CT I understand that since flooring is the foundation of the home most homeowners want something that is stylish but won't be dated in a few years. I think you are safe with white floors because those of us that like old world style genuinely WANT it to look dated. White painted hardwood floors are actually classic.Throughout the Gustavian period from 1772 through 1809, floors were painted white in an attempt to mimic Italian marble floors. skarp.se Since brighter, white painted floors will reflect more natural light than brown wood, painting them white also had an unexpected benefit...... the rooms appeared brighter which was a welcome change during those dark Swedish winters. bloglovin.com White painted hardwood floors, that are especially prominent in Scandinavian design, improve with age. A desired patina is achieved by foot traffic inevitably scuffing and wearing down the paint. huisjekijken.com Wood flooring is a classic choice and I do love my 120 year old dark hardwood floors. However there will always be a place in the vintage home for white painted hardwood. hadleycourt.com I painted a bedroom floor in an antique colonial home that I restored in the 80's and I have to admit painting a hardwood floor was a big decision for me. How would it hold up? Could I keep it clean? I had no problem at all. Janet Parrella-van den Berg Many designers say that the white painted floorboards of the Scandi look is waning as people realize how hard it is to keep it all looking so pristine. This is not suppose to be a pristine look so if you are looking for flawless and immaculate I would advise you to sit this one out. Decorationsblog.com I cleaned and mopped my painted floor just as I did my other dark hardwood spaces so it didn't matter to me one bit. Just depends on the look you want and the way you want your home to "feel". ansleydesigns.com lovelychaos.typepad.com Many say they are attracted to the gaps that show up more on a white painted hardwood floor. kennan-glutting.blogspot.com I don't think I could go for all the hardwood floors in my home being painted white. I like the idea of limiting it to a single room or hall etc. White painted hardwood floors look great in this industrial vintage interior. inspiracionline.blogspot.com White painted floors will help a gloomy room or one that does not get much light feel brighter. via Pinterest If you have hardwood floors that need alot of work to restore, give them a quick makeover with white paint. Photo by Kasey Buick With heavy wear, over time, the paint will wear off revealing the wood tone beneath. Depending on your perspective, this can lead to a very attractive patina. heathertonhouse.com.au Small rooms like this cottage interior will feel bigger with white painted hardwood floors. homebunch.com This interior exudes "farmhouse fresh" and the white painted hardwood floors play a huge part in creating that atmosphere. inlovewithluv.tumblr.com Lovely French inspired interior with white painted hardwood flooring. apartmenttherapy.com I do think farmhouse, cottage, and vintage kitchens look good with white painted hardwood floors. This would be a messy place to have them though. You would need to have a mop handy!! cococozy.com hometrotter.it These white painted hardwood floors seem to bring on a relaxed feeling which is a huge part of their appeal. ourboathouse.com They are also conducive for a cozy atmosphere. lookslikewhite.com laserafina.com I'm not sure I would be interested in painting my main entry hall hardwood floor white but an upstairs or small less formal hall would get a thumbs up. desiretoinspire.net Now this is gorgeous to me. I love the soft elegance of this space and would love to start filling it up with French and Scandinavian antiques. via Pinterest Lovely vintage vignette made even more perfect by white hardwood floors. gracefully-restored.com I adore the painted staircase in this image. We restored all the hardwood flooring in our home. However, the back stairs had been painted before so I elected to paint them again just to add some character and charm. I love them painted! They wind around just like these, it's uncanny! Mine are not white or I would show a picture. houzz.com William McClure Even more traditional styled rooms can benefit from white painted floors. designthusiasm.com thingsthatinspire.net fomfest.com via Pinterest If you tire of white you can always change colors . Grays, soft greens, blues, aquas and even dark shades like black are pretty too. Another option is to stencil with a pattern. mysweetlifemoon.blogspot.com If you like a lighter floor but don't want to paint, whitewash is always an option. Many people prefer the whitewashed look because you can still see some amount of wood grain. elledecor.com Whitewashing your hardwood floors will create a softer and less dramatic look than hardwood that’s been painted white. White washing also shows off the grain and has a beautiful, natural look to it. zsazsabellagio.com Be still my heart!! The Scandinavian style floor has become associated with a wider plank and a whitewashed finish that still has a strong natural feel. These floors are becoming more and more popular. The handpainted grisaille work on the wall makes this a stunning setting. Remodelaholic fotogallery.donnaclick.it notapaperhouse.com India Hicks Painted white floors can go from country, to eclectic, homedit.com to modern in no time. It is all in the way you execute them. florskitchen.com Eclectic kitchen with white painted hardwood flooring looks fresh and bright with the bold splash of color. hippiehippiechic.com In or out, white hardwood floors are still lovely to look at, and it seems like there is something for everyone. Whether you choose to make yours weathered and worn, or glossy and varnished, you will be able to add a unique dimension and character to the interiors of your home. For a quick and powerful makeover give them a try!! Click here to see the previous post http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2018/07/decorating-you-home-with-classical.html This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer

Modern White Oak Flooring Ideas; durable yet beautiful hardwood flooring idea for your next home renovation!

