I have natural oak flooring as well. I will tell you, that I didn't stain mine, and it has "oranged" over time. I don't hate it, but it has taken on that color, so pretty much looks like golden oak. I had to have a couple of pieces put in my existing floor because they were bad. He replaced them and sanded them, then put on the poly, and I can't even tell which were replaced. If you aren't looking for orange or red, I would choose the top picture with the bottom, more brown stain. Having said that, IDK what that will do over time. I'm just telling you what my natural poly, no stain floors did. Hope that helps? Recap, basically my floors now look like the golden oak pictured (and they were not stained at all).

I have no idea on stain mixes. Yikes...sounds risky. The other thing, what about a different company besides Minwax? I used Minwax on all my baseboards and doors that I replaced, in Golden Oak. Again, I love the color, so I'm not bashing it at all. But, there are other stains out there that would work. @Beth H. needs to get in on this discussion....she posted somewhere about other stains on someone else's post awhile back. She knows her stuff!! I think it was on Nidnay's thread. Check out "I cannot procrastinate any longer on hardware choices" (I think that's what it's called. Anyway, there are over 2000 responses in design dilemma.). About halfway through, you will see a number of stains she put on the floor. Keep scrolling and Beth commented on brands. Check that out, maybe it will help.

Absolutely not! Minwax is great....I'm just saying, if you can't decide on your color, go check out her thread. If I'm not mistaken, she too has red oak flooring. She had five different samples tested. Just throwing it out there for you!

The dark stain will disguise the differences between the old and new wood the best. It is also the most popular color at the moment. The natural light finish will wear the best but I'd expect some very obvious differences between the old and new flooring.

I still favor the one above if that's one you're considering. If you're trying to avoid the red/orange look, that will do it.

It is never about what you like the most. It is always about what in your situation will look the best for the the money you are willing to spend. The mark of professionals is not to push the envelope on what might work without being certain first. You must test a section with the two different woods in a light color before choosing the light finish. I will bet you won't like the result, I hope I'm wrong though.

So, does this mean you have to have a new kitchen floor laid? The color looks good. In your first pictures, I preferred the lightest color, then the next lightest. I thought the dark one looked like a "wanna be walnut, but I'm oak".

I have a prefinished oak flooring in natural that I have had for 10 years and I love it. Its by Mirage. I appreciate the light fresh look with my rooms. I had to have it reinstalled because the subcontracted installer banged up every nail insertion, because he must have had a damaged nailer. The owner of the flooring company came out the the flooring rep from Mirage, and they determined it was installation error. The finish was warrantied for something like 30 Years (can't remember the number) but with all the nicks, it wouldn't last. New install was great and the floor has been very good to me :) I'm getting it again soon in my bedroom, using a different installer company. All this to say I love my light flooring. It is fresh and can go modern or traditional, imho.