Could we not have it painted to imitate chestnut wood?
And don't you think we might paint the floor around the edges of the rug to imitate the woodwork?
Just think of those centre panels of the door painted a contrasting shade of pale pink.

The painter who did this work certainly was an artist.

A friend of mine in the city, wishing to use rugs instead of carpets on her floors, and not caring to go to the expense of laying hardwood floors, gave the old floors a couple of coats of light lemon, or straw-colored paint, then stained and grained them a perfect imitation of chestnut, at small expense.

The floors were greatly admired when finished, and having been allowed to dry thoroughly after being varnished, proved quite durable.

I will write to my friend at once and ask her exactly how her floors were treated." "Now, Mary, about this old-style furniture.