From the point of view of how we manage our time, which is unrelentingly finite, I don't find oil a practical seal for the traffic and spills of the kitchen area, unless you enjoy constantly tending something, cleaning and re-oiling regularly. Timber floor finishes have changed a lot in recent years. Polyurethane gives timber a distinctly tan/orange colour. Water based seals are a bit more expensive but far more durable in low sheen than polyurethane, and doesn't add that orange tint. If you wet a piece of your timber you will see a similar effect to water-based seal - it intensifies the marks, grains, tones and colour differences somewhat - just like wetting a dry rock or shell intensifies the marks and colours briefly. You can experiment on a piece of your flooring first before making a decision. Good luck with the results - I too think your flooring has great potential.

Thank you! I can't imagine I can use chairs featuring wood as there will be a lot of colours? Perhaps black is safe.

Hi anzella, loving the new table and chairs, because you live in North QLD I wouldn't worry about a rug under the table, apart from you climate I find rugs under tables can become very annoying . If however you do decide to have one down the track, Sisal Rugs are great for your climate, you can even make your own to whatever size by buying the sisal and edging it yourself or getting a carpet place to overlock the edges. Some years ago I made two very large rugs and edged them with a wide black tape, I stitched them by hand, loved them in the dining and joining living room.What a shame you can't have the hanging lamp in the picture over your table, not sure if it would fit between your ceiling fans. cheers https://www.dealsdirect.com.au/product.aspx?saleID=1774c795-993e-4615-afbc-f53a2e1dcab3&productID=ojiuDsjunkG1Vz9n7zBrLQ&sc=7&c=12&mkwid=siJYklREw_dc&pcrid=189771976719&pkw=&pmt=&product=ojiuDsjunkG1Vz9n7zBrLQ_6xX6Gc4vLkKMpQtba7S3jw&gclid=CjwKEAjwoLfHBRD_jLW93remyAQSJABIygGp4cKCQmlURqkE4IbUxZFOwwVQKSQHTM9Fx7Xllv1FvRoCWqrw_wcB

I've been playing around with a pantry location. Originally, I was going to move the pantry into the laundry with some custom shelving and cut the laundry space in half. Now, Im thinking of cutting into the study area and building a wall there, and converting the new space into a long and narrow walk in pantry. Either that or build half a wall and put built in shelving in the study. Building the extra wall will reduce the need to cover in the door way that is currently in place and instead utilising it. Thoughts? p.s. this isnt too scale.