Gosh, Holly sure does know alot about Reno...vation. She's so smart.
I wanted to comment on the bamboo issue from an environmental perspective...
"Some say it is indestructible, others complain that it shows scratches. Perhaps there is a big difference in quality from different manufacturers. I like the sustainability aspect of it....though most of it comes from China...."
As far as the sustainability issue is concerned. Yes, bamboo is a grass and grows very quickly. So, it can be quickly harvested and replanted. However, because of this and its subsequent popularity in the "green" industry, larger hardwood forests are being cut down and replanted with the bamboo. The bamboo doesn't do much for erosion and one of our most important natural resources (some say THE most important)...our rich topsoil, is being eroded at alarming rates.
There currently isn't any way of certifying bamboo plantations as sustainable or fair-trade or anything, so the practices really do vary widely. And as we all know, the quality control out of China is well, abysmal.
So, anyway. There are definitely pros and cons to bamboo as far as durability, and the sustainability thing is questionable as well.
As far as durability, we use it at the Eco-friendly housing community where I work. I've seen that it doesn't really show scratches too bad, but it doesn't hold up to water very well. You also can't refinish it.
We are currently removing all of our carpeting. I hate it, its gross. I would rather have scratchy hardwoods than nasty carpet.