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The good news! I just got my ceramic tile removed and hardwood floors put down. They finish up the wall floor strip on Tuesday then I'm all finished....I will post pictures later!
Not to sound boastful, but they are simply stunning. I am so pleased and so happy we did it.

Now here's where I'm looking for advice. My DD was invited on short notice to host a wedding shower for about a dozen people for her college roommate that's getting married soon. My daughter politely asked if we could have the shower here because of the location being closer for those driving in from the city versus where she lives. Of course I said yes, but now I's starting to panic all these girls coming in all dressed up in their 3 and 4 inch heels for the shower and me with new wood floors.
So...is there a polite or clever way to ask people to remove their shoes when arriving? I don't want to be rude though. One thing I was thinking is of turning into some type of game, where when they arrive have a basket with those slip on slipper sock things ( new of course).....I thought I could sew little different color bows on each set, and at shower game time, we could incorporate the slipper bow color into the games. Kind of like if there are a dozen people, buy six little gift things like lotion from bath and body works or small candles. Then say, if you have such and such color bows on your slippers, come and get your gift. Is that cheezy? or Do you have any ideas? Or do I just let them walk on my new wood floors with shoes?

j

I have no advice on the high heel and wood floors..but I wanted to say congrats on getting your floors done...can't wait to see the pics.

I am sure others with wood flooring might be able to give you a tip or two about the high heels with your new floors.

I'm not sure about your wood floors marking either. Maybe it depends on what type of wood they are.
They sound beautiful though. I sure would love to have them too.
Enjoy them : )

I believe things are to use and never fret over little things. Me, I hate those blue booties and on a new wood floor they could be slippery and dangerous.

But if you are concerned about heels and your new floors,
why not call the shower a "sock hop" and somehow word the invitation that it is socks only -- and make a game of who has the cutest socks? Oh, and have a big basket that they can put their shoes in by the door.

Or wear socks of their college -- either in color or with the logo?

And again, make some sort of game to coorespond with the socks.

And whatever you do, if you don't want them to wear shoes in your house, you need to be up front on the invitation. I would not like it to get to someone's house and be told that I have to take off my shoes. I would be upset. But perhaps that is me.

But I do know how when you've waited for something and it's new you hate to do anything to "ding" it --

Let us know what you decide.

Martha

I feel your pain. Years ago, my parents moved into a newly built house with beautiful wood floors right before the holidays. My mother was so sad that her beautiful floors were immediately christened with divots from guests' high heeled shoes. Years later, we don't even notice the divots.

The moral of the story is, enjoy your new floors and your guests and don't worry too much about either one. Divots and dents will happen and your floors will still look beautiful. No one but you will even be able to see the divots.

I think your idea is cute. We do not ask people to remove their shoes here, but many people do.

We had been living in our newly built home only a few months when a holiday party guest gouged our white ash floors. It was upsetting but soon forgotten. Those gouges remained for 24 years until we got the floors refinished!

I would tell everyone beforehand that you are babying your new floors. Any reasonable person will totally understand. I am sure these girls will love your new floors, too.

quote:

Originally posted by Grapefruit:

I would tell everyone beforehand that you are babying your new floors. Any reasonable person will totally understand. I am sure these girls will love your new floors, too.

I would not feel bad about asking people to baby a NEW floor, it takes time to get over all the work done and sticker shock. Time will soften those worries.
Your daughter is the HOST, let her tell her guests beforehand to take their shoes off. They can bring their own indoor slippers. Specify 'non-skid' for their protection.

IF you provide the "socks" and they are slippery, you are liable for someone falling. You are liable for the safety of your guests (within reason).

In our very first home together, one of the guests at our housewarming party had on spike heels that left marks on the brand new floors. We lived with it for years and those marks never did disappear until the floors were sanded and refinished again. We now have a sign outside our door that says PLEASE REMOVE THY SHOES. Everyone who visits knows we are particular and they respect our request. Ask your daughter to give her friends a heads up about the floors and I'm sure they will all oblige.

Well, here's my take, and you're probably not going to like it...but the few times that I've arrived at a party and been asked to remove my shoes, I was not happy AT all! I (and most women I assume) put together an outfit for a social event very carefully, and the footwear is an integral part of it. In addition (although this is probably not an issue for your DD's young friends), I have various foot problems that require the use of bunion pads, cushions, etc., that I certainly don't intend to expose to the public.

I'm not unsympathetic to your floor dilemma, but, as other posters have said, either be VERY upfront about it, or just accept that "dings will happen" and that it just adds to the character of your home.

I would place a few pairs of shoes by the door and I bet most guests will get the hint.

I don't really like having ten pairs of shoes at the front door, but I would not want heel marks in my new floor, either.

I think I would be upfront and tell DD she needs to make sure her guests know you just installed new hardwoods floors and are worried about them gettting damaged so they are going to need to remove their shoes when they get there. She can make a note to bring socks or slippers if that would make them more comfortable. All that, but in a "nice way".

wanted to add, that I probably would be irritated if I wasn't forewarned, but if was in the invite or I was told ahead of time, I would be fine with it and make arrangements accordingly.

