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Q: I own a townhouse in High Point and installed hardwood floors in my kitchen about two years ago. I now would like to put hardwood floors in my living room, but I plan to hire a new company to do the work. I was annoyed when the last company finished the job and I wasn’t able to get them to come back and fix some problems with the floor. I have gotten a couple of quotes, but the companies that I’ve called don’t carry the same color or width planks that I have in the kitchen. My living room is adjacent to my kitchen, so I am wondering if it would look bad if the two floors don’t match. What do you think?
— Mike  G., High Point

A: Décor trends have changed and it isn’t necessary to worry about the floor finish in your kitchen and living room being a perfect match. The key is to create a flow from space to space. Mixing it up a bit and transitioning from room to room with different floor finishes will work and add a winning design statement.

Transitioning materials like tile and hardwood floors have a long-standing union — the color and textures are different, yet the concept works. It’s OK to go from a dark java bamboo to a light finish — this can add style and interest to a space.

When it comes to flooring, anything goes. Transitioning from one space to the next is all about style, not rules. My “go to” resource, Tommy Nicholson of Nicholson Flooring in Greensboro (www.nicholsonflooring.net), said that different species, width and color tones for floors are no different than changing wall color or carpet from room to room.

“There are pattern floors and borders that can be used to allow the transition to flow,” Nicholson said. “New flooring can be installed using transitions in doorways with special thresholds and reducers to ease height differences. Some situations may warrant removal of existing flooring, to allow both rooms to be flush to one another.”

According to Nicholson, cork and bamboo are wood choices that can be used to great advantage.

If you have contacted several companies and cannot find the same wood, it sounds like you were sold odd-sized goods. Flooring should not be difficult to find. Be sure to ask a prospective craftsperson or company if they sell first-quality goods, how long have they been buying from the supplier, and whether or not this style will be discontinued.

Given your bad experience with the last company, be sure to do your homework before hiring. Although you are probably eager to get started on your floors, take the time to carefully evaluate the company you pick for this project. There are many considerations when it comes to hiring a craftsperson or company. Some of the key questions include:

• Does the company have the right resources for your project, including style, quality and variety of materials?

• What is the company philosophy and how would they run a project? Does the same crew start and finish a project? Does the owner work on each project?

• Is there a product warranty for labor and materials?

• How is the customer service? What is the company’s customer service history? Was it easy to get an estimate? If it is hard to communicate in the beginning, it does not get better once a company has your money.

Check online for recommendations, check with the Better Business Bureau and call references. You are not likely to be provided a poor reference, but there are questions that you can ask to read between the lines. Ask if a work crew showed up on time, was neat and if there were problems.

The experience you had with the last company, unfortunately, is not uncommon. In today’s economy, however, companies tend to bend over backward to go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. Sometimes a business offering unreal pricing will exit before the job is complete to avoid losing money on the deal. Many people are swayed by a low estimate, but unfortunately, price shopping can lead to situations like what you are experiencing.

Finding the company that can problem-solve and get the look right is the way to go. As we all have learned the hard way, you get what you pay for. When it comes to your highest-valued asset — your home — don’t skimp. 

Jessica Dauray is owner of Elements of Style Interiors, a full-service interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, and The Studio, a trade-focused fabric and furniture resource. Visit her Web sites at www.elementsofstyleinteriors.com or www.thestudioofgreensboro.com. Have questions? E-mail Jessica at jessicaofeos@bellsouth.net.