Carpet. Ugly, grey, literally-threadbare carpet. It is something we intend to get rid of, but carpet here isn't easy, in choice or available installers. But we'll go again with it, with something industrial-strength like we had at a previous house, a warm, dark brown most likely, to deal with the dogs and the dirt and the everything else that still manages to get inside past the mudroom.

Definitely depends if the ground floor is slab on ground or lightweight structure. If it is lightweight than concrete isn't an option anyway! Concrete is a hardy material, but it needs to be protected during construction. Timber integrates that warm natural feeling that can often make or break a home! What materials are being used for the remainder of the design. If there is already a lot of timber, it can be beneficial to incorporate concrete or tiles so that the timber isn't overbearing. If the remainder of the palette is simple white plasterboard, than the warm timber floor is often beneficial.

No matter what flooring you choose, it will still require regular cleaning from sand, pebbles, dirt, etc, but I do get your point. We have polished concrete floors throughout and our very long drive is topped with graduated sizes of stone, with the large area immediately in front of and surrounding the entrance having the smallest stones. They are always tracked into the house; the removal of shoes is not always a worthwhile option, which is why we chose concrete for its durability and easy maintenance. Sand would probably irritate me more, but I think that comes with the territory. From the bit you have described, Annie, your house sounds like it will be spectacular and in an enviable location. Cheers!

The skirting boards in pic are a meranti type colour as are the doors and architraves. Hubby does NOT want to change the colour or even consider white. Besides carpet what type of flooring could we lay that would still tie in well?