I really recommend staining samples. My builder stained 9 samples before we finally found the right shade. I started out saying I wanted Special Walnut and when applied hated it. I wasn't using Oak as the base wood though.

I ended up with Modern Walnut from Zar's Wood Stain. It looked better on the pine I was using for window trim. I'd share photos but we haven't actually done the windows yet. Also, using pine changes things of course.

I used Dark Walnut on our floors. It's not that dark, as you see in the photos linked below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Another GW thread w/photos

My kitchen cabinets (shown below) are QS red oak, done in Special Walnut (after a light wash with a yellow toner).

Also I have read that if you are putting a dark stain on oak, (especially on flat sawn oak which has a more pronounced grain pattern) you should "water pop" the wood before staining it. This will make the wood absorb more stain, and make the final color between the two types of grain in the oak more even.

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I am trying to decide between which Minwax stain combo works best on my red oak floors.

I am leaning towards the 50/50 Dark Walnut + Special Walnut but am afraid it is too pale and will not have enough warmth

• 50% Dark Walnut + 50% Special Walnut (bottom-middle)

• 2/3 Special Walnut + 1/3 Dark Walnut
(top middle).

• 100% Dark Walnut top right.

What did you decide on?