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Flooring Design Dilemma

white oak and red oak floor next to each other stain help

2 years ago

Hi. In our new home the landing upstairs and a few of the bedrooms are red oak, one of the bedrooms is white oak. I prefer the neutral look of white oak and i would like a light (not bleached) white oak look. is there a way to neutralize the red/pink in the red oak so that it will look cohesive going into the one bedroom that is true white oak. I don't want golden warm tones in the flooring. I also don't want gray. I'm in search of true neutral brown floors.

I'm not interested in anyone commenting about how warm red oak is traditional and classic and timeless like all the other posts like this on the boards. If thats what you prefer, great but thats not what I want.

I'm looking for anyone that has had this dilemma (i know there are many of you) and have successfully found a good stain option to neutralize pink tones in red oak. I've linked a photo similar to what I want.

https://wideplankflooring.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/19-RETREAT_WO_VWHITE_TREEHOUSE_VIGN3-437x590.jpg

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO bedrooms do not have to match eachother in desor or even flooring but if you want to mix these you will need to go dark for stain and I have not seen red oak dome to match white oak with a natural finish. Red oak is red and IMO no amount of bleacing white washing will take a way the pink.
Anna Cambra
Original Author
2 years ago
My only concern is the hallway flooring goes right into the bedroom. But really there’s nothing I can do about it except go dark you’re right.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
I love dark floors so it would not be a big deal for me and you could do the main floor the light color if you wanted if it is white oak.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
2 years ago
I don't think you will be able to get that light look consistently with red and white oak. You probably need to go with a medium neutral stain on all floors, one that has green tones in it. Green is the complement to red/pink, and mixing complementary colors neutralizes them.

I've had success with Special Walnut stain throughout my home. The floors in the original (1920s) part of the home are oak, not sure if red or white. The new white oak floors in the kitchen were installed in 2014; all are stained special walnut. Here is a photo of the transition area between dining room (above the saddle) and kitchen (below the saddle).

Flooring · More Info

The color is not too dark and not too light. Depending on the light it can look warmer or cooler. It's my "go-to" color for me and my clients for many years.
Timothy Winzell
2 years ago
I'd rather have the colors be close to what I want and live with the difference between the two, than to make the whole floor a color I don't want because it would make them match better.

Look at Bona Nordicseal or Naturalseal.

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