Hi Hannah, there has been a stunning transformation in the design aesthetics of Luxury Vinyl flooring in the last few years with the ability to replicate timber and stone looks by using advances photographic technologies. Luxury Vinyl is a perfect flooring choice for those wanting a hard flooring plank option, whether it be replicating a distressed or whitewashed timber look, stone, dark marble effect or just a plain tile option. Thanks, Choices Flooring

Definitely depends if the ground floor is slab on ground or lightweight structure. If it is lightweight than concrete isn't an option anyway! Concrete is a hardy material, but it needs to be protected during construction. Timber integrates that warm natural feeling that can often make or break a home! What materials are being used for the remainder of the design. If there is already a lot of timber, it can be beneficial to incorporate concrete or tiles so that the timber isn't overbearing. If the remainder of the palette is simple white plasterboard, than the warm timber floor is often beneficial.

At first I thought OMG what are you thinking with putting a grey kitchen in with all that beautiful wood. But I did a google search, and found the colours look good together. I would keep the floor a neutral colour and pattern. Not concrete look, not wood look, definitely not slate look. Refer to the photo below, a neutral floor with the grey kitchen, let the wood be the feature.

In an apartment you need to check before you add floating floors. Some buildings have regulations to assist with noise control. If you keep the tiles, do they have the same under tones as the paint you’re considering using?- a clash between a cool and warm white will always look odd.