I would get some samples of white oak stained in the color you like, LARGE samples that you can lay on the floor in different light. The grain is very different, but if you use a dark enough stain and a matte finish it might work.

Hi Kammerek, I've seen this topic covered here in the past. It seems that most people on this forum prefer to put the floor in first. We are not doing it that way - and it seems that all the contractors we talked with prefer to do the floor later. Maybe it depends on the type of flooring. We're getting engineered (prefinished) hardwood. The floor people came in and installed new 1/2" plywood subflooring before the cabinets were put in. Then came cabinets,appliances that are inside of cabinets, light fixtures, countertops, backplash and then flooring. After the flooring they'll put in the appliances that sit on the floor (fridge and dishwasher). The reason it's done this way is to protect the floor. Our granite is being installed today, and they granite guys were so happy that they didn't have to worry about the floor when they brought in the large island slab with a heavy-duty dolly. Tomorrow, when they do the backsplash, the tile guy will set up a wet saw outside; and will go back and forth cutting tile, bringing in mastic, grount, etc... It's nice to not worry about damaging the floor before the kitchen is finished. I guess it you're doing site-finished floors and you plan to put another coat on them, it doesn't matter as much. you can always cover the floor and try to protect it, but if the floor isn't there yet, you know it won't get dented or scratched. Just another view...

Good link to provide amysrq, that explains a lot! We have engineered Mannington Hickory floors in our home, and I have been very pleased with how well they've worn. We have had four dogs, three cats, grandchildren and regular family foot traffic with shoe and heels without any noticeable scratching or wear. Most of the flooring was installed ten years ago, the remainder was put in two years ago, so our entire lower level is hardwood. A hammer dropped once left a slight ding in the kitchen. The ice maker on our frig broke one night and left a 4 x 5 foot puddle of water standing on the kitchen floors overnight. We mopped up the water, opened up the windows, kept a fan blowing and allowed several days for the floors to dry, and you can't tell now where the water stood. This flooring was not the premium line of hardwood that Mannington carries, either, it is probably considered mid-level. One feature I liked is that I was able to match the newer flooring exactly with what had been installed initially - something to consider if you're only doing certain areas at a time. Although hickory isn't way up there on the hardiness/harness list, ours has held up very well. My son just had Brazilian cherry installed in his house, and has already seen dings and scratches. Consequently, he doesn't let his dogs come inside the house anymore, and asks everyone to leave their shoes at the door. I'd hate to have something that sensitive that you couldn't live life as usual inside your own home! I do think it's imperative that you purchase from a well-known reputable manufacturer, even if installing it yourself. Mannington Hickory in Nutmeg finish

Now that you have lived in the house for two years, you will have figured out if the kitchen foot print is usable. As soon as you start renovating this kitchen, you will be tempted to change things. Little things. Things that have bothered you for 2 years but could do nothing about. Once you do that, you have a new foot print. And then saving the boxes will be irrelevant or impossible (depending on how much of a change you make). Because change is inevitable, you will want to plan this out CAREFULLY. You will need to figure out your floor plan FIRST. Then you can look into whether or not it makes sense to keep old boxes vs. starting new for a full upgrade. If a bigger change is going to happen, you should get a certified Kitchen Designer on board. S/he will save you plenty of money with her/his designs and abilities. The KD will put together a package for you, including colour palette, flooring and counter top materials. Which you will direct the KD to order for you OR you can source yourself and then have installed. At which point, the flooring is decided WELL before the kitchen is touched. As you can see, you have a few more steps to go before you worry about flooring colour. To decide now, before you have a full idea of colour/materials would be putting the cart before the horse. Floors go in last (and can be chosen last). It is an important thing to work with. As tempted as you are to get rid of the red vinyl, you will be very upset to pay for a floor TWICE (which is often the case if flooring is changed before the kitchen is renovated). Because you have vinyl that is EVEN with the hardwood (same floor height) I would look at very thin product. It will prevent a large 'lip' from occurring through the doorways. But that's a decision that can come LATER. Right now you want to figure out the kitchen's footprint.