Hello everyone. I am planning to install Hardwoods in my home over the labor day weekend plus a few extra days off as well. I am going to install in my living room, dining room, and hallway. I've installed laminate before in the dining room, so I have a pretty good idea of what to do. I cant seem to figure out the best place to start however. I would like to maintain the flow for the wood from room to room without any transition pieces. The install will be a nail down with a solid wood prefinished product from Bruce flooring. Based on the picture of my layout, where should I start? Also, I'm assuming that wherever I start, the wood should run lengthwise in the hallway. Is that the best practice or is my assumption flawed? I'll be installing a stair nose at the top of the staircase as well. How will that factor in to the starting location? Thanks for any feedback.

Wood gets installed across the joists, not in the same direction. So that would be the first step to figure out. Then start on the longest straight run.

From the diagram i would think your joist run from the LR outside wall to the steps .. If that is true run a chalk line along the outside wall in the LR [ outside walls are usually straight ]. Chalk the line the width of the board + thickmess .. Now run one across the top of LR next to hall .. mark one line at 3' the other at 4' .. from point to point you should have a measurement of 5' if you are laying square in the room .. if not adjust the line .. Take a measurement from the outside line to the stairnose to make sure you will have a full board at the nose .. if not make the adjustment from the outside wall .. better to have a narrow piece at the wall then at the step .. I personally like to start somewhere in the center of the longest run.. due to the angle of the staple the board will want to expand one way .. I believe you loose expansion space if you start next to a wall .. Make sure to glue and nail the stairnose ..
Keep a eye out for boards that have a crayon mark on them .. there is some type of defect in them ..
Broken tounge , crack .[etc]..