We are using what should be the 4th bedroom on our second floor as (front half) kids bath, (back half, separated by pocket door) laundry room. The entire house, including baths and laundry will be wide pine floors.

There is a laundry forum, you might want to try posting our question there if you don't get any answers here. Good luck.

Maybe the OP can decide what size machines suit his/ her laundry room ;-) One of those Whirlpool machines costs more than the Miele, and both cost more than the Miele which comes to the market next month. I’m not advocating any particular brand, but the other significant advantage for the Miele in an older house is that it does not require a 220v receptacle, which every other electric dryer will. That’s another savings. An old house with stone walls and a slate roof is not without its challenges when it comes to adding amenities. That’s where I do think this particular appliance could make a lot of sense for you. Good luck!

I've copied & pasted a comment I made 20 minutes ago! haha Well... I could probably write 3 pages worth of nonsense, which would seem "tainted" because I'm in the business of manufacturing hardwood flooring. But the short version is... over the years, we've provided hardwood flooring for a number of clients, and have NEVER had anyone comment that it was the wrong decision. The consensus USED to be that carpet was preferable, because it was "warm & soft", however the test of time has proven that wood flooring is: A} "environmentally friendly" (being a product of nature...) B} Provides excellent insulation C} Much easier to maintain than carpet D} With the little bit of care needed, it will outlast carpet for DECADES, and with a bit of attention to product appearance/choice, it will remain "in style" almost indefinitely. E} MOST importantly... hardwood flooring is a stable product, which will not "SHED" all of the nasty acrylic/nylon/petroleum based fibers into the air, which is what we BREATH... (that which isn't sucked up by the vacuum cleaner). Most people attribute "dusty furniture" to DIRT... when it's a known fact that DUST is mainly particulates which have been collected by, or shed by CARPET. Okay... I'm done! haha