I don't think that running the floor a different direction in the sunroom would look strange at all, especially given that you have a natural transition point in the french doors. The hardwood in my house changes direction between the living room and the rest of the house and the transition gives definition to the space. I would do the transition with a single board the width of the door jamb with the turned boards slotting into the groove in the threshold piece. I happen to like the look of a turned board underneath a door where the two rooms aren't a continuing space, such as a bathroom door. My house also has a wood floor continuing from the living room into the sunroom (no door) and over 80+ years, the house has settled slightly and there is a slight slant to one board over the transition between basement and crawl space If the subfloor construction is sufficient that direction isn't an issue, I would think the hardwood would go across the width of the room, perpendicular to the ceiling. But, that's just my opinion and worth what you paid for it!

I enjoyed reading all the commentary. I learned alot especially about the use of varnish. It is an old school finish that uses resins to protect the wood with the added benefit of a leaving the wood with a lovely patina as well as adding a drama to the hue. A comment up the chain aptly likened it to the look of wood on his boat. In addition to varnishes I love using gel stains when i want to add a stain. The viscosity or gel quality allows longer curing period and therefore enough application time to greater control than regular stain products. I have also had excellent effects with gel stain on painted wood. If you work with it the look mimics wood quite convincingly.

Thank you for all the feedback. It is really helpful. We really don't plan on going anywhere, which makes me think that I need to choose what will make us most happy for living her another 20 years. I suppose we can take the paint off down the road if it just isn't working out. The contractor wants to get the ceiling painted first before floors and cabinets just because it is easier for them. But we can tell them we want to go slow. I have my heart set on the wood floors and we found something that all 7 of us (hubby and 5 daughters) all like. They are all really wanting to try the painted ceilings too. The girls are ready for a house change (teenagers) and so I think we might just go for it. I found these photos from another log house remodel that look like what we are aiming for. The sink we have now is an 1920's farmhouse that I found at a flea market. I love the look but it is really stained beyond what we can afford to repair. We've been "test driving" it to see if we want to invest in the special sink base we would need. But it hasn't been very comfortable to use... stains easily, small drain, dishes chip easily even with a grid in the bottom. So we are going to put in a new farmhouse sink and keep this one for a work sink elsewhere.

I really like that floor plan, by the way.