There's a pre finished product called DecoWood, aluminium substrate with a wood look finish. This is from the web... The advantages of using DecoWood™ cladding instead of timber include: Easy installation: aluminium is lighter than timber and therefore easier to manoeuvre in the installation process Low Maintenance: aluminium never requires painting or staining like timber does, saving time and money Durability: DecoWood™ aluminium is more durable and dimensionally stable than timber meaning no warping, twisting, splitting or rotting like timber. Plus, it won’t need to be replaced as often. DecoWood™ is a powder coated wood grain finish based on photographic images of real timber. It has been tested for its durability in international extreme exposure locations where intense UV radiation, salt spray and industrial pollutants combine to create the worst possible conditions, and complies with all relevant Australian and international standards.

For any coating to adhere properly to the floor it will need to be sanded back completely. Lime washing the floor is always an option, but it is more expensive. White floors will always show more dirt and will require more maintenance to look their best. The floors you have would look beautiful sanded and polished. Staining the floor slightly darker is always an option as well. For help with your decision take a look at our floor sanding blog. Enter staining floors or liming into the search. Different looks can be created by choosing gloss or stain finishes as well. http://budgetfloorsanding.com.au/ Hope this helps with your decision.

Timber with timber can work brilliantly, and it's in keeping with the mid century style you want for your home. This room (below) is a little similar to yours, albeit with less of a pitch to the roof - the large feature lighting helps to break up the expanse of timber on the ceiling. You have a lovely open plan area, so I'd be inclined to use rugs to create zones and a cosy feel. Rugs reduce the impact of a large expanse of flooring material. They have the benefit that you can swap things around to change the look and layout at little cost. I think one trick may be to define your "walls" carefully, and paint these before you go with a new floor. This should give you a sense of whether the timber is overwhelming, and how to balance it. E.g. You might decide it works best to paint the kitchen cupboards to white, to give you a more seamless look and work with your new counter tops. If you want to experiment with the "paint ceiling" approach - gulp, it's a big one!! - then maybe that small section above the kitchen bench, at a different angle to the rest of the roof, could be the spot. It seems to have the same horizontal line as the wall, so even if you don't like the painted look for the whole, you might be able to get away with blending this into the walls. Best of luck!

One room in my house has wide boards from the 1960's but sadly the previous owners had put down modern style narrower boards at the far end of the room. They are obvious as dog's proverbials. Not to mention totally the wrong colour! I suspect the window may have let water in and the previous wide boards got damaged. I haven't been able to find replacement boards as they are 'out of fashion' apparently. Yet, here you are showing me they are now 'in fashion' Who knew!