I'm far from an expert, but I know that my personal opinion when it comes to color schemes is that there should be good contrast in a room, even if it's only a floor that contrasts from the rest of the room that is stark white or what have you. That said, for me the answer to your question would be to choose a floor color that is either light enough or dark enough to show a stark contrast with your cabinet sample.

That said, your walnut finish cabinets seem to be fairly in the middle of the light-to-dark stain spectrum. Certainly some of the woods you've picked out are much lighter than the walnut, but it's also true that a rich, espresso finish would likewise differ from the walnut cabinets. In fact, my eyes are not really drawn to the samples of flooring that you've shown the walnut cabinet up against, but instead the actual floor that is underneath those flooring samples. Look at that contrast, on most all of the pictures. The more cinnamon tone in the one picture would look quite nice with your cabinets. So would a nice stone white tile, such as in the other picture. And then in another there's a rich chocolate floor. Look at all of those and ask yourself which looks better against your walnut sample--the flooring samples you've picked out, or the flooring that they are laying on. If your answer is the latter, then try to see if you can find a product that matches those better, or one similar that you like even more.

Lastly, while I hate it when people don't answer the question and try to change a person's mind about the direction they're going, I would ask why you feel compelled to go with wood on wood. If it's a cabin effect you're looking for, then that may be all that needs to be said. But if you're looking for just a neat look, don't be too standoffish about a tile floor with your walnut cabinets, because that would also be a nice look. At the very least it would be worth it too glance at a few tile samples up against your walnut sample, as you may find something there that will work better.

But again, I think the magic is going to be from the contrast. I'd be sure to think about your plans for the rest of the room, what color your appliances and windows and ceilings are, and then run with a floor that complements the room, but one that contrasts from the cabinets.

Casey Nicholson, thank you for your thorough analysis. To answer your questions- the reason we want to go with wood-look tile is because of our open floor plan. The floor will continue throughout living and dining area. We like the look of wood, but don't want to go with the "real thing" due to having many pets. So now the challenge is how to achieve the perfect balance between two wood-look surfaces without it looking like a cabin.

Based on that, my personal preference would be to go back to the store and see if you can find that more cinnamon type of tone (a bit darker than maple, I'd say, the fourth picture over) that you see on the showcase floor. I really think that in a large, open space that would pair nicely with your walnut cabinet. It contrasts well with the cabinet, and would be beautiful in a larger space than just the kitchen. I suppose it partly depends on the color of your pets' hair, though. If you think that the pet hair would still contrast with that color, then I'd be looking to go with a very dark, rich, espresso color to get that same contrast effect.

Also, I'd be attentive to the gloss when you're picking out both the floor and the cabinet finishes. From what I can tell, your cabinet sample doesn't look very glossy (that may be a trick of the light, as it does look a bit glossy in the one picture), whereas that cinnamon floor that I like does have a much higher gloss look to it. That is another way that you can achieve a contrast between the cabinet and the floors--satin or semi on one, and semi or high gloss on the other.

Cork is fabulous for pets!

I'd like to know what you've chosen? I'm in the same exact position. I know its got to be lighter or darker than the walnut cabinets. I'm leaning towards lighter (I don"t have the pet hair issue) I really want a wood look (porcelain tile) because my living room and dining room are wood. And will refinish those floors to work with the new addition. I'm thinking just a few shades lighter than the cabinetry or going significantly lighter like natural oak. Or possibly something with streaks of dk wood and greys, which there seems to be a lot available of that.

what color counter are you doing?

I like the first and the third

Yay for your new cabinets! Such an exciting change, and I love that you chose walnut.

I definitely agree with contrast, whether much darker (my own preference based upon how your cabinet color is coming across on my screen) or lighter. I don't care for any of the lighter grays, as your cabinets are warm and those just don't complement it as best they could. The darker one is on the right track, but the grain is so similar to your cabinets that I find it competing.

That said, may I share a pic of my own walnut island with real wood floors? We also have lots of pets (canine and feline) and kids, and we opted for traditional "boring" white oak stained with Early American and finished in place (not engineered or lock-together). I can't believe how well it is holding up, very few if any scratches and they just aren't noticeable (over three years now). It was less expensive than tile would have been, and even less expensive than all the carpeting we did upstairs! If it ever does get worn, a simple, inexpensive screening process (not a full refinishing job) totally refreshes it.

I know this is not in line with the advice you are asking for, my apologies for that. I have had expensive, high-quality engineer floors that were scratched to heck after only six months and hated them. I thought I wouldn't go wood again. I know where you are coming from, and my experience has taught me something. So I hope you don't mind my sharing it in case it opens up an alternative for you.

Oh dear, old post. Sorry! Would love to see what you chose too!