Specifications Dimensions Size 5/8in. x 4 5/8in. Product Length (inches) 23.63in Product Width (inches) 4.72in Product Thickness Thicker Hardwood offers comfort, ease of installation & refinishing options. 5/8in. Box Width 5.31 Box Length 48.03 Box Weight 24.40 lbs Hardness Rating Wood flooring durability is measured by the Hardness Rating Scale, with a rating from 1 (low durability) to 5 (most durable). This rating scale helps you choose the right floor that will suit your lifestyle. 3 Janka Rating A Janka rating is a measure of the average hardness for a particular wood species. Janka ratings can be useful in determining the relative hardness and durability of different species of wood used in solid hardwood flooring. The higher the rating, the less likely the wood will dent. JANKA 1360 Details Material Solid Hardwood Color Natural Shade Light Edge 4 Side Beveled Texture/Surface The look & feel of products vary from hand scraped to wire brushed to smooth & high gloss, giving you a wide selection to fit your personal style. Wire-Brushed Finish Type UV Lacquer Gloss Level Matte Board Form Plank Core Type Solid Wood Number of Times Can Be Refinished The surface layer thickness approximates the number of times a floor can be sanded. Actual results will vary based on actual conditions and individual performing refinishing. 3 Elevation Grade Helps you determine at which elevation a product is best suited from basement to upper levels. On/ Above Species White Oak Installation & Warranty Installation Type Our varying choices of locking/float, staple, nail & glue installation types provide options to help save you time. Glue/ Nail Placement Location Indoor/ Outdoor Installation Options The surface for which the product can be installed upon. The surface should be clean, stable, and meet installation and warranty guidelines prior to installation. Floor/Wall Commercial / Residential Use Residential/ Light Commercial Minimum Acclimation Time The minimum required amount of time in order for the product to be acclimated to the installation environment. Please see the installation and warranty documents for more details. 48 hours Underlayment The use of underlayment provides sound absorption, moisture protection, thermal protection, and softness underfoot. 6mil poly vapor barrier is needed when installing over concrete subfloors. Please see installation document for more details. Recommended Installable Over Cork Underlayment? Yes Warranty Commercial and/or Residential manufacturer product guarantee to give you peace of mind. 50 Yr Res./ 5 Yr Comm. VOC Certification GREENGUARD Certified products are certified to GREENGUARD standards for low chemical emissions into indoor air during product usage. Visit ul.com/gg GreenGuard Gold Radiant Heat Compatible This states whether a product is compatible for use with radiant heat kits. See installation instructions and warranty for more details. No Show More Product Details This Riga White Oak Herringbone Solid Hardwood is 5/8in. x 4 5/8in. and has a 50 year residential/ 5 year commercial warranty. Available in a variety of finishes, widths and options, our pre-finished solid hardwood flooring will add warmth and value to your home. Hardwood floors are easy to maintain and can complement any decorating style. From oak to walnut to exotic hardwoods, we offer exceptional wood floors that will enhance the look of your home. Oak floors are incredibly durable and get better with time. Oak is readily available and has been a traditional flooring choice for over 100 years!

Exhaustive guide to hardwood flooring including types, species, styles, dimensions, edges, colors and more. Learn everything you need to know about hardwood flooring here.

Color: Laguna Construction: Engineered Hardwood Species: European Oak Thickness: 5/8″ Width: 9-1/2″ Top layer: 4mm Lengths: Random up to 7ft (Most pieces are 7ft) Finish: UV Lacquer Grade: ABCD Texture: Wire Brushed and Smooth

Many of you want to know if you need to consider your wood floor colour when choosing a paint colour for your walls. So, here’s my colour expert advice for what to do when your wood floor colour is no longer neutral and when you can ignore your wood floor colour.

Focus on longevity without sacrificing stability with this Harbor Mist White Oak Wire-Brushed Sawn Engineered Hardwood engineered hardwood! This floor has a 4.00mm t

