Hello Camille, I suspect that the problem in this case was from failure to follow instructions. The instructions say two coats, and in this case vixbath admits (in the comments) that they only put one coat on before the floor was exposed to water. I'm sure we've all thought we could get away with something like that (I know I have, anyhow) but it does mean this isn't an accurate reflection of how well Osmo works. When I did my worksurface with Fiddes Hard Wax Oil the two coats went on very differently. The first soaked straight in and the second sat on the surface. From the way the two coats behaved I wouldn't expect a single coat to be completely waterproof. Also, I am very pleased with the finish and scratch resistance of the Fiddes and would use it on a floor. You might find this helpful in making a choice even though it doesn't include wear tests (tricky to do though) http://www.peakoak.co.uk/guides/best-oak-floor-finishes-the-definitive-test/

Hi Charlie, we understand that choosing flooring can be one of the hardest decisions. The floor is one of the biggest surface areas in your room and can make a big difference to the overall look. As you're looking to keep things 'in a traditional style' and have a period property, we think a natural floor would be the best choice for your kitchen. We can't help imagining the lovely contrast a wood floor would make against the stone of that period fireplace too. If you think wood flooring is what you'd like then please be assured that engineered wood is suitable for kitchens. The stability of engineered also gives you the option to install underfloor heating. And, real oak can take withstand more than 100 years before it wears just 1mm. So even though engineered oak has a thinner 'wear layer' of real oak than solid wood, it's more stable and you can be confident that it will last you longer than a lifetime all the same. We've pasted some ideas for the parquet style that you like below. And we also have a guide about the benefits of engineered flooring that you might find handy: https://woodpeckerflooring.co.uk/blog/engineered-wood-flooring-benefits/ Hope that helps (: https://woodpeckerflooring.co.uk/product/goodrich-natural-oak-2/ https://woodpeckerflooring.co.uk/product/goodrich-coffee-oak/

That photo does look good, the two don't clash at all. I can't afford real wood flooring. I will either be having new laminate or engineered wood flooring, neither of which are something I would want in a kitchen. I also don't feel comfortable having something I feel would be more difficult to clean than tiles. It's a kitchen diner which opens onto our unusually wet and muddy garden. I have two children who create lots of mess. Just yesterday my eldest spilled some sort of hideous red goo all over the cream carpet upstairs! My other option is some sort of blue geometric patterned tiled floor. I haven't been able to find many affordable options so would probably only be able to do half of the room, depending on the way it is designed. Do any more affordable options exist? I found the optiks tiles at topps tiles which are just under £70 a square metre, so still too expensive for me. They are also quite a light blue and I'd prefer something darker. Are there any other options around?

Thanks to all who offered advice. The samples arrived and the space invader fabric was our favourite. None of the cube patterns were quite right. Do you think i could skip lining fabric since it is already so thick? I think it might be too bulky for a blind with lining too. The other thing I wanted is some general styling advice. I don't know whether I'm going to be able to pull off the look I was originally going for and i keep getting sidetracked by other things I also like. My original idea was a contemporary classic kitchen with a bit of an edge. So we have light grey shaker doors on bottom, then handleless white slab on top. Flooring probably wood effect herringbone vinyl. Walls will be off white and backsplash behind job will be very pale neutral zellige tiles. Handles will be more industrial style, I like quite a few from dowsing & Reynolds, probably in bronze so quite dark. Then there will be a built in bench with dark blue cushion on the seat and across the back. Table I would like something mid or dark wood and contemporary but I've also liked mid century style ones I've seen. And chairs are undecided but maybe black. Worktops are marble effect Quartz (white with grey veining) and an upstand and sink is undermount stainless steel. I have already bought pendants for above the dining table, they are patterned glass with a black ceiling cord. I can't tell whether I'm going to be able to make this work or just end up with an odd collection of styles which don't quite work and feel disappointed with it.