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.

I think Riven refers to the texture of the surface. Ours looks and feels like real timber, and is not a flat shiney surface like most Laminex. Still very durable and water proof. I believe that it should only be used on vertical surfaces, which was not problem for us. Floors are a real personal taste thing. We got samples of the flooring and samples of the Sublime Teak, and then procrastinated for weeks. Our flooring has texture to it as well. We also had help form a great designer who worked in the tile store we used.

Did you decide which timber to use. Carpet squares work well just make sure the over locked edge isn't too tight as it will cause the carpet to curl up, you can also use sisal the same way which you can take outside and hose down. With your table and chairs on timber it's all a bit timber and would be an idea to just keep the two carver chairs at the end of the table and introduce some other chairs to soften the setting, could also be better chairs for little ones to sit in.

would like recommendations for the most realistic timber look vinyl plank or hybrid flooring. love to see any photos of finished projects. thinking of using karndean longboard lemon spotted gum. Australia. Many thanks