OP here...to keep you all updated: we have decided to go with BM Natura paint which is zero VOC and odorless. Using eggshell finish on walls and flat on ceiling. Ceiling color will match Kelly Moore Swiss Coffee since that is what is on the rest of house's ceilings. Two walls will be BM Ladyfinger and the central wall will be BM Mascarpone...color names seem appropriate given its the kitchen:) Paint goes on tomorrow (Sunday) so I will let you all know how things go and what we think of the BM Natura paint. Stay tuned for photos!

If your contractor can't guarantee that grout lines will be minimal with wood-look tile, then how can he guarantee that they will be minimal with the 12x24 tile? A good tile installation has 2 parts, first is a good quality tile and the second is a great installer. There is a third component and that is building a good/level structure that is ready for tile, without having to use bucket loads of leveling compound! We used a wood look tile about 8 years ago when we built a guest house. It was a high quality tile that was straight and level and the installer was able to lay it like real wood, with a random layout. No lippage due to good materials and great workmanship.

@lildesignworks thanks for the insights. We do have 1 room with Chantilly lace and a few rooms with SW pure white upstairs. Somehow we like the brightness of that 1 CL room. But I see your point. Thanks. Another confusion I always have is, would we be able to carry 2 colors well for the cabinets if we go with black base and white uppers. @herbflavor @emmarene9 We are not a big fan of browns :/ These are dark brown cabinets. We may go and do them actual black at the very least. I really appreciate all the help from this community!

Kristin Windhorst, if you will look at a thread here on Houzz, Adura Max vs Cortec, you will find many photos of actual installs of SuperCore. I had SuperCore Krypton installed in a home I sold in 2020 and it turned out great. I had moved before the install, but do know that it’s easy upkeep. My new construction home has SuperCore Elkhorn floors, and I love them. The planks are 7” wide and 60” long. My flooring has a micro bevel that I can’t even see. Both of my choices would be too rustic for you, but I love them. There are many choices of color and style in SuperCore. Oak Natural is a pretty hardwood look with little contrast between planks, Gunstock is a darker choice, and there are many others. WeShipFloors.com has a great website with good info on SuperCore. Barbara and Zoe were so helpful to me with both floors. They sent numerous samples and answered my many questions. The phone number is on the website if you have questions. Good luck on your flooring search. If you decide on SuperCore I don’t think you will be sorry.