Lucky you, living on the beach!
My guess is that having sand ground into them on a regular basis will ruin both floors.

I would do tile at the door.

Perhaps a wood-look tile that matches or coordinates with your new floors would be an idea?

Is there a defined foyer area? Maybe you could define one (if necessary) by laying the tiles on an angle?

I have no interest in the linked company, but I've seen similar tiles used in a home I visited, and this was what popped up in google. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: wood-look tiles

You might want to consider stone or stone with wood inlay for a home on the sand. Wood will not only scratch, but be sensitive to moisture and humidity.

+1 on the stone, as always sand is going to make it's way in off the stone too. You could make it a rule that no one wears shoes in the house?

I was thinking about making the "no shoes" rule but I really don't want to be enforcing it all the time. And I'm the worst offender of all.

What about slate for the floor since I want it to be a bit dark....has anyone used that?

Only problem with stone is that it gets cold when the fog rolls in, stone floors seem cold to me. But I may be stuck with them.

Forgot to say there is no foyer or entryway. The front door opens right into the open living/dining area. I've been puzzling over trying to create one, but the rooms are small and even a low table would look odd.

This is a small bungalow type cottage, built in 1926, but I'm not sticking with cottage decorating. Mixing a bit of it in with contemporary and it is rustic.

Anyway.....

After seeing the age of the cottage I am going to change what I would have said . I wonder where the original floors are ??? Weren't they/are they wood ?

I would put down reclaimed original wood floors or use the ones in place. I know you say you want them dark but I think that a "whitewashed" look on the old wood is what would have been original to the beach...hides the sand. I have been in cottages with the old wood and the sand just adds to the patina and doesn't ruin them at all. Sweep it up and keep going.

I agree that the tile would feel cold and it will scratch too over time and you won't be able to fix it except to replace. Also the dark will show the sand . With the lighter wood floor the sand is just part of the house and you don't try to hide it... it just is. c

I am using Stone Floors and I think it is better than Wood. may be I am wrong but Few things are good in my mind that are Stone are cold not hot in summer and we save from fire with stone floor.

Here is a link that might be useful: Liquid Rubber

We have the same issues as you - waterfront with sand being tracked indoors. This is what we did in our gallery/foyer. The floor is slate with mahogany inserts. The mahogany matches that used throughout the house but is in fact ceramic tile for durability. After 4 years, lots of traffic (this is our only entry) including dogs, the floor looks like new! In your situation I would definitely consider slate. It is casual, textural, and durable.

Unfortunately the original flooring is ashphalt linoleum, at least in the living room. My husband tells me guests would drive their model T Fords to the house, pull out the car seats and sleep on them in the living room.

Perhaps a light wood would work, the living/dining walls and ceiling are reddish dark redwood with no stain. So they come off dark. I'm considering staining them lighter (maybe taupe/driftwood), but every guy says don't touch them "you can't get clear redwood like this anymore".

I would have to change my kitchen plan since that requires a darker floor.

Sis, your floors are gorgeous, do they run through most of the house or just the entry. My house is definitely more rustic and cottage like than yours.

My only gripe with stone is that it feels harder on the back/body after long periods standing. And it can chip.

This link will take you to a photo of the paneling, of course all the crappy furniture is going away. It is currently carpeted in a lighter color, so I guess lighter color works. There is too much staining on this carpet to keep it, everything shows.

There are other photos of the interior and exterior here too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Interior redwood paneling

Especially with your modern/rustic look, Hollie, rustic wood floors, painted or otherwise, that only enhance with wear sound like a very good idea. No matter what you put by the doors, let's face it, sand'll be tracked all over the house. Trailrunner's suggestion to make sandy floors a comfortable feature is a wise one, including going lighter and using a dense, moisture-tolerant wood and finish.

As for the redwood, smile at the guys and do what you want with the walls. If only all the people who put dead wood on a pedestal felt the same way about it when it was still alive...

From what you say you are willing to go with wood on the floors and a more casual look. rosie and I agree. Your space is crying for casual comfortable floors that are easy to care for a " soft" to the tread of bare feet.

I know there are lots of blogs out there with the whitewashed walls and slipcovered canvas furniture with the bare floors and throw rugs. If it were my home that is sure the direction I would take it.

I would start with the floors and then decide about the walls. I have never tried to cover up wood like that except in a den in our other house. I used a textured wall paper that looked like linen and covered all the 70's paneling. It was gorgeous and everyone loved it.

As far as I can tell from the photos the views are the most important part of your home. Incredible and ever-changing. I would pick a palette of colors that mimic the colors you see outdoors. Use them to add small touches here and there and simply undress the inside for the most part to show off that amazing view. Hope this gives you the courage to do it. Google beach houses...etc and see what some of the bloggers are doing . I think you will love it...lucky you to have such a wonderful home. c

Thanks for your suggestions and I agree that I want comfortable, easy floors. I'd considered painted fir but thought the sand would take off the paint in no time. But perhaps I could just touch up the paint?

I could try honey color wood floors that are already dented (can't remember what this treatment is called), but dark wood or grey is "in" right now, makes me feel not with it.

You can't tell from these photos that the living/dining room ceilings are also redwood and fairly low. I will be vaulting the living room ceiling so will get a lot of white or similar color and space from that.

I am trying to be less cottage/beach style since this is now my permanent residence, no longer our second home. I will have good size rugs, but no more wall to wall carpet except in bedrooms. I tried the white slipcover over sofa but it is such a hassle to wash that big thing, my upholstered sand color sofa holds up a lot better than the white slipcover.

The views are definitely the focal point and I'm thinking a lighter wood color could make the view stand out more, like you said trailrunner, undressed. I'm thinking everything should be clean lines and simple. Maybe a lot of sand or sand/grey colors.

I think I'll just plaster over the fireplace, don't know what color, nothing to make it a focal point. There will be much less furniture in the living room.

There is another view into the patio that is nice (mostly seen from kitchen and guest house). Although unplanted this year, it's quite nice and patio will be redone in stone, probably tan/grey/off white quartzite...steps too.

Ideas appreciated!