laminate flooring is a floating floor meaning its not adhered to the subfloor. You can't install parquet over a floating floor, but laminate should be very easy to pull up as it won't be glued down and should come up pretty easy. kitchen floor needs to be leveled either by using a leveling compound or new subfloor. Sounds like you could use an 'expert' installer. to give you some input.

Thank you so much for your feedback - I really appreciate it. To answer your questions -- yes, I have taken a door sample of both island and perimeter cabinets to the granite yard and yes, I have taken a sample of the granite to my kitchen. I just can't tell from that. Bottom line, I dont' know if cream goes with the gray/white slab. The cabinets are definitely a creamy white - not a gray white. I will try to post pictures of the slab if I can figure it out. The other granite I liked is called Everest White but it was very expensive. I really haven't seen that much I like and I live in a very busy market (NJ). Thanks for your input.

First, make sure the floor meets a deflection of no more than L360. I would probably use Ditra to help with flatness (to a degree) act as an isolation membrane and contain spills. Check for the degree of "cupping" by putting two of them face-to-face and see if there is substantial "rocking" of the tiles. If minimal, you can probably get by with HD's Versabond. Try to pick an installer that has experience with plank tile and insist on a 1/3 stagger to minimize lippage. 1/2 stagger WILL accentuate the problem. (don't ask how I know) A leveling system can help the final "tweaking" of the floor and may or may not be necessary...depending on the tile, the floor and the setter. It is not a cure-all.....

Thanks for the additional photos. I think the stain on the current floor, or slightly lighter than the one with the tag are good choices. (Make sure they're installed the long direction as with the current floor to add length to the room.) If you're finding the room is too dark, then repaint the walls a much, much lighter, shade that works well with the current wood cabinets. The dark gray walls, plus all the dark furniture, is weighing down the room. Your cabinets look fine. Look how light and bright this kitchen looks with light gold flooring and pale gray walls.