Regarding the laminate with wood grain... I'll snap a shot of my parents floor next time I am over there as an example. In my opinion no laminate can come close to how gorgeous their floor is.

While my parents didn't go with this option, I like the look of lightly distressed hard woods

http://www.penningtonhardwoods.com/hs_rawhi.htm.

Davidsch, if you go with a distressed wood floor you don't have to worry as much about minor scrapes and dings as they are already there to begin with smile


-David