I am in upstate NY.  The house originally had carpeting, that was ripped up and we then chose to have the existing hardwood floors redone--they were sanded and stained.  I was less then happy as they put a dark stain.  This has been a many months job as we've been able to stay at my dad's old house, and the longer we were doing various jobs, the more I disliked the floor as it was.  Because we've been doing so much in almost every room, price was certainly an issue, but then after shopping around, doing some homework, we chose a reasonably lower price R L Colston red oak at Lumber Liquidators (had had it installed by someone they do business with), and I am just thrilled.  We then had just the poly on the floor, no stain, it is simply breathtaking.  We aren't quite finished yet (with other rooms) in terms of moving stuff back in, I can't wait to see it when the furniture is all in and of course after the baseboards and door mouldings.  The house is a cape cod, but I love victorian stuff, but not the dark colors, so I can't wait to get everything in, all the white baseboard, and I just want one of those area rugs (with a victorian print) by the sofa and love seat.  So here is a before (but after the spring time sanding and staining) and the after the new floor was installed.  See, one does not even need to spend a fortune to have gleaming hardwood floors.
 
so here are my pictures
 
Maryann R.
Schenectady NY