Then you select select grade wood .All wood has different colors in the wood it is a natural look. Maple is no different and be aware it yellows with age even with a non yellowing finish. Usually to ge that very light all onbe color finish you satrt with an unfinished select grade maple then you white wash it to keep that very light look then a non yellowing finish no guarantee it will not yellow but will take a lot longer to do so. So go look for unfinished and have it site finished .

Yes, as mentioned, use unfinished and white wash it to slow down the yellowing.

We have Mirage in herringbone and are very happy with it. We needed engineered because it was over a concrete slab.

If you want a light floor without yellowing choose European Oak, Lots of sources. When you use engineered you get a wider plank to show more of the wood structure.

This is Monarch Plank. Hurst Flooring has product. 7-1/2″ Wide Planks | PanTim Hardwood Flooring sources French wood white oak.

I too like light flooring. I once had a maple floor in an office and loved it... I now have White Birch from LLflooring and love it too, a nice light floor, check with LLFlooring.

" We needed engineered because it was over a concrete slab."

No, you didn't actually.

I've had to pull solid wood floors from concrete. It was a nightmare.