I have existing hardwood floors (picture attached) that are traditional light pine with dark highlights in the hallway of my house. The hallway leads to the central room in the house - the carpeted dining room. I want to tear out the carpet and install totally different style hardwood floor. Something much wider, darker and rustic looking. I will also be laid the opposite way. I imagine I will need something to lay down between the two where they meet. Wat are your thoughts on not matching the floors?

The worst thing you can do is to try, and fail, to exactly match the existing floor.

What you are planning will work fine. As long as the new floor doesn't clash with the old, it will look fine. By choosing a different texture, color, plank size and direction what you are doing is just creating a different, complimentary look. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Sometimes it helps if the piece that divides the two different wood surfaces is in itself unique. Make it wider, different color or whatever to create a border between the two floors.

Thank you for the confirmation, Jaybee. I would hate to try to match, and it not match. I do like your idea of a unique transition piece. Thank you!