@amandagesme: low gloss, natural colour with WIRE BRUSH finish is the MOST FORGIVING option. Hand scraped "sounds" cool, but I find it looks artificial once the floor is laid. The tool marks often "line up" from one plank to another so the finish looks artificial.
A "wire brush" or "distressed" finish are the GREAT DISGUISERS of wood flooring. The company will add stain and then prior to sealing the floor they will distress the colour with wire brushes, chains, etc. Once the floor has been distressed they then pile on the finish. That means the look of the floor is already "aged". There is very little dogs and kids can do to ruin a "wire brush" finish...because it is already "ruined"...at the factory. The only thing they can do is pee on it. That is the only way a dog+kids can ruin the wire brush appearance.
Q
