Here is a 2nd picture of the Red Oak showing white spots. Image link:

Isn't your contractor willing to do samples?

Hickory I believe it is Hickory. Hickory can be similar to oak in color but it does not have the intese grain and layers that Oak has. Variations in the grade of hickory can show different looking floors. So if you do a search for Hickory on the web you might see some far lighter or darker looks. Hickory flooring is somewhat of a mixture of woods. If you notice you will have some light pieces and some dark. That may be because you have different types of hicorky. True hickory and or Pecan hickory, Chinese Hickory, sand Hickory, pignut hickory, shag hickory, .... they can all show different color variation. Hickory is a hard wood. Really! It is hard to sand but it is a good quality wood that will last forever. Hickory used to be used to make baseball bats, canes, tool handles and anything that needed to be bowed. It can be flexible but still really strong. A great floor! Enjoy your hickory floor, it is beautiful. ~boxerpups

Does anyone have Mirage Red Oak Charcoal in their home? Do you like it? What are the undertones - brown red or brown grey? The Internet pictures are misleading. Are you happy with Mirage? Please post pictures if you can. I'm getting a sample board this week, but would love your feedback. Thanks!