Check out www.wideplankflooring.com They provide good info. We just installed radiant heat under pine boards ranging from 4 - 12 inches wide. All the info on the web advises against doing so, however we talked with people who have done it with no troubles. We are keeping our water temp. around 100 degrees. I think some of the horror stories probably had very hot water flowing through, like 180 degrees. The newer radiant heat systems run cooler water. The floors have been installed for 2 months now, the heat feels great and I haven't seen any signs of cupping, etc.

Hey, everyone! Thanks for your advice! We'll be changing the cabinets to white shakers. They definitely look like it would be a good match if we go with a lighter cabinet. I'm not sure about the floor material, but it was stained before. I've been running some looks, and I can't quite find a tile that I think looks too great here. We're considering trying to extend the floor, but we'll need to take a piece over to get it matched at a flooring store.

A lighter oak may be a good fit - especially with lighting, see below for some options. As for kitchen, a light or dark stone like this may be good depending on color your choose. I like to have varying surface visuals between kitchen/living.

I believe you JUST had the floors refinished is that correct? The time to 'add more wood' is before you have the wood refinished. Yep. You would have had it all done at once. Since you have the wood RECENTLY finished, you are in a bit of a bind. You can add more wood to the kitchen...but then you need to redo parts/all of your existing wood. Oh...dear. It is near impossible (it can be done but the pro needs to be SUPER diligent about colour application, wood selection, etc) to get a perfect match to the existing wood. That's why everything should be done at once. As for the stark white/gray/black scheme you have going on, you will want to add COLOUR. Wood is a nice way to add depth of colour but it isn't going to solve the 'laboratory kitchen' you have. I LOVE red...but that's me. You can use blue (like the colour of the pot in the kitchen) as a BACKSPLASH or you can use colourful ART or you can use wall paint to add colour. Your home's colour scheme is helping you 'see' the 'sterile lab' of your kitchen. A new option for paint (in the kitchen) and new lighting will certainly do wonders. But pick a colour FIRST. Choose a theme for your kitchen and then work towards making it your 'kitchen colour'.