My kitchen table is solid walnut, with a light stain and my kitchen cabinets are cherry, also with a light stain. The table is probably ten years old and has gotten lighter. The cabinetry is only a year old, but definitely darker than when it was installed. My kitchen faces north. I can't really speak to the "evenness" of walnut as it lightens, but I do think a light stain helps bring out the beauty of walnut. It's my favorite wood--I am sure your cabinets will be gorgeous no matter what you choose.

I think it may depend on personal preference and how much light you get in the room. You may want to post a picture so people can get a good visual before giving an opinion.

oldhome - Get what you love! Just know the darker the finish on hw flooring the more the dust bunnies especially will show. If you choose a low luster (satin) poly scratching will not be that evident. Also, the best advice re: hw in kitchen area is that it should have a coat of poly applied every year - this is due to the high traffic/use in that area. It's done to protect the flooring, keeping it looking great (think traffic pattern wear). Flooring people just rough up the existing surface and apply a coat - Using any type of oil based product (i.e. murphys soap) will prevent them from having the capability of doing this. In your case it may mean doing kit & family room. I met w/the flooring person a number of times - he was patient and good w/trying to get the right color - I think he ended up using a "watered down" version of provincial- The provincial, early american, and dark walnut are all in the same brown family. Kitchen flooring was new white oak, all the other flooring was 75 yo oak. He did an incredible job matching the 2 - which I did not think was possible - transition btwn the 2 is first pic HTH - good luck Here is a link that might be useful: minwax stains

The Mushroom Tinted Varnish, which has a hint of ?taupe, is lovely with your countertops. It doesn't really look white. Any temptation to do uppers & lowers in that color? The Macadamia also looks nice with your stone & I would probably choose that one with the Cappacino lowers. I have true white cabinets & American Black Walnut floors. My cabinets are fine but the floors - dents galore. We are empty nesters but I'm always dropping stuff. Edit: I just read your post that you may change countertops. In that case, the Cappucino & Macadamia (lighter white). The Walnut floor is gorgeous & I would not give that up but the somewhat busy countertop, high level of variation in the walnut floors & 2 colors of cabinets could be too many things going on. Just a thought as I'm not one of those people that can visualize everything together. I have to see a picture. edited again: I keep writing Chestnut instead of Cappucino.