On Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:55:22 +0000, F news@nowhere wrote:

Bare floorboards with a rectangle of carpet that stops short of all
sides by 6-12" and does not go into the alcoves.

The boards are either dry and bare, or varnished.

Which is what we had back in the 50s and 60s.

Yes, and what made it horrible back then was the un-insulated flooring
and draughts everywhere. If it comes back, at the very least the regs
will ensure some improvement in comfort.
Of course, there will be some slaves to fashion /cheapskates who just
adopt the look and think nothing of the discomfort.

Fitted carpet for me, every time. I remember the ****ty carpet squares
of the 50s and 60s and stand aghast at cheapy crappy imitation
polished wood floors, which just look nasty.