This is a home that we did in Harrison, AR, back in 2000.  The owners of the home wanted to break up the large room into spaces for furniture placement, and borders worked out great for this.   We used  2 1/4  #1  Red Oak for most of the floor, with Select 2 1/4 Walnut for the borders.   The borders are done with “Log Cabin” corners, which overlap, on into the other.  This floor is finished with a natural satin finish, and turned out very nice.  See the pictures below.