I have a townhome I am trying to get ready to re-rent. I need to cut costs somewhere because I am having to make a lot of repairs, updates, etc. but I want something that resists stains, and generally holds up to tenant abuse. I have been advised that a tight weave Berber would be my best bet for the living room, stairs and bedrooms. And I was planning to use porcelain tile in the breakfast room, laundry, kitchen, bathrooms. I don't want to have to do this again in 2, 3 or 6 years. Am I making the right choices? Now I have a bigger problem as well. This townhouse is about 30 years old. The entry way is red brick, and it butts up against the living room on one side (carpet). I was going to have it torn out and replaced with the tile but every carpet/tile place tells me that will cost me a lot to tear out the brick, depending on whether it is a full brick or half brick and what is under it. Since I don't know the answers to these questions (don't know if there is a way to tell, do you?), I just had a thought (strange as that may be)! I know they stain concrete and paint concrete. Could I do something like that right over the brick?? What would this entail? Its about a 6x6 area. Any experts out there? or "been there, done thats"? [Its not flat. You know, the grout lines (mortar) aren't level with the brick.] Need some answers pretty quick. Have to get this thing on the market PDQ. Thanks.

Your inspiration photo has the board and batten on walls on both sides of the stairs. You're proposing to do only one side (or are you planning to put the same treatment on the handrail side?). If only one side, I think it will look lopsided. The photo also shows the board and batten going around two corners (and then we don't see anymore). You have so many walls and angles and corners and ceilings, I think even more visual confusion would be introduced. You do have a few decorating challenges in your lovely renovation, but I'd leave the b&b out of it.

We have a larger entry in live in a area with a lot of rain/snow. We have a good sized area rug in the entry and no issues over 9 years. We do have a carpet runner going up the stairs simply because I like the look and only installed it not too long ago as it wasn't a necessity. Often we use the garage as the entry and there is a long runner in that hallway where we enter there and no issues. We do have a boot tray in winter placed by the door. The front door is used daily to go to the mailbox and when company comes. I would find a great looking indoor/outdoor area rug if you go the hardwood route and are concerned. We have a thick wool rug. Still, no issues at all with the floor. Naturally, it's all personal preference and what you feel most comfortable with.

i can attest to two things: its more comfortable to fall down a carpeted stairs, and that its quite expensive to rebuild a stairs that has plywood underneath carpet, which i'm pretty sure is what you would have here. you dont have to have blah carpeting on the stairs, as you wont have acres of wall to wall that it has to match.... so....you can go wild a bit.