Cherry is a naturally reddish toned wood. It also naturally darkens with age. That means if you try to lighten it(bleaching), it will probably darken later.

I'd wager replacing the cheery with something you like is the better solution, both price and time wise.

I have bleached Brazilian Cherry but not done white pickle over the top. I have no reason to assume it wouldn't work. Bleaching would be required; it can't just be pickled. Here's a sample of bleached Brazilian Cherry sitting on top of natural color Brazilian Cherry. This sample is several years old. The left side has oil poly while the right has Bona BonaSeal (now ClassicSeal). You'd probably end up with more of a driftwood color. IMO it's easier and less destructive than tearing up the floor and replacing it. One challenge with pickling a darker wood is to make sure you don't get any cloudy areas. Cloudy pickle doesn't show up as badly on a lighter bleached wood, and make sure to use a non-yellowing finish.

Thank you for the feedback and the sample. I like the right BonaSeal color, the left sample is also good, better than red color to my eyes.

I think I should do some research to fully understand the terminologies here, things like cloudy, pickle, ect... now reading an article "what the heck is pickling?"! thank you again!

Looks like that article describes the basics, but stick with a true floor stain. It's better suited to floor work. To control the color, it absorbs into the wood and you wipe off the excess. The bleaching I'm referring to is done using a two part wood bleach (sodium hydroxide, aka lye, and hydrogen peroxide) that's mixed and applied to the freshly sanded wood. The Brazilian Cherry we bleached and did natural was intended to look more like a Teak floor. If you want it lighter/whiter you would bleach it twice, apply the white pickling stain (wipe it off, let it dry) and apply coats of clear.

Voodoo bleaching snd staining will likely cost more than replacing it. And it’s a shame, because that gray and white look is already trending out, and normal wood tones, like cherry, are becoming hot again. You have what people will consider “perfect” in about 18 months time.

I charge $5.50 per square foot. Good luck finding someone to remove your old floor, buy and install new material for less. ;)

is there professionals from houston, tx area here for this job? I measured the existing wood floor 2200 sqft.

another question is: what is going to happen to the quarter round and T molds? should they be replaced or they will be sand and bleached?