I am building a custom house and I plan to have luxury vinyl plank flooring from Kardean, they have a very good quality product.

I'd go with 3/4" ash engineered floor - oil finish and 1/8" cork underlayment. Here is why
1. being a floating floor the seam between board do not open and close with temperature and humidity. (all expansion takes place at the floors edge)
2.Oil finish seals the spaces between boards and are easy to repair and refinish from dog claws or other scratches.
3. The cork gives just enough cushion without feeling bouncy.
4. Being engineered it makes wider boards more affordable.
5. While being more expensive it is a very simple DYI project that requires few tools to install. ( I've done it & many of my owner builder students have accomplished it with ease.
6. Ash is a hardwood that is common to the area and a supplier I know in Maine charges less for it than oak or Maple. 5" boards cost the same as 4" so go with the 5 for the look your trying to achieve.

I always use your sweat equity to buy higher quality materials.
7. remember if you like that knotty look it is available for about a dollar a square foot less than clear. This is true for almost any wood.

Hi Jane, what is going on as far as flooring in the rest of your home?

Dytecture: we have light hardwood floors in the front foyer, 1/2 bath, formal living room and dining room. The TV room, which is adjacent to the open kitchen, has boring beige carpet. We will eventually replace the heavily worn carpet, but not until we are a pet-free house (another couple of years). Upstairs is all carpet, with vinyl flooring in the bathrooms.

Find a floor person who can match the wood flooring & install that in kitchen.

Just to let you know you are not alone we are going through the same exact decision. Will be getting white shaker cabinets and cannot figure out flooring. Tried porcelain 18 x 18 but find it difficult to see one color tile in store then when you bring home a sample it is a totally different color in your home. I am thinking of hardwood just because it is easier to decide but fear I will be sorry because if water drips on it, etc. It seems so many people have hardwood floors these days and I really have not heard to many regrets. Also the porcelain wood look floors look nice but I cant figure out what color I would get if rest of house is natural light white oak.