Contrasting or matching wood floor for newly joined kitchen/liv room?
austincaitlin
9 years ago
I live in a small, 2 bedroom 1939 bungalow in Austin. I just took down the wall between my tiny kitchen and the living room. The floor in the living room and the rest of the house is the original long leaf pine from 1939 ...beautiful, honey reddish tones. The floor in the kitchen is old, battered linoleum. Originally the idea was to put pine in the kitchen and try to match. Now the contractor is saying he thinks it would look better to do a contrasting wood -- perhaps bamboo -- because it will be difficult to match the old and the new. There is a difference in the height of the floors...the kitchen floor is 1/4 " higher - this can't be changed. There will be some kind of molding/trim that will join the two floors. We're concerned that a light wood will look funny with the darkish pine. Also, if the idea is to make the space feel large, won't contrasting wood do the opposite? Any suggestion? Also, should the slats be in the same direction or different?
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austincaitlin
9 years ago
Natalie
9 years agoHi---I recommend going with a tile instead of wood because there are differences in floor levels---having an entirely different material will make for a better transition. Delighted for you for taking out the wall-it's a Huge difference. Hope this is helpful. Good Luck!
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House 18 · More Infoaustincaitlin thanked Nataliejillbertsch
9 years ago
PRORousseau Reclaimed
9 years agoHi! From the picture you've provided your original floor does appear to be southern yellow pine. Fortunately, you will be able to match the old color/patina of your existing floor by using a reclaimed long leaf southern yellow pine. Just match up the widths of your existing floor boards to the "new" boards, as well as the lengths. (you don't want short, choppy little pieces).
Next, lay the reclaimed boards in the same direction as the original floor. Sand the original floor to bare wood, then apply a finish to both floors and I am confidant you'll be amazed at how well the two floors blend as one.
Here's an example of a reclaimed long leaf southern yellow pine floor I made:
You can also have the reclaimed pine graded to include more, or less, character to better match your existing floor.
As for the 1/4" difference in height in the kitchen, is it possible to tear out any of the existing subfloor in there? (I'm assuming the linoleum is already taken out and you're still 1/4" higher?) If not, then yes, a transition piece can be used and will look fine.
Hope this helps!
austincaitlin thanked Rousseau Reclaimedaustincaitlin
9 years ago- PRO
Rousseau Reclaimed
9 years ago austincaitlin
9 years ago
Carol Johnson