Flooring

Linoleum: Easily cleaned, easy to walk on and almost indestructible, these floors will last a very long time

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Linoleum tiles are an excellent DIY project that can save money while making your home's floors like new. Create a midcentury modern aesthetic with no problem. Just lay down some tiles in a zigzag pattern of alternating colors

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What to consider Although cork is durable, be prepared to put in some maintenance. Crumbs, dirt and other detritus can scar its surface over time, so don’t go more than a week without sweeping or vacuuming. Cork also needs to be re-sealed with protective coats of polyurethane every few years. Alternatively, you can seal it with wax, which is less likely to scratch but must be stripped and reapplied more frequently. Some cork flooring comes pre-finished, although it still will need periodic doctoring to keep it in shape. Cork can bounce back from small nicks, but major dings—for example, sliding a table across the floor and taking a chunk of cork with it—are tougher to fix. Furniture eventually will leave permanent dents unless you place it on protective coasters to offset the pressure. As with carpeting, sunlight will fade it over time

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CORK: Its shock-absorbent structure translates to comfort underfoot—a real boon in spots where you spend long periods standing, such as in a kitchen or home gym. (That also means dropped glassware or china has less chance of shattering.) Plus, it holds warmth and muffles sound like a champ. Cork also has serious green cred. The trees gradually regenerate their bark after it’s harvested, and the harvesting process itself is strictly regulated in order to keep damage minimal. Because the trees can live between one and two centuries, cork is a long-term renewable resource. And if there’s an allergy sufferer in your home, it’s a dream material: It doesn’t accrue dust and contains suberin, a natural substance that fends off mold, mildew, rot and pests. Fans of cork adore its natural variations in tone and texture, which create a richness and depth that even the best manufacturers can’t replicate. If you’d rather go bold, cork can be dyed or stained any shade that suits your fancy.

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Hickory Engineered Floor - $6 2 The newest, thinnest engineered floors use an advanced tongue-and-groove system that locks them in place. These thin floors (usually called floating floors) can be placed over a cork underlayment or directly over an older floor. Though it does take some skill, floating floors are the easiest to install. But before you attempt to do this on your own, be sure you have access to a table saw and chop saw — and know how to use them.

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I just used Bona Naturale for the first time on some old white oak strip flooring. It is the least glossy finish I've seen, and based on Bona's reputation for excellent products and my observations using the product, I recommend trying it if you are looking for the natural look.

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Character White Oak with a super matte finish- perhaps Rubio Monocoat pure

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Unstained white oak plank: White oak floors in their natural state make a space feel so calm and serene. There's a casual and unfussy feel to this room that I respond to, and of course, the light floors make this space look lighter.

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When going with a stained wood floor, it's critical to consider the table's (or island) wood tone a as well.

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These wide-plank reclaimed wood floors are what I would die for — they're warm, rustic and inviting, without being too rustic. They still work well in a modern space.

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Reclaimed and stained. So now I'm feeling tortured. Clearly warm stained wood floors work great with black windows and white casing, too. There is no question that stained wood floors have a warmer feel, whereas the natural unstained floors are a bit more austere and serene. I think my split personality is having a tough time deciding, and I'm sure I'm not alone!

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Reclaimed wood floors. Reclaimed natural oak can sometimes look as if it's stained even when it's not. All that gorgeous patina add instant age and charm to any space. Who would want to put down an area rug on these gorgeous floors?

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Whether you opt for painted risers and stained treads or go with all painted, the black handrail takes the stairs from sweet to a little bit edgy. The black newel posts make a strong statement as well.

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Cooperage Flooring 2Fontenay offers a truly original collection of flooring that appeals to wine aficionados everywhere. Part of their Vintage Barrel Collection, these floors are made of wine barrels that are carefully collected and then milled into three separate materials for three separate collections. The Cooperage, above, is made from the heads of authentic and used wine barrels. Each and every piece of this flooring is completely unique — bearing the marks of its wear and tear from years of use. Genuine stamps and markings from the barrels are all incorporated into a Cooperage floor.

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Bamboo is an extremely stable material and it will last as long and wear as well as any wood floor.

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