Are you sure there is a mix of red and white oak? I've never heard of doing that in laying a new floor. They will look vastly different as they age. The white oak will turn toasty pale brown and the red oak will be darker and more red. I have clear white oak in my house with just poly on it. If you truly have a mix I would stain the floor with something to blend the colors together, but I wouldn't go too dark (I love dark floors, but they seem to show every bit of dust and pet hair, but maybe you are a better housekeeper than me).

Pictures would help but right now I'm thinking light floors with the espresso furniture would look best - esp. if you like the grain showing more. Maybe a light stain? Don't use tung oil (or any kind of oil) on floors - it really doesn't hold up to traffic or liquid. I have linseed oil and beeswax on my stair treads, we don't even wear shoes in the house and it's a constant battle. I plan on varnishing or polyurethaning the treads after the latest coat of wax has worn (and I have to use naptha to make sure all the wax is off) and we have a week when the kids can go to grandma's.

My cousin used Waterlox varnish on his wide pine floors (house built in 1743, though I don't know when the 2nd story was added) and they look amazing! A lot of people swear by it. Gloss will wear better than satin, but if you like the satin look, just use it as the final coat with gloss (2 coats) underneath.

I have red oak, new and 75 year old that butts up to the new section. We stained it, but used a satin poly which looks fabulous. Here is the link and the specifics.

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Oak old and new

Willowdecor,

I love Love, did I say love your home!!! We just finished a kitchen remodel ourselves, in fact we have no furniture in our entire downstairs or master bedroom right now due to the floors, and my inability to decide on a stain!

So I HAVE to decide this week.

I do love the dark floors. But we do have a dog, a rought coat jack russell so i'm sure no matter the color, the upkeep will be horrible...good thing i'm a neat freak!

Did I mention having your home as a disaster area is horrible?

I'll post pics tonight so you can see all the color variation!

Willowdecor, I love your kitchen and your rich dark floors.

dana, I am looking forward to seeing pictures of your floor. I am finding out that I have many types of wood floors that I love and I also love variation in the boards as well as rich dark floors when the furniture is light.

Oh my- Thank you DANA and LYNN and for your kind words about my home. Like you both, my home is a labor of love. I look forward to seeing your photos.

I am sure with the attention to detail you both are putting in, your spaces will turn out fabulous!
xxx-