I think unfinished 2 1/4 inch Brazilian cherry is still available. It may be a little hard to find, but I found this on the web. I have no idea of actual availability, or whether this is a reliable company. Brazilian Cherry

I don't think what you posted will look good. While it's ok in your mockup, you are ignoring that the wood won't line up on both sides of the threshold.

And I wouldn't go to tile.

I dont know about not going to tile. Here is a perfect opportunity to go to something water resistant if not waterproof in the kitchen. Because the odds of another kitchen flood are not zero.

Are you saying that insurance has approved all new wood in the whole downstairs area? If so, I'd take that opportunity to go with a different, lighter wood that better matches with the cabinet color you want. Even if the floors are in good shape, they are 30 years old, and hardwood finishes have improved over time.

We kind of went through this same thing, patching up a large piece of cherry flooring after water damage. It was very old American Cherry in an unusual width like 4.75” with no way to match.

For only 62 sf that you need - have the wood floor contractor have custom width boards cut (they can cut down wider boards to match what you have) and tooth the new pieces in. For matching up the grain/color/heartwood you may have to buy much more than needed, sort through to pick out each board you really want before having them ripped to the exact width. Yes its a pain to do it this custom way and probably easier for the insurance co to replace it all than try to write a spec & get prices for excellent (expensive + fussy) patching work.

For our own damaged floor we let the patches age in place before refinishing the entire house, cherry changes color quickly and we waited until the new pieces darkened up. It all looked good in the end. Also wanted to mention - for our patches they ended up using a prefinished cherry floor even though the floor was site-finished, knowing whatever factory finish was on the patches would be getting redone. At the time the unfinished cherry available didn’t look so good, had to use prefinished and strip the finish off.

Thanks all for the ideas.

Kempek, thanks for the link for 2 1/4; will get further clarification from floor guy.

Lori, the flood was a leak in the wall, so floor, subfloor, and crawlspace insulation all got wet. Anything would've had to be ripped up.

Cali, yes, they'll pay for new wood. Don't think husband wants to change color though, and I'm not interested in same color cabinet/floor. We would refinish present floor as packout, etc., is covered.

myricarchitect, thank you for your thoughts, and another good question for the installers.

I would tile, trying to match would drive my perfectionism to the brink

and while i don't like this transition from tile to wood, something like this could look amazing

Lincoln Square Kitchen Featured in House Beautiful · More Info

In the DC metro area, there are salvage stores such as Habitat for the Humanity Re-Store. They have new and used construction supplies at good prices. Another store in MD, Community Forklift, has new and salvaged building materials at reduced prices. This website https://communityforklift.org/resources-and-inspiration/reuse-resources/ provides other Re-Use businesses throughout the country. Hope you can find the Brazilian cherry to match your existing flooring.

Hi Beth, thanks for the ideas. Yeah, I know the wood isn't rare; just no way to duplicate now. And again, it will shine with a refinish. I admit I like the cheesy retro-ness.

Countertops: I looked at Vanilla Noir at a store and liked it, but husband was all over the warmer Woodlands. Wish they'd had full slabs to compare. On floors, I'm leaning to tile + refinish the rest, but he tends to lean to "no change." (What's more no-change than keeping what you can? Oy.)

The white/ivory cabinets look cool, but would be too clinical in our small space (10x10 U-shape plus peninsula; no reasonable way to expand). Old countertops were black granite (Ubatuba?) inside those grease-trap wood edges, so we're used to the light cabinets/dark counters/dark floors look. Yay 1990... it'll be cool again any time, right? Along with all that mauve?

I think your plan to put in a transition strip and then dropping in new wood is just fine. You might be able to turn the planks so they run perpendicular to your old floor so the floor looks like it was 'purposeful'. Either way, I have no problem with it.

I like Jatoba...it has wild colours which is something I like. Even if you get some of the pink/purple in there, the change of 'room' will hide most of it. It will look like a 'trick of the light' because it is behind counters, etc.

I am also of the view that your plan is good. It may not be a perfect match, but it will be totally lovely. People have slightly "off" matches of wood all the time in homes (like, stairs that are the same wood but different process than the main floor) and it's lovely.

Like you, i would be horrified to live with the environmental consequences of tearing out ALL your floor. That would not be an option for me.

I would not do tile - i think that looks far more jarring and off than a wood floor that ends up being 5% off on the color match.

Agree with others above though that my first step would be looking harder for options for the narrow floor. I am sure someone sells it somewhere, or as said above, you could cut down boards.

You need 2-1/4"? Where are you located? I have some but it would likely be prohibitively expensive to ship such a small amount. I'm in West Palm Beach.

If the floor can be patched with matching wood, besides the color issue, you will have to decide how far to go with refinishing.

Were it mine I'd likely install Expanko Heirloom 1/2" thick cork over a layer of 1/4" plywood to make it flush with the existing wood. Natural product. Tough. Easy on your feet. Maintained exactly like the adjacent wood flooring.

SJ, I agree on the perpendicular solution and will see what can be done. Yes, the light and colors change through the day and that narrow entry is our friend.

H202, agree on the environmental impact. Why do it only to replace with the same color, and with less character? And no tile saves a decision, yay! I need to call around some more.

Timothy, thank you for your kind offer. I'm in California, so I don't think it would be practical!

I saw the glass blocks in the picture over your sink and figured you're either in Florida or California. Good luck!