High gloss finishes do not go well in a cottage kitchen. A hand polished or waxed look is a better choice.
Pine wood floors and reclaimed wood are ideal choices. Among other hardwood species Mesquite with its high janka (hardness test) rating and unique rugged looks is an ideal pick. You could either opt for solid hardwood or choose engineered wood flooring.
Hardwood kitchen floors can last a lifetime. They make a pleasing visual blend with just about any kitchen decor. Warm, natural, and hardy, wood floors only gain charm and character with life’s fated nicks and dents.
Rustic oak, with its strong grain, is great for laid-back or country traditional-style kitchens; fine-grained maple and cherry create richly elegant looks; ash, beech, and birch are sleek and used in modern kitchens. Other handsome picks are hickory, pecan, walnut, mahogany, and teak. Soft woods, most often pine, have a country-style charm but do show wear and damage more than hardwoods.