suewoman- No pics yet but the contractor put down a 3/4 inch plywood sheet and is then putting down the walnut perpendicular to the joists underneath. Nothing special. The planks are just over 3/4 inch thick. I hear some of the reclaimed stuff is 1/2 inch and so maybe that requires something different. Where are you? We were going to use reclaimed wood until we found the original stuff. There is a great store in NY's Hudson River Valley in Pine Plains. Do a google for Pine Plains, NY and antique wood floors. They have really nice stuff.

I have a center hall colonial. I have an entry light celing fixture. A fixture mid way down the hall and then the kitchen. Ceilings are 8 feet. I really like the vintage looks of the Bell Jar lanterns. I also tend to like water glass. Anyway, I was thinking for the kitchen I will either go with two hanging big bell jars OR I might go a totally different direction and go crystal chandelier- depends on how things work out once they are out together. If I do Bell jars in kitchen, its probably overkill to do them in the entry way/hallway- or not? Or is there some sort of complementary fixture someone can suggest. My door hinges/hardware are all being switched out to forged iron with white doors and black walnut wide plank floors. So I want a blackish tinge to the light fixtures metal I think. I will also have some satin nickel for faucets. Thanks!

What is your bottom step made of now? Can you faux paint it to look like walnut?

Can anyone suggest the best way to clean floors that have no finish at all? Once they are clean, I think we'll use tung oil. The original finish was Danish oil. We'll be getting a puppy in another 5 weeks, and it just hit me that we should take care of our floors BEFORE she moves in! I do not know what others will suggest, plus not knowing how dirty it is, (has grime gotten ground in) Could make a difference. I am also not a pro but have done my share of floors If it is fairly clean, I would go over it well with a shop vac, then I would wipe it down well using either Denatured Alcohol, or paint thinner, taking all safety precautions along the way, Remember these are flammable but quick evaporating. For my purpose, I would wipe it once, let it dry well, then I would wipe it down again letting it dry well. Then you can go ahead with your finishing If there is a section that is really dirty, I would sand it clean, then follow the above