they've also stained a small area where our fridge is going to go and this area looks like the sample. unfortunately it's right beside the hallway and doesn't look like the hallway.

I agree, in photos the area under the fridge looks richer but photos can lie. Have you asked the flooring people? Why was this area stained separately anyhow? It looks like the rest needed the stain to sit slightly longer but that’s just an armchair call.

thank you. the area under the fridge (and a separate area where the oven will go) was stained first (and by a different employee) so they could then move in the fridge and oven in and then stain the rest of the floors. the fridge and oven were delivered early so are taking up floor space and needed to be installed before they could stain everywhere else. the appliances are getting installed this week. I'll be speaking to the flooring people this week, just worried that if we apply a second stain now something will go wrong.

You mentioned the wood species varies, do you know what is there?

i am by no means a wood expert, but it looks like you have cherry and white oak or birch in there.

What was the flooring company’s plan to make all of the species look uniform?

different woods take stain different due to porosity? Looks like the flooring for appliance might have been one variety and the other flooring might have incorporated randomly?

My daughter just installed maple and oak blend and is going for the muliticolor look when she stains the floors......also some woods have a definite high low stain look; thinkink hickory.....I like your multi color look; it actually enhances the herring bone effect of the wood pattern....but that is just me....but yes, talk to the flooring people.

Different species of wood take stain differently and reclaimed wood has other issues like how old, where was it before , there are way too many variables with reclaimed wood I see the light color and the red in the sample as for the piece under the fridge my guess is the kitchen is being installed before the rest of the floor is done and that pattern for flooring often looks different board to board and IMO hard to put furniture on all the time.This is a brand new wood floor laid in that pattern all one species. IMO reclaimed is best done very dark almost black if you want a more uniform look.

High variation in color is to be expected when you go with mixed species. Even more so because it is reclaimed wood.

Also, you need to factor in the lighting. In the first picture, natural lighting from windows is flooding the room vs the refrigerator niche being tucked back in shade.

Your appliances should have been delivered/ need to go to storage until after the floors are finished. Staining is just one step--managing top coats & having to move appliances will be a nightmare. I am really surprised that the floor finish people are willing to work around them.

Reclaimed multi species material will never ever be a uniform look. The wood’s natural color will always come through any stain attempt. You’re not painting it.

I have no idea why these floors are being done in the order that they are being done, with all of the obstacles and impediments in the way. Floors are installed well before cabinets and appliances. Then protected. If site finishes like this, only the last finish cost goes on after r dry thing is uncovered. All the messy stuff happens without things getting in the way and getting unavoidably damaged.

When site finishing wood floors, stain samples should be applied to the unfinished floor so that you can see how the stains look on your exact floor. You should never approve a floor stain from a loose sample or color chip. In your case, given the variation, I would have had the installer stain 3'x3' squares in at least a few different stain colors or blends of stain colors. This is a beautiful floor. If you are unhappy with the color, I would invest in sanding and restaining and working with the refinisher on site to get the look you want.

If the OP lives in Queensland, I expect those are some kind of eucalypt, so that variation may not mean a mix of species.. I had spotted gum in a previous home, and there was a lot of variation between boards even though they were all one species - just the nature of that particular beast. Also, a lot of eucalypt species lean naturally towards the red. My floors did - and I never worried about the coloration at all. I happen to like those floors (except for that corner bit). Like others, I don't understand why all the floors weren't done at the same time. I'd be asking a lot of questions, starting with whether these guys are specialist flooring people.

Thanks everyone! This has been incredibly helpful. I'm disappointed as originally we asked for the floors to all be made of Queensland walnut but we were told that if we used these boards instead it would be more environmentally friendly and they could stain them to look just like Qld walnut. I based the costly decision on a small sample and now clearly that's not the case. I'll speak to the flooring guys and ask how they think we best make the floors closer to the walnut colour I was after. I suspect they'll suggest to apply a second coat. they were originally meant to lay the floor first (before the kitchen) but their organisational skills were very poor and they delayed by months. We also paid 3000 for them to level the butler's pantry floor and it's not level. kicking myself for paying so much upfront and feeling stuck. thanks again. Very grateful for such a kind and helpful community!

oh and about the species - It’s a mixture of Spotted gum, Blackbutt, Red and Grey Ironbark, Brushbox, Red Gum, Rose Gum, Messmate. It’s reclaimed from the Gladstone pipeline. in hindsight I should have known that many different sources wouldn't stain homogenously. I was too trusting.

