If you have been following my Instagram stories or if you saw my blog post a few days ago, you know that we are getting all new pine flooring the main level of our farmhouse. I’m a little sad after all the word we did to reveal the 1800’s flooring, but Jose was right, it was so unsafe, holes everywhere, & were kind of beyond repair according to some flooring experts that came to look at them. Darn. So, we are doing the next best thing. We are instilling rustic wood floors ourselves. Now, I would have loved to find reclaimed wood to use, but we needed so much. So, new pine it was & we will have it tell our own story over time with every dent & scratch. The more vintage looking the better. Well, as of today the pine floors are now in the front living room, the back guest bedroom, & the dining room. We are waiting to put them in the kitchen until we get new windows. The dilemma? To paint or stain the new pine floors… it’s keeping me up at night for real…
Here is the front living room with the painted white floors that we just covered up [not pictured is all the holes & weak spots]…
Here is the front living room today still a mess from the flooring guy & terrible lighting at the end of the night, but you get the idea with the pine floors now laid…
& here is some inspiration I have been loving of stained pine floors…
& here is some inspiration of painted floors I love…
I feel like my cottage loving heart loves those painted floors with all my heart. I could keep going, but I will stop there. So what do I do guys? Jose says we should stain first & then paint if we don’t love it. I agree. BUT I would LOVE TO HEAR what you think! I will be back hopefully on Monday or before with stain samples and methods we have been testing out. I will also be showing you some more photos of the pine floors in other ares of the house & how they look unfinished now so you get a better idea. I kind of just wanted to come on here today to share what’s going on my in my brain. It’s a little messy, but I think by spilling it all out on here, it’s helping me organize what I want. Have stain color suggestions? Paint color suggestions? Share it all with me… I would love to hear! Let me know what you think in the comments below, find me on Facebook, & chat with me on Instagram. xx
The stained floors in the stairs pic are to die for! So beautiful for a farmhouse
So gorgeous…Just live with them awhile. You may find you like the wood against the white walls. It Gives extra color and depth. It seems stain would be less maintenance in the long run.. Maybe fir now just paint one room’s floor, like a guest room and see how you like it . Have you considered white washing them. Food for thought. Either will be gorgeous but I lean toward staining.?
The stained floor inspiration pictures are amazing. That’s my vote for sure! ?
Stain!
Either will be amazing though, I’m sure!
I like the warmth and authenticity of the stained. To me it would be less maintenance and give your farmhouse the look of timelessness. Are you someday going to add it to your 2nd floor? Maybe all the bedrooms could be painted as a different look(?). Anyway you choose, it’s YOUR forever home and it will be gorgeous! ~Kim
Stain! I love the look of the stained floors in the first and second pictures.
Totally the STAIN ??? It is so warm and soothing to the eyes. Which is more soothing to you when you look at them both?
I love the stained floors in your inspiration pics. I think it adds a lot of warmth and also a masculine touch for Jose! ? Also with the little feet you hope to have running over those floors with their toys someday, I think the stain would wear better. ?
Love the stain choices you posted. Definitely stain. If you don’t like, you can always paint. Vice versa not going to happen as easily.
I love my white painted floors but they are hard to keep clean! As they show everu piece of dust,dog hair, and dirt. I would definitely stain first then like Jose said paint if you cant stand them.
Either the second or third stain would be a perfect middle ground. They’re lighter giving you the bright/light look of white, but still have the texture and just a touch of warmth from the wood!
I feel like stained floors would wear better over time… that said I LOVE how your painted floors looked and the whole white on white.
My vote is stain a warm colour and try it out. If you hate it paint can be added.;)
Have you thought about pickling?
I LOVE the warmth of the medium golden stain!
It makes the wood come alive!!
You probably know what your heart wants, and once that gets stuck in your head, that’s all you can see. And you are already used to painted floors, so that’s what you are used to and fits into your decorating brain. Sit and look at it all weekend, you will get a good idea just with the unstained pine floor. See if you can wrap your head and heart around it stained. Go with your gut and what you love… that always wins in the end.
Stained!
I also think you should stain first…try it out and if you’re just not feeling it, then paint is always an option. The first picture you posted of the stained pine floors is dreamy and just what I picture when you say “reclaimed pine floors”. Puritan Pine by Minwax is a great natural looking stain for Pine. Take a hammer and othe objects to distress the floors yourself and stain. Then you can always lay white/cream color rugs to get that cottage vibe you love.