Count me as one who would be irritated at being asked to remove my shoes.

I understand that the floor is new, and looks pretty. That you are proud of it and it was expensive.

However, it is a floor and it was made to walk on. I just feel that you shouldn't have a floor finished in such a way that you are not comfortable with people walking on it, whatever their footwear. If you are, then you souldn't invite company over. Just MHO.

Several years ago the topic of removing shoes came up and I was absolutely amazed how many people om the board at that time removed their shoes or asked their guests to remove their shoes when entering their home.

IF I could convince my husband to remove his shoes, I would have no problem at all asking people to remove their shoes and provide a little basket of booties for them to wear. I don't want to be too graphic but when one thinks of the absolute FILTH on streets, who would want that tracked into their home.

By the way, people would be surprised to learn in how many countries, it is customary to remove one's shoes outside of Asia

I can certainly understand your dilemma. Unfortunately, I'm another one that would be a tad irritated if I had to remove my shoes.

I attended my niece's engagement party and was not happy when the host required WOMEN ONLY to take their shoes off. She was concerned about the heels but the men were allowed to keep their shoes on. I guess I was lucky my stockings didn't have a hole in them

Aside from feeling half dressed, I felt like a midget! My husband is 6 ft 3, my brother is 6ft 4 and one of my best friends (female) is almost 6feet. I literally felt like I was a kindergartener at a high school party!

Would it be possible to put down some sort of runner in the high traffic areas? Or move a large area rug into the space temporarily?

I also would not be thrilled with removing my shoes. For all the reasons Skyler mentioned.

I am a reprobate I guess.
I don't think rooms should be designed with the idea of having a rope placed around it like a museum -- good to look at but don't walk on it or touch anything.
Rooms are made to be used. I would assume this is a decent grade of wood and not an inexpensive variation thereof. If everyone's wood floors (I have bamboo) were not walked on, what would be the purpose of having them there in the first place?
If someone asked me to remove my shoes in their home -- short of a muddy or rainy or snowy condition of course -- I would surely not be a happy camper, especially at a shower, where many want to dress to show off their best stuff.
Sorry if I sound like an old nasty person, but I find the suggestion rude.

quote:

Originally posted by arepo:
I am a reprobate I guess.
I don't think rooms should be designed with the idea of having a rope placed around it like a museum -- good to look at but don't walk on it or touch anything.
Rooms are made to be used. I would assume this is a decent grade of wood and not an inexpensive variation thereof. If everyone's wood floors (I have bamboo) were not walked on, what would be the purpose of having them there in the first place?
If someone asked me to remove my shoes in their home -- short of a muddy or rainy or snowy condition of course -- I would surely not be a happy camper, especially at a shower, where many want to dress to show off their best stuff.
Sorry if I sound like an old nasty person, but I find the suggestion rude.

DITTO.

So I gather from some of you that you believe your carefully-put-together outfit and how you look is more important than the many thousands of dollars someone else has spent to have a nice floor. Have I got that right? Seems very selfish to me.

As has been previously stated there are many countries on earth where people never wear outdoor shoes in their homes. Can't understand why everyone doesn't see the need for that. There are so many chemical pollutants that stick to our shoes when we walk outdoors and it's quite unhealthy to bring those indoors.

We have, as do many people we know who also have nice homes, a shoes-off-in-the-house policy. However I don't request it, and certainly don't insist on it, but there are always a couple of pairs of shoes in the front hall so people usually see that. I sure would not be happy if someone with spike heels was thoughtless enough to ding my lovely hardwood. I don't actually think my floors would ding as they are very high quality hardwood but I wouldn't like to put it to the test either.

I would suggest, Josie, as have others, that you have your daughter make the request to her friends that they bring other footware that will not mar your floors. You are doing her, and her friends, a huge favor by offering your home for the shower and there is no need for them to ruin your home.

quote:

Originally posted by joyluck:

I would suggest, Josie, as have others, that you have your daughter make the request to her friends that they bring other footware that will not mar your floors. You are doing her, and her friends, a huge favor by offering your home for the shower and there is no need for them to ruin your home.

Now see, that, to me, sounds like a favor with conditions attached, which to me, is not much of a favor at all.

It also sounds kind of like a snobbish attitude too- yes, I'm doing you this big favor by inviting you to have a shower here, but my floors are too nice for all your guests to be walking on them, so take your shoes off at the door if you come, and BTW also bring substitute footwear to wear on my floors..

I don't wear spiked heels and never have. I will however for an occaision like this wear dressy ballet flats, that I don't think will harm anyone's fancy floors. So yes, I would take offense at being invited, then being asked to walk barefooted for the event, or in my stocking feet to ruin those. And no, I'm not wearing something you have provided me to wear that who knows has worn them, nor am I bringing hostess approved footwear from home to slip into at the door.


You either offer your home with no strings/conditions attached, or you don't. Again, you asked, and its MHO.

I just would not have the nerve to ask them to remove their shoes If it is going to bother you and your daughter knows it will, is their a community room or c*h*u*r*c*h fellowship hall nearby where she might could host it?