Specifications Dimensions Size 5/8 x 9 1/2in. Product Length (inches) Varied 23.6in to 94.5in Product Width (inches) 9.5in Product Thickness Thicker Hardwood offers comfort, ease of installation & refinishing options. 5/8in. Box Width 9.76 Box Length 95 Box Weight 48.50 lbs Hardness Rating Wood flooring durability is measured by the Hardness Rating Scale, with a rating from 1 (low durability) to 5 (most durable). This rating scale helps you choose the right floor that will suit your lifestyle. 3 Veneer Thickness Veneer Thickness is measured in millimeters and refers to the top surface that indicates approximately how much sanding and refinishing the wood flooring can handle over its lifespan. The thicker the veneer the more times it can be sanded, and the longer the lifespan will be. 4.00mm Details Material Engineered Hardwood Color Blonde Shade Light Edge 4 Sided Micro Bevel Texture/Surface The look & feel of products vary from hand scraped to wire brushed to smooth & high gloss, giving you a wide selection to fit your personal style. Wire-Brushed Finish Type Aluminum Oxide Gloss Level Low Board Form Extra Wide Plank Core Type Plywood Number of Times Can Be Refinished The surface layer thickness approximates the number of times a floor can be sanded. Actual results will vary based on actual conditions and individual performing refinishing. 3 Elevation Grade Helps you determine at which elevation a product is best suited from basement to upper levels. On/ Above/ Below Species White Oak Installation & Warranty Installation Type Our varying choices of locking/float, staple, nail & glue installation types provide options to help save you time. Glue/ Nail/ Staple Placement Location Indoor Installation Options The surface for which the product can be installed upon. The surface should be clean, stable, and meet installation and warranty guidelines prior to installation. Floor/Wall Commercial / Residential Use Residential/ Light Commercial Minimum Acclimation Time The minimum required amount of time in order for the product to be acclimated to the installation environment. Please see the installation and warranty documents for more details. 48 hours Underlayment The use of underlayment provides sound absorption, moisture protection, thermal protection, and softness underfoot. 6mil poly vapor barrier is needed when installing over concrete subfloors. Please see installation document for more details. Recommended Installable Over Cork Underlayment? Yes Warranty Commercial and/or Residential manufacturer product guarantee to give you peace of mind. 50 Yr Res./ 10 Yr Comm. VOC Certification GREENGUARD Certified products are certified to GREENGUARD standards for low chemical emissions into indoor air during product usage. Visit ul.com/gg GreenGuard Gold Radiant Heat Compatible This states whether a product is compatible for use with radiant heat kits. See installation instructions and warranty for more details. Yes Show More Product Details Focus on longevity without sacrificing stability with this Pastoral White Oak Wire-Brushed Sawn Engineered Hardwood engineered hardwood! The durable core allows engineered hardwood to be installed on all levels of your home. A wire-brushed texture makes the surface of your floor have a naturally textured, antique look! Scraping with a wire brush pulls out the soft grain in the wood resulting in a real wood floor with added texture. Engineered hardwood is real hardwood that is highly stable and less prone to expanding and shrinking from changes in moisture and temperature. Our engineered hardwood comes in a wide range of shades, is durable and adds warmth and character to your home. Oak floors are incredibly durable and get better with time. Oak is readily available and has been a traditional flooring choice for over 100 years! This 5/8 x 91/2in. Pastoral White Oak Wire-Brushed Sawn Engineered Hardwood comes in a wire-brushed finish with a 50 year residential/ 10 year commercial warranty.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Floor & Decor. All opinions and text are mine. If you’ve been following along with our latest remodel journey, you may have seen our fun visit to Floor & Decor to choose the main flooring for the house! In this post, I shared several …

Hardwood flooring in the kitchen, you ask? Yes! We’ve paired one kitchen design with six different hardwood floors to help you see the possibilities for yourself.

Modern White Oak Flooring Ideas; durable yet beautiful hardwood flooring idea for your next home renovation!

Color: Sunset Construction: Engineered Hardwood Species: European Oak Thickness: 5/8″ Width: 9-1/2″ Top layer: 4mm Lengths: Random up to 7ft (Most pieces are 7ft) Finish: UV Lacquer Grade: ABCD Texture: Wire Brushed

Wondering if dark or light hardwood floors are better? We've created the ultimate list of the pros and cons of dark vs light hardwood floors!

Bentham Plank. Tamalpais is a full hardwood flooring service supplier and installer in the Bay Area, Marin and San Francisco.

How to refinish wood flooring for a Scandinavian style or lightly whitewashed look. Bona NordicSeal will allow you to whitewwash without harsh chemicals. These stylish floors have become more and more popular for coastal decor, farmhouse style and modern decor.

Wondering if dark or light hardwood floors are better? We've created the ultimate list of the pros and cons of dark vs light hardwood floors!

From pastoral countrysides to bustling Parisian streets, a rich history of romance in the modern world comes alive with French Connection. Made exclusively from European Oak, this collection offers a broad spectrum of stunning colors in both Oil and Urethane with Aluminum Oxide finishes. With balanced seven-inch widths, exceptionally thick 4mm wear layers micro-beveled edges, and a variety of different textures, each color achieves a natural, yet luxe look that is as beautiful as any French love story.   10.03-SF

This bright, expansive cottage in West Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard features Antique Reclaimed Solid White Oak Flooring with Hand Scraped texturing, in varied 5" - 9" widths. The reclaimed flooring is enlivened with Hardwick finish, accentuating the rich golden tones with a low sheen. Flooring: Solid Reclaimed White Oak Flooring…

Our aged french oak hardwood floors at The Forest Modern have that perfect worn look that will be timeless for years to come. Due to popular demand, I'm talking all about them today with sources of where to find them!

Wondering if dark or light hardwood floors are better? We've created the ultimate list of the pros and cons of dark vs light hardwood floors!