The Foyer...

...is so abused by salt and water and stress that refinishing is not in the cards.  I mean, I guess I could sand and clear coat it, and call it "rustic", but it is a very difficult area to isolate in order to contain sawdust, and it will look like crap, anyway.  

Options: 

1.  replace hardwood (still requires sanding, so, NO.  Not again this winter.)
2. Tile (requires cement backer board, and so the foyer will be an inch above every other room)
3. Adhesive vinyl:  Not a long-term solution, and will suck to remove when I am ready to maybe sand, maybe replace hardwood, or even replace the vinyl in 5-10 years. 
4. Laminate: It's an entryway, and destined to get wet a lot.  I already am greatly concerned about the previous owners' brilliant idea of laminate in the downstairs bath.  Not going to continue that trend. 
5. That leaves (I think): epoxied pennies (too permanent/boring to apply), or a rug.  But wait!

I forgot all about the very finish of the Joyce Rothermel Community Room at work!  

Resilient Vinyl Plank

This stuff cuts with a circ saw or a jigsaw or a miter saw just like wood, only easier.  I also drilled some in the drill p[ress, but not for any reason other than to see how it works. You can whittle it with a utility knife, and it is waterproof, and really, really durable. Fitting and trimming took about 12 hours, including all the trips up and downstairs to cut. My pedometer estimates 3 miles walked INSIDE my house in a single day. $2.80/sq ft. This is "Rustic Hickory" Smartcore flooring from Lowe's.  5.5 mm thick.  Nice stuff. 

(This is not the permanent home of this white fridge.  My other one is acting up, so I have held off selling the frigidaire until I determine if the SS fridge can be fixed.)

 I'm thinking a radiator box project is in my future.

Here is the vinyl and the ebonized oak, separated by a hardwood carpet transition strip. The strip will be waxed with the floor, and will turn about the color of the hickory.