Yeah, I hear you on the “rustic charm” turning into a pain real quick. I’ve had floors so uneven you could lose a marble under the fridge. Leveling compound is a lifesaver, but I’ll admit, sometimes I just bite the bullet and pull up the worst boards if they’re too far gone. It’s not always worth patching every single thing—sometimes you gotta know when to call it and start fresh. But for minor dips? Compound and a good sander can make a world of difference.
Honestly, I’m with you—sometimes those old planks are just too far gone to bother patching. I’ve had spots where even the best eco-friendly fillers just wouldn’t hold up, especially near the sink where water damage sneaks in. For the boards you do keep, have you tried using reclaimed wood for patches? It blends better and keeps the footprint down. Curious if anyone’s found a good low-VOC finish that actually stands up to kitchen spills… I’ve had mixed luck with the “green” brands.