I'd define "expensive looking" with the details. Basics -everything is completed, no unfinished edges, trim, etc -trim, even if simple, is properly installed -finished end panels (even IKEA offers them) -no obvious patches (like caulking over a 1/2 inch gap at the wall or random trim added to hide something) -adequate lighting (of any kind) "Upgrades" that might add some cost -deeper cabinet over fridge and side panels -paint on the walls that isn't white or very light "builder beige" -matching appliances (of any brand) -flooring that's not beige tile or sheet vinyl -most consider granite expensive, or quartz, but if you pick one of the new laminates make sure you don't have those lines where sheets meet at the edges. There are plenty of edge options now, and even squared off edges can almost disappear -undermount sink -faucet and pulls in whatever finish is big where you are (probably not 3 inch brass look) -if you have an outlet under the sink for the GD, an air switch for the GD. They are like $50 plus a hole in the counter if you are getting a new counter. Getting the hole might cost a lot if someone has to come out just for that. -colors/materials that look cohesive -lots of clear counter space -window treatments that fit in with the design Now, someone interested in more than how it looks might want more. But basically I think you'd want anyone passing through the get the impression that the room is cohesive, bright, not small, and not have anything that stands out as out of place or slapped together.

I’ve looked at so many floors I’m burned out. I should’ve done a spreadsheet like the author of this post. I originally wanted Flooret’s Modin line but I’m just not liking the 9” planks.. right now Provenza Moda is my front runner because of the 7” wide plank texture and long boards (I do NOT want 48” planks). Does anyone know of a brand that I should be considering?? I want SPC, do NOT want a pronounced pained bevel (but do like a thin bevel). Prefer some texture, want low color variation in light-medium brown. (Did not care for SuperCore or Paradigm samples)

I have bought and installed $3000.00 worth of smartcore pro 1 year ago in my unheated cabin since it said good for extreme temperatures down to 25 degrees below zero and Lowes said it was the best and only flooring that will work for me. The floor started to seperate in December 2020 at 19 degrees. Lowes said they can not help me and to file a claim with Shaw. Shaw sent an independent inspector to see flooring in March 2021. The so called independant inspector came and pretty much told me that his job is to find things to void the warranty so no claims get paid. He crawled on my floor throughout all rooms with a 6 foot level and found one high spot on my l floor that tilted his level uneven. I told him every house built has a joyce that is a little high or a little low. He agreed and said that he goes through million dollar brand new homes and always finds the same. He measured the space at edges an said some spots were too close to wall. I told him nothing expanded or contracted and its the locking that has failed. He also said the floor molding was touching the floor and that will also void a warranty. I told him there are no houses where the wall molding is not touching the floor and that no one keeps a gap below the molding. He agreed but said even if my floor did have more spacing and wall molding had a gap under it that Shaw would still void my claim since he found a joyce high spot. He left and I never had a returned call since March. I even offered to lift my floor and pay the $1.49 per square foot and to have it reinstalled by anyone of thier choice to prove it was not an installation problem and it is a locking failure problem with the flooring. I am a tipical hard working person that saved for two years to buy the best flooring made for my conditions. Shaw or Lowes have not even called me to offer me a solution or any compensation towards my $3000.00 invested. I do not know if my floor will continue to worsen but I do know it will not get better. I told the inspector that if Shaw really wanted to improve thier product that this was the perfect chance. An unheated cabin that temperatures go down to a couple of degrees below zero in the coldest part of the year. I have 8 rental proerties, a house and 2-cabins that I wanted to do all over with this flooring and now I can not trust Shaw flooring or Shaw customer service to correct the failure. My cousin is a contrator that build homes and works with hundreds of other contracors and said that he will no longer use Shaw flooring after he sees what happened to me. SHAME ON YOU SHAW FOR NOT FIXING YOUR FAILED FLOOR LOCKING PROBLEM. I or my cousin will never buy another Shaw product unless this is fixed by compensation or what I prefer which is to lift and reinstall new flooring by anyone of Shaws choice. The cabin next to me installed a cheap laminate flooring from Pergo at 1/2 the price and it has not failed under the same temperatures. I am out $3000 but you are out hundreds of thousands of dollars when contractors will not trust your products since you chose not to do the right thing.***SHAME ON YOU SHAW FOR NOT FIXING YOUR FAILED FLOOR LOCKING PROBLEM. Tim Sommers Mongomery, Pa. 17752 (570-220-8070)

I don't like the idea of LVP because of the environmental impact. I have been hoping that with technology there might be a super water resistant coating for hardwood floors. I have looked at Vermont Natural Coatings Super Whey 3500 which is used in commercial buildings, hotels, & restaurants. Vermont Natural Coating Whey water-based poly coating has been used on many sports/ basketball floors which do get lots of wear but not much water/ liquid spills that sit for at least 8 hours. I would never put wood in a bathroom. I have a semi-open concept home. The kitchen is open to the family/ great room so matching flooring makes the room look bigger and more elegant. The entryway flows into the back great room area so I prefer the main floor being the same flooring. I have seen how the water-based poly coatings on solid hardwood wears quite terribly over the years especially in front of the sinks, stoves, and refrigerators. Every design show makes the main floor all wood now unless it's in Florida where they use tile or LVP. The exception is the mudroom/ primary entrance from the garage being tile IF the main floor is hardwood/ engineered wood flooring. I have been looking at the new waterproof engineered flooring but many reviews show many brands have poor scratch resistance. See: https://www.flooringstores.com/blog/waterproof-hardwood-flooring/