Well, your options are really: 1. Carpet: I would advise against for the reasons you stated and for it may undermine the look you accomplish with the hardwood at the first floor. 2. Hardwood: I am not clear why you are concerned with floor being noisy? Are you referring to squeaky floor or to a material that does a poor job deadening sound of foot falls? If you are worried about squeaking floors, the problem is with the sub framing and HDWD will actually stiffen the stairs, if anything. 3. HDWD with carpet runners, as indicated in the post above (very nice, BTW) 4. Stone: slab (preferably) or tile flooring at the stairs (with or without a carpet runner) is also an awesome look, but unless you are using stone in the floor leading to it, it will look out of place. I hope this helps! Good luck with your project! Please post pictures here showing progress and (of course) end result.

I've just come from a showing where an old timber house was lifted with downstairs built in modern with all polished concrete. They also had a concrete kitchen bench but kept upstairs traditional with VJ board walls and ceiling and carpeted floors. In my opinion is did not work, was a confusing mix of industrial with traditional. It almost felt cheap as if the builder couldn't be bothered to spend more on timber floors or even tile - even though the polished concrete could very well have cost more. I think dark timber is definitely your best option as it will blend better with the cornices and skirtings. Hope that helps.

Yes oklouise, understand about the skirting(now), I figured out the skirting boards technique after the fact, a little late I guess. Apparently it was one of the things missed at the local stores where the "advice" comes from the professionals. I was invited by one of the "professionals" to sit down at a table(where the apparent consultation happens for whatever project one has), and wasnt informed of that. Among several other things. He was very convincing though, I must give that to the "pro" at that supplier.(holme depo'). In fact, the "pros" at the local suppliers are like, I dont know, as experienced at these sort of things as I am at flying the space shuttle. I guess I could offer an astronaut advice that he/she try, "give a LOT of gas before take off, once it's in the air, try auto pilot, it will keep shuttle floating smoothly, eliminating the need for any button pushing till ya get back into earths atmosphere". But obviously I am only guessing at that. And I assume if I worked at the local coffee shop by the flight school, where I were to be around "flying" people, I'd possibly develop a knack for the language, then if I were to put forth the effort, I am sure I'd be capable of convincing(carelessly), anyone who stopped there for coffee that they could hop in a plane and fly, no problem. Especially if my job selling coffee depended on that. Well, that's the sort of thing the "professionals" do at the supply stores here; )lows, H-D, AZE, etc). Not to mention half are younger than anyone I've ever known to be dignified with the distinction of "professional". I would think time on the job doing the actual trade(flying) would be factored into that category. So, although I actually appreciate your advice, not really what I was looking for. But thank you for taking your time to try to help. It's just that I feel the "go to local supplier, seek the professionals" thing can be used for just about anything on here.

No-one seems to have brought up what , to me , seems like the second most logical suggestion ( admitttedly , without knowing the planning rules ) . The logical still seems to be to sell . Failing that , I'd look at extending the study , taking in the courtyard , alter the internal door ( suggestion - a single door on the 'right' side of the existing study doors area ) , add an ensuite ( relatively easy as the existing bathroom is just through the wall ) , and make that room your master bedroom with en-suite . Move the ranchslider , or add a roof to floor window , to get natural light into the new master , and possibly add a skylight or two above the dining room , as it will lose the ranchslider . Not perfect , but if you go up it will be costly , there are engineering issues , matching materials , new roof , all sorts of logistical problems . 'My' suggestion cuts down outdoor space , and may exceed the building to land-size ratios , but its so much easier building , engineering , roofing , plumbing and materials matching wise , gives you all or most of the space you are after , so IMO way more bang per buck . Having said that , only you know your priorities , budget and what you are happy to give up to gain .