I know it's not what you wanted or expected, but personally, I'd embrace the history and natural character of those floors rather than try to turn them into something they're not.

Floor needs to be water-popped before applying the stain. That will help get it darker. Alternative is applying a fumed stain and then the walnut stain. Stain layering will cost you more.

I think your floors are gorgeous. Not like every other room on this site. Just beautiful
with a lot of texture and natural beauty.

Once some area rugs are added and your furniture it will bug you less . I find it a lot more interestin than a floor all the same color.

The variation in color and grain is THE star. As it should be. I find it sad that you don’t appreciate it for what it is. You cannot turn it into something else. But you can ruin it by trying to mask those natural variations.

I rather like the look. If one buys herringbone, they're not asking for a background floor. Inquire with your floor people how much those species will darken with age. Applying a second coat of stain can cause finish adhesion failure so I'd be inclined to have finish applied and enjoy it as it is.

Thanks everyone, your insights have been very helpful. It is a beautiful floor, and I do love that we've used reclaimed timbers even though I wasn't as well aware of what the final product would look like as I should have been. We had a particular vision in mind but everyone here has helped me see that this floor has its own beauty. We'll leave it for now and live with it and suspect (or at least strongly hope) it will grow on us. if it doesn't we can always sand and restain later. Some really good points about not trying to make the floor into something they're not, cleaning dark floors, and issues applying a second stain can cause, has helped solidify the decision. Thanks again everyone!

I like these floors. So much gusto!

Please learn to love it as is. If you want uniformity.........that would never be your selection. Do not attempt to turn a gazelle to an ordinary elephant.

There’s nothing ordinary about elephants :)

Those floors are so gorgeous and unique!

I think they are beautiful! Truly.

I'm still struggling with the colour, and for the kitchen /dining room the flooring company scratched up the whole floor. updated photos attached. the company said they'll buff out the scratches.

OP - I'm no pro, but I don't think you need to worry all that much about furniture and certainly not about art clashing with those floors. I probably wouldn't put something really light like birch with them, but I don't think you really need to be limited by the floors. With my spotted gum floors, which had a fair bit of variation and a reddish tinge, I had a mix of Danish teak, blackwood (very similar to the teak), a dark walnut piece and an antique mahogany china cabinet: they all seemed to live quite happily with the floor. Area rugs also change the dynamics and create some separation between floor and furniture.

As for art, buy art you love - it doesn't need to match anything, and certainly not the floors!

I'm not seeing any scratches in the FINISH. What I am seeing (a little bit in the very close up shots) is some sanding swirls. Those don't "buff out". They are underneath the finish. In fact sanding swirls are underneath the stain.

Considering these floors come from old wood that has been reclaimed, it might be worth your time/patience leaving the swirls and asking for a discount. With a low-gloss finish that you have, it is very hard to see scratches in the finish.

How many coats of finish are on the floor?

You may want to try a green stain... this diminishes the red tones.. consult with a high end paint
store.. and be very clear what your goal is..

thanks all, so far there is no finish on the floor, just one coat of stain. it was stained 7 days ago. we're waiting for them to return and put a satin finish on.
I haven't heard of a green stain, I'll ask.

If, you're not thrilled with the color. Have them re-sand and re-apply the stain. There are sanding aspects that needs improvement-particularly the buffing. Now is the time to redo it, not when the finish is on. You're expecting more value for your money. If, the contractor has a good reputation, they won't have a problem with it. Only question is can they meet your expectation: provide the color you want, quality craftsmanship and a good customer experience?