I vote stain. Beautiful inspiration pics.
The 4th inspiration pic. The one with staircase is my favorite. I think it would be a great contrast to the rest of your chippy white decor and replicate that old farm house feel. But, that being said if you’re like me you know what you love and if you don’t go with that it will be done your way at some point.??
Love the white floors, but I realize they are hard to keep clean. I know one thing for sure, I’ve lived in my family home, again, for 20 years now with subflooring. I’m definitely doing pine flooring, thanks to you! Thanks as always for your inspiration.
Stain Stain Stain!!! So beautiful in the inspiration pictures!
Hands down STAIN!!
After looking at both choices….numerous times, I feel the stain will bring a warmth to the rooms.
I vote for staining them!
STAIN! STAIN! STAIN! You can paint them down the road if you want.
So pretty. We have white washed walls at my white wedding barn venue. They are white, you can still see all the character of the pine boards showing through. You can check out @thewhitemagnolia on Instagram to see the walls. It’s kinda the best of both worlds as far as a paint/stain. I used a product called Zarr costal boards to do the white washing. It’s a paint/stain product! I used a brush to apply and brushed back and fourth!
I love the look of painted floors!
Stain! ❤️❤️❤️
Stain! ❤️❤️❤️
Stain it! It totally fits your vibe, adds some warmth, and it’s not necessarily permanent! You *can* paint later if you want that change down the road! Options! 🙂
My fave of all is the 4th picture of the stained floors (long staircase) those are gorgeous!!! Since you’ve already had painted floors try out the stained. Maybe paint the floors in one of the bedrooms??????? Best of both worlds! :))))) Either way, you will make it look stunning!!! Love all that you do….I always look forward to your posts!! Xoxo
Paint new floors white, like old floors. I think it makes the space look charming and more country! ☺
My fave is the 4th pic of the stain, with the long staircase… it’s gorgeous!!! Since you’ve already had painted floors, try the stained floors, maybe just paint one of the bedrooms… best of both worlds!!! ??? thanks for always sharing with us! ??❤️No matter what you decide, it will be beautiful!
I am loving the look of the stained floors, especially the picture with the staircase! The white floors are pretty too, but I love the way the stain lets the character of the wood show through. Can’t wait to see how they turn out!
I think you should white wash them or use a stain with that effect – you’ll have the white floors look you love, but still allowing the pretty wood to be seen.
Holy moly ❤those wide board boards on pic with stairs!!! So I know you’re going to paint them bc you can’t help it lol but I dig the stain. More character.
I agree with Jose. Also I feel like stain would be easier to care for in the long run, especially when it’s going to be so much of your flooring. Wood adds so much warmth to a space visually too. You mentioned that you also do have the guest bedrooms that you can do different so you could go straight to paint with those to help sooth your floor painting itch haha good luck!
I’m with Jose. Stain first then paint if you don’t like it. Love the floors btw!
I love the cottage look, as I know you do!! The painted floors are beautiful. The light stain however to me is so flattering and shares the grain (it’s life story) . For me, the other positive about the staining is that it provides an “anchor” for each room. Your decor is light, clean and airy, so fresh! I feel the light pine with stain gives it like a backdrop to really notice and appreciate everything else in your space. It provides a touch of warmth, and a little weight in the room, showing off the walls, furnishings, etc. Whatever you do will be gorgeous as always!! I love your style! Just my two cents worth, Lela Mac
Love the painted BUT the light stain will be the perfect backdrop for your cottage!
Oh, please keep the stain, it looks fantastic already!
Stain! They are gorgeous!
Stain is definitely my pick! If you don’t like it, then you can just paint your floors. Maybe paint your guest bedroom floor and your upstairs bedrooms? That way you get the best of both worlds. ?
I think a white stain or pickling would be beautiful. You get the best of both worlds.
My Finnish roots totally vote for stain! Either way is beautiful though.
I would stain the floors. They are beautiful. Where did you get them? Do they need to be professionally installed or are these a diy?
Oh, STAIN, please stain!!!
We laid new pine down in our 1800’s school house, after not being able to repair the original. Over just the past year we are ‘wearing’ our floors out in a beautiful way.. It looks to rustic and adds so much old time charm. Hands down I think you should stain. It captures the timeless feel of the old original floors.
