Rai, thanks for your response!

Our appointment is tomorrow, so I can't be sure if they will have any of those specific colors laid out - but more than likely it will be just the sample sizes (I'm guessing). It is so hard to pick from just those! That's why I've been trying to see real life photos beforehand. I've managed to find some, but the last color especially is hard to find.

We are really hoping for the LVP- though they couldn't tell us beforehand or not if it is an option. I think it will cost less than the level 2 laminate, which is part of the appeal. Plus, we are nervous about the water aspect with laminate.

To be honest, I'm not totally sure of the look I want. I know that is probably terrible! I really like traditional and rustic/farmhouse looks. But, also gravitate towards a little modern.

Our kitchen cabinets will definitely be white or offwhite, with light gray countertops- that's a sure thing. Our walls will be "Agreeable Gray" by Sherwin Williams. And the bottom floor will be hard floors - the top floor will be carpet.

They should have larger sample sizes, so that you can at least put them by a large counter sample, large cabinet door sample, etc. If you can, take them around to different lighting in store or even outside in natural daylight. Careful carrying those quartz or granite samples around though, they are heavy suckers! The lighting in our design centre was pretty bad - made everything look very, very warm, so it was good to move around.

LVP certainly is a good option if you are concerned about water. Laminate is okay with small amounts of water as long as you clean it up right away (leaks from dishwashers are another thing, etc), but I can understand with kids and dogs you can't guarantee this! If you go LVP do make sure you get a higher wear layer though with that kind of traffic and wear. 20 mil even at least (40 mil is the highest so far, I think, but it can go all the way down to 4 mil or something which will not last long at all).

It is not terrible not to know what your style is, but it would be worth spending some time today and tonight with your partner looking for inspiration photos of what you are attracted to and what not, or even going to some parade homes tonight together (even if from other builders!).

We had some general ideas of what we liked before we went in (and some "absolutely not's"), but nothing as specific as showing up with a photo in hand saying "we want THIS kitchen!". This came from looking at various parade homes, spec homes, browsing here, and elsewhere on the internet.

For example, we knew we wanted white cabinets and a cleaner more minimalist look for our small kitchen, but wanted an overall "warm" feel to things, picking up from a Scandinavian influence of white combined with warmer wood tones. The interior designer was good at helping us narrow things down from our preferences. For our kitchen for example we ended up with a white cabinet as desired (Alabaster shakers), a warmer white/gray quartz that has brown flecks in it (Caesarstone Bianco Drift), white paint (SW Heron Plume), and a warm blond laminate flooring (Kraus Crossroads Journey) to bring in that warm wood element. I picked out some pendants with a third party lighting store that have a Scandinavian influence. I have yet to see it altogether, but I think ultimately we made good choices. The end result is not going to be what really what I think of as Scandinavian kitchen, but it has the elements we wanted in there and plan to add more of the warmer wood with furniture, cutting boards, etc. I also ended up with more gray than I expected (in counter and backsplash) but it was what appealed to me most in combination with other choices, like the cabinets and flooring. I find I need contrast!

We will have complimentary tile in our entry/baths/laundry, and the treads on stairs as well as second floor will be carpet. I just can't seem to break away from the coziness of carpet in bedrooms and such (and I appreciate it in our climate too).

You will have so many decisions to make tomorrow (like grout colour) so just take your time :)

I'm wanting warmer tones in the flooring, so that it doesn't feel too cold - what with the gray toned walls and white cabinets. So I definitely relate there! Do you mind me asking which builder you're using?

I wish we had an opportunity to go look at more model homes before our appointment, but I didn't even think of it to be honest. And now our appointment is tomorrow, so alas, will just have to hope they have good samples there.

We're also doing carpet upstairs and in the bedrooms, because I don't want to lose that coziness either - but also for budgeting reasons. I looked up your flooring choice and that is gorgeous! Nice pick!

Never select colors from a computer screen.

Oh I definitely won't be making a decision solely on pictures. I just don't want to go into it blind and be overwhelmed, as I know there will be a ton of options. I just want to have it narrowed down, and like to see the colors visually in a full room. Seeing just a sample/one plank isn't always enough.