Don't forget that it also depends on the type of wood you have...some take stain better than others...I have red oak... I decided to do English Chestnut. In theory I love a dark floor but I worried about dust and maintenance and scratches showing. Another BIG factor was that I always do very dark funiture...so I wanted some contrast....The color did come out a little lighter than I thought, but I definitely don't think it's red bc I hate reddish floors...I'd say it's a nice medium, neutral tone...the dark tones really work well with the dark furniture. Here are some pix: This is when we first moved in...with our temporary old loveseat and rug, etc..it looks pathetic LOL..but it shows the floor with natural light which is how it usually looks...oh, it's a satin finish top coat

It's kind of hard to type with all that staining! I feel the pain! Yes, I did it by myself (wipe on, wipe off) for 1200 sq. feet of oak! EEK! It won't win any awards but the poly really made it look better...I used Fabulon and rolled it on, cutting in the corners with a brush...this week I have cabinets, a drywall guy coming to make repairs, and general fix ups...I plan on having the wood floor installer come back and buff for the final coat after all this work gets done...can I lay black tarp on top of the floor? Should I use butcher paper and tape it down? Or should I just leave it and hope nothing gets dropped on the floor (like mud from drywall)....thanks!!! Also on installing the quarter round, any preferences on whether to paint to match trim or stain to match floors? I have a built in bookcase and a fireplace hearth that would look weird with the painted trim coming next to it...is it common to mix paint/stain trim? And if so, do you prepaint/stain them before they're nailed in, then just putty the nail holes?? Tara

I used Epiphanes marine varnish. This is a spar varnish, which is different from polyurethane. The properties of spar varnish are that it is more waterproof and more elastic than polyurethane, but scratches easier. Spar varnish is tung-oil based. Spar varnish lends an amber tone so there is no need to stain. Many on this board will suggest Waterlox. Waterlox is essentially a spar varnish that has been diluted about 50% with mineral spirits, and possibly a little extra tung oil added in. The addition of mineral spirits makes it lay out nicely (ie: you don't see brush strokes). But you can achieve the same thing by diluting any varnish (polyurethane or spar) with mineral spirits. Waterlox is very expensive and depending on where you live, you might have to pay for shipping. So I would advise against Waterlox because of the rip-off factor. Epifanes is the best marine varnish there is. Don't get the spar at Home Depot or a home centre. It's not as good. I think it has less solids or something. After 7 coats of Epifanes, the varnish looks like GLASS it is insane. I am toning down the gloss down by adding "rub effect" over top. It almost seems a shame to do so given the truly remarkable perfect wet gloss, but it's not the look I'm after...Anyway, the Rub Effect stuff gives it a nice satin sheen. The rub effect stuff is actually just a polyurethane. Do a google search for "Bob Flexner" and "Waterlox" to get the scoop on Waterlox. I think some people are deceived into thinking it's some sort of tung oil miracle concoction, which it is not.

This furniture is wood chips compressed with glue, with a slap of cheap stain on top. It's awful given how much the pieces cost and how long you have to wait to have them delivered. The upholstered pieces don't hold up to real life either. I've also experienced dye fading in expensive PB towels and bathmats with the very first wash, while using a mild detergent like Cheer to protect the colors. The spots never stop appearing. Pottery Barn would not even consider taking them back. So I buy all household textiles elsewhere. Walmart has better quality towels. We shall see how these retailers fair in the next year or so, as the economy is changing rapidly, and how responsive they are to customers when there are fewer of them.