I don't mind the contrast so much, although the only thing I may have considered would have been to run the direction of new floor perpendicular to the old, so a definite room transition is obvious.

Honestly it doesn't look bad. How wide is the opening? If the transition bothers you could you place a rug there?

Your other oak floor that is older still looks to be in great shape, and your new floor is very pretty.

The difference in color and size isn't bad.

The transition strip needs to go though. You want the transition to be the same height if possible. Just a simple crosswise board would be enough. If there is a small height difference, then you use a crosswise flat piece that is sawn on a low angle to make the transition as broad as possible.

Yes! Live wire hit the nail on the head!

Totally fine...

Thanks, everyone! The transition strip actually is the same height, there's no bump at all.

The only thing I would do is make the transition the width of the entire doorway, not that skinny thing with half the door left in the old wood.

You can cut out the old stuff to make the area wider and insert a flat transition: one plank, or several, running across the opening.

that way it looks like you planned the transition, didn;t just cover up a gap.

I think it looks fine.

We have the same. The color of your new floor will change some over time and will match your old flooring better. I think it looks fine. I didn't even notice until our GC pointed it out that we had 2 different types of flooring (maple and oak) on our first floor - after 4 years of living there. So yeah, it's not something people notice.

The flooring on the left (old) looks like ash, the new looks like red oak. But what do I know?
Casey

I like lazygardens idea of widening the transition piece to match the width of the wall/door. It then looks more intentional, and provides a bit more separation of the two widths.

@lazygardens - that's a good idea.

Thanks!

I don't think it looks bad at all. I do like the idea of putting in a wider transition strip. We have the same issue with our house and I stressed and stressed over it as the transition is in a wide open space. Honestly, no one notices it at all. You eye is drawn higher to the kitchen and counters.