Hardwood Floors for High-Traffic Areas

To replace the flooded kitchen's ruined oak floors, Shawn opted for dark, prefab hardwood that fit her budget. For high-traffic spots (in front of the stove and sink), she puts down inexpensive patterned rugs she buys from Ballard Designs and replaces annually. With the savings from the floors, she invested in bead-board wall detailing that runs around the entire periphery of the room. The beadboard is painted in a high-gloss eggshell that, she says, "makes the whole kitchen shine."