"Cottage By The Sea": cottage flooring

26 May 2010

I'm Begging You Here

Does anybody remember this Serendipitous Post? That was back in the good ol days when we thought we were just "remodeling" our cottage. You know, like, new windows, pushing the kitchen out a bit, a fresh coat of paint. Oh, but then the project started to grow. And grow and grow. How the heck did that happen, you ask? What's that? You didn't ask? Pshsst. I'm gonna tell you anyway, because if you're taking this ride with me, I need you beginning to end~

Before I even figured out how to post a picture, (yes, I am my own trail blazer), I began a blog. I wrote a post just to chronicle for my family and friends what was happening over at the cottage. So here's how it was, way back nine months ago, when we thought we were going to move out for two or three (ha, haa, ha, haaaaaaa, ha, ha) months to make a few improvements to our abode. Have a quick look at this here post if you're brave enough. Here We Gooooo.

Way back then, I thought I was going to have to install new flooring over the ugly linoleum which, some Bozo misguided, previous homeowner had installed over the beautiful wood floors of the cottage. No offense whomever you are. Then, when we started ripping out the linoleum we had the good luck to find our cottage had originally been built using gorgeous hardwood! I couldn't believe this serendipitous surprise! We could just refinish these floors, and keep the integrity of the original cottage intact. Plus, it would save us a bundle of dough!

So, where are we today, and why am I begging for your help? Construction is brutal. It is not a game for sissies. It takes its toll on everyone everything involved. Walls were razed, beams were removed, windows were shattered and general chaos ensued. Nothing was left unscathed! My serendipitous find, my gorgeous, original to the cottage, wood floors were r u I n e d. I don't say this lightly. I cried. They were not the "happy tears" I originally cried when I discovered the floors. This is a sad, sad, story. I would totally understand if you had to sign off, bail ship, run away fast, NOW. However, for those of you brave enough, those made of solid sturdy stock, adventurous (and charitable), I need you now. You've given me advise and wisdom on practically every decision I've had to make over here at the cottage. You guys have become my sub-conscience, my artistic muse, my rock. Now I'm asking you to become... My wood guys.

Here's the Dealio.

The original oak hardwood floors were ruined. Not because the construction guys weren't careful mind you. "Anyone who knows construction guys knows how meticulously careful and gentle they are," she said, biting down hard on inside of her cheek.

We changed and reconfigured the floor plan so many times that, our little remodel morphed into the complete destruction and reconstruction of a fish cottage which has been completely gutted. We didn't add a lot of square footage. We just flip-flopped a few things rooms, so in short, the wood floors are gonzo. Now, (like in the next 24 hours) you, I, you and I, have to decide what type and what stain our new wood floors should be. K?

These are just a few of our choices. Believe me there are more. I just love you too much to burden you with them. So if you could just help me with any insight, knowledge, personal experience or opinions that you have I would be eternally grateful. As in forever.

Cherry? Often used in cottages on the East Coast. Typically stained with a dark finish so the grain just shows through.

Help me?

Hickory? One of the hardest woods around. Nice grain but when it is all layed down it has a really busy pattern. When I saw a picture of hickory flooring installed a little of the ADD in me came out.

Any thoughts yet?

Knotty Pine. A soft wood but, it has awesome, random knots, patinas to a warm burnished glow and nobody cares if it gets dented or dinged because, after all, it's knotty pine!

I'm begging you!

Of course there is also reliable, solid Oak. For those of you still with me, (helloooooooooo out there), we must also decide if we go for the original 2" to 3" planks, the more common of today 6", or the wide plank 7" stock. Just for the heck of it I'll throw in that I think we have nixed cherry or any very dark or red colored stain because we don't want to suck out too much light have to continuously clean a dark floor which would show every footprint or speck of dust, sand, dog hair. Of course, it aint over till it's over. I could possibly be persuaded in that direction. Not that I'm easily led. Oh who are we trying to kid here. Lead me. Please just lead me!

The light sandy stain, or the richer more golden hue?

Decisions, decisions. Holy... holy... all that is holy. Help me. I'm on my knees here.

This particular wood is EcoTimber. It is solid unfinished reclaimed flooring which we could stain once it is installed. This timber is old-growth wood. It is denser, more stable than new wood, without the environmental cost. This is reclaimed from an old building or structure somewhere out there. "Huh? What's that I just heard you mumble?" Kinda like the original wood floors that you destroyed weren't able to save during your construction project? Yep, just like those.

And (yes, I've just begun a sentence with the word and). And, if all these wood types and wood stain decisions are not enough for you, how about this?