I love my stained knotty pine 🙂
Your floors are gorgeous!
One word: Stain!
As I am sure you know, Jose is one smart man!!! The new flooring is charming and the idea of staining first is a perfect approach. Personally, I would go with the stain period, however it is not my home! If I may suggest, think about how you have recently started to experiment with color…albeit warmly neutral and soft… if you try the stain floors first you may find that it fits with your evolving design choices. Just saying… ;D
I agree! I love that stain also!
I can’t say it loud enough: STAIN! I adore your white floors, but the wooden look brings such a warmth to any home. Your style is my exact style (true antiques, so much white and cream, chippyiness, greenery, etc.) so I understand the love for white. However, the stained wood gives the house an authentic, rich look.
I’m sure whatever you do will be beautiful, though! Good luck and good job!
Bleached pine floors! Check out white flower farmhouse on Instagram. Then stain or paint later if you don’t love. Easier to go dark then back to light.
I am a fan of the stained. I think they last longer, add a sense of warmth and work with any color scheme you may want to add later.
Just last year we ripped out the carpets in our bedroom and duplicated the solid oak of the main rooms. It is gorgeous, durable and easy to clean.
Good luck! I can’t wait to see the results and your choice. I am so glad Abby shared your post on her Facebook page.
How about more of a whitewash? It would be a sort of compromise. I love light wooden floors. We uncovered hardwood floors in our (not so) new house. I wanted them as light as possible, but not painted.
Definitely stain! Love the warmth contrasted with all the white! I’d go with similar tone to your new gorgeous island to keep continuity in your home! So excited to see it all finished. Beautiful!!
What type of pine did you use for the flooring to get that rustic look. Intentional seems?? If so how was this done?? Love it!!! Stain by the way??
The patina that comes with age and use is prettier with stained floors. Your home is beautiful!
Love the color of the floors for the stairway picture, they seem to be so warm and welcoming. We had carpet in our home for 15 years eek; but once we had our floors redone our house just came to life. In the end , the choice is yours. Follow your heart and not what’s necessarily on trend. Your style is beautiful so I think in the long run which ever you choose, make it your own and good luck.
Hi Liz Marie, Whatever you do, I’m sure it will be beautiful. Trust your instincts.
Stain them first, that way you’ll have both worlds, can always paint over the stain, can’t stain over paint…! <3 so I agree with Jose ! love both looks, however!
Stain them, love that look! Can I ask where you got the pine for your floors? We also live in an old farmhouse and I am wanting to have this look. Reclaimed flooring is proving to be cost prohibitive.
I’ve got to agree with Jose, and Lela Marc…light stain to bring a cozy warmth to your beautifully light cottage feel. You would always be able to paint at a later date if you reeealy want to. Enjoy! *jt*
Stain
I think the white floors make any touch of color you might add, including pine, pop more. Looking at the photos where you have white floors with your furniture evoke a calmness and purity to me. Plus white floors with the wear will show some pine coming through continuing your vibe..the big plus is you could do both! Some rooms white and some stained!
S
oh gosh you are talented beyond measure!! and only 29?? no hope for me at 52 – a home decor wannabe! : (
BUT… my vote is no paint. first choice would be natural color with bona traffic hd (which is what we use for our pine floors) or light stain. I think they are beautiful and the pine look vs painted will give you more layers to your absolutely beautiful home and decorating style! can’t wait to see what you do – it will be awsome no doubt : )
Pickle the floors! We did our bedroom and in our next house we will do the entire house. The result on pine floors is beautiful and the best part is it lasts. The grain of the wood shows thru but you get the white floors you want.
Stain for sure. I just love the look of that stair case. So beautiful. Can’t wait to see what u pick.
Hey Liz!
I love both concepts. But a couple thoughts occurred to me after reading this blog post and another from you with the pops of color you added to living room not to long ago (which I love by the way). The photo of the stained stair case made my breath catch. I loved how grounding the stain was. When I reflected on your last post about coming out of a dark place and wanting to add color to the farm house I thought “staining might help you incorporate that a little more”. It adds a certain old world charm to the farmhouse too. And after all, husbands are great with their suggestions. If you don’t like it you can paint it later. But giving it a try might help you continue to move in the direction you’ve discussed previously and bring a fun new element to the farm! Either way, you’re going to make a great choice you always do!