Personally I like the first one best, but after looking at your room pