Laurie, This is the Rocky Mountain Oak. It is not shiny and there is some variation in the color but not much and no beveled edges. I think that's what you were asking about. We stained the steps as best we could to match the floors. First we painted them a color that was something like the floors and then put the stain and poly. over it. We're happy with the way the steps turned out since we aren't very handy. This picture was taken at night but I think it shows the true color of the floor better than the ones I took during the day.

You might take home a sample of Coretec Dakota Walnut. It is pretty light, and would go very well with your cabinets. Even if you are underwhelmed, take a sample home as different lighting can completely change your opinion. http://www.usfloorsllc.com/flooring-products/dakota-walnut/ I took a sample of Adura Max outside in bright sunlight, absolutely hated it, but took it home anyway. Put it down in my house, and it was absolutely perfect. Flooret Modin has some light options. http://www.flooret.com/modin-vinyl-plank-flooring/ Hope this helps!

Look into Coretec, Adura Max, Karndean, and Flooret for good quality click lock vinyl flooring. Unless you plan to self-install, I strongly recommend finding a local flooring company known for excellent quality and good installation. Take home samples and look at them in morning, afternoon, and evening light. Flooret does not sell to resellers, but they can probably recommend local installers. Weshipfloors.com has good prices on vinyl flooring, but I cannot recommend or not recommend as I have never purchased from them. They have a line of vinyl plank flooring called "Kryptonite," and it's pricing is very good. Here's a light colour somewhat similar to what you posted that is very pretty: http://www.weshipfloors.com/flooring/silver-tail-luxury-vinyl-plank-flooring-3mm-x-63-x-48-cork Flooret has beautiful colours: http://www.flooret.com/modin-vinyl-plank-flooring/ Adura Max by Mannington: https://www.mannington.com/Residential/AduraMax/Search I'm having 2700 sq. Ft. of Adura Max Dockside Sand installed in a few weeks. Will post photos if you haven't made a decision by then. Coretec Dakota Walnut was my second favourite colour. The sample I brought home was lighter than the website photo: http://www.usfloorsllc.com/flooring-products/dakota-walnut/ I'm running out of time so cannot post Karndean link. Hope this helps!

IMO to vague a question . You do need to address the lighting for sur ein the kitchen those bulbs are no longer the best answer for cheap lighting go LEDs and get some pot lights into that space for sure. Use LED bulbs in the 4000K range that will mimic sunlight and then the colors you choose will be the same at nigt as in the daytime.Some idea of the floor plan draw it to scale on graph paper is the easiest make sure you mark doors windows archways and all the room sizes. Since this is a do over I think I would paint the cabinets since they seem to be driving every other decision along with that counter. I think when going to this extent the kitchen should be done too.