Long-length, character-grade walnut floors with a gray hue are in vogue in West Chester, Ohio, says contractor Scott Hembree of Hembree Hardwood Floors. Hembree, who lives and works in the large development area between Cincinnati and Dayton, says he started to see the look gaining traction five years ago, and credits the trend in part to popular "Homearama" tours popping up, which are upscale, custom-built neighborhoods with lavish designs. "These houses, they're McMansions," says Hembree. He speculates that the local crowds filling the tours have been taking notes on the homes' interiors—including the long, gray flooring. Popular lengths vary between 12–16 feet, says Hembree, who gets his walnut planks milled locally and uses DuraSeal Quick Coat Weathered Oak and Classic Gray stains to achieve the look. When it comes to helping a homeowner choose the right color, "I try to stay neutral," he says. When it comes to those million-dollar "McMansions," however, his opinion is clear: "They're over the top."
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