Both sides have valid points. But I totally get it. If it were me, a lot of people all at once, breaking in those newly installed floors, after paying a fortune for them, I would be nervous. It's like having a new car. Someone dings your door the 1st day you have it & your sick, someone dings the door when it's 3 years old, and it's like, oh well. How you feel is totally natural & normal. GP is right on, host it outside your home, have the dinner part at a restaurant, and dessert, games & gifts at your home. They can wear their high heels or whatever they want while out & kick back & relax (shoes off) at your home.

I hate my feet but in the summer I wear open shoes all of the time. I stash a pair of socks in my purse/car for any reason that I may need them.

I can understand both sides, what if you were to spend a few extra bucks at a $ store and pick up a bunch of scatter rugs for the shower and any other occasions that may happen at your house. I for one do ask company to remove shoes on nasty weather days, my one friend always brings her slippers when she comes over LOL... BTW I think your slipper sock's is a good idea, what does your daughter think??

I would suggest your DD have this else where.They are brand new and I understand completely.After my DH or I accidentlly ding our new floors,then it would be ok.But friends of our kids ...NOT!!These are friends of your DD ROOM MATE,not yours.You paid a nice sum of ** and want them to stay pretty for a while.
Just say it's too short of a notice.

We have always took our shoes off in the garage.When ever we have family over,they could keep theirs on.Even when we 1st bought our home 12yrs.ago.We had carpet and runners down.When we put in new laminate floors 2yrs.ago,family wanted to take off their shoes.I said it was ok,it can be cleaned easy.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jackierenette,

Even though I never am without shoes/slippers , I am also not easily offended or irritated. Inform your guests, be honest, and enjoy your shoeless party.

It will be fine. If they do not understand, be sure to never invite them again

WOW!!! So many schools of thought

The invitations are in the mail......the floors are stunning and I couldn't be happier with them.

On to the shower, my DD just had a baby, and this shower, which she is the host of, was just thrust upon her at the last minute.....I'm just trying to help her out.

So here's my decision. I will put several pair of shoes, by the door......in hopes that those arriving will take the hint. I will have a basket of comfy/slipper/booties and offer them to whomever offers to take off her spiky high heels. the rest of them.....it is what it is....they are floors. I will not offend anyone, and hope the knuckle-headed bride who ,at the very last minute appointed my daughter as the shower host....will be the first to take the hint.

j

If I knew in advance that I had to remove my shoes, then I would. It wouldn't bother me all. No biggee
Things don't really bother me much.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lilsophie,

It is very common to ask people to remove their shoes, and I never even think twice about removing mine if I am asked.

I have one friend from Asia who keeps a little basket of slippers by the door for guests to put on. I love that custom. When she knows I am coming she sets "my" pair out ready for me at the door. It is very gracious. For her, as part of her cultural upbringing, it is expected that guests and family will remove their shoes to keep homes clean. It would be rude to track dust and dirt into someone's home. I like that.

In the USA we are less careful in general about our floors. We keep our shoes on, and track things in, and then we just clean up later. We allow our floors to be damaged. That is cultural too.

just josie, I think that you should do what makes YOU comfortable, and you should not feel bad for even a minute about it. If you don't want your new floors walked on with outdoor shoes, then ask people to remove their shoes. End of story.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,

quote:

Originally posted by just josie:
WOW!!! So many schools of thought

The invitations are in the mail......the floors are stunning and I couldn't be happier with them.

On to the shower, my DD just had a baby, and this shower, which she is the host of, was just thrust upon her at the last minute.....I'm just trying to help her out.

So here's my decision. I will put several pair of shoes, by the door......in hopes that those arriving will take the hint. I will have a basket of comfy/slipper/booties and offer them to whomever offers to take off her spiky high heels. the rest of them.....it is what it is....they are floors. I will not offend anyone, and hope the knuckle-headed bride who ,at the very last minute appointed my daughter as the shower host....will be the first to take the hint.

j

Congrats on the new baby and the new floor I, too, know what it's like; we had all hardwoods and they were soft/heart-pine. Most people somehow understood and removed their shoes, but I never had anyone wearing spike heels.

I was prob my own worst enemy by dropping pop liters that really gouge along with big pots/lids, etc.

Best of luck!

I think leaving shoes by the door is indicative of "oh, I guess I should take off my shoes." I personally would love it if everyone would take off their shoes, but DH absolutely refuses.

Guess who washes the floor and cleans the carpets

I hope all goes well for you and that you enjoy the shower.

I love woode floors, but I also love my very big greyhounds.
Therefore I had to choose, Tile, and or laminate or carpeting wall to wall.
Because of dogs, it became tile or laminate.
I am an inidivual, that if there is any kind of scratch or anything in my floors, My eyes will go directly to whatever imperfection there is to see.
I have had wood floors, and with big dogs, never again.
I chose tile and high end laminate, Pergo, has a guarantee of 20 years, and their prices are not as inexpensive as many other cheap laminates.
I also have area rugs, that helps also. It is a matter of taste, in my case it was a matter of dealing with a floor that would show scratches and I don't think I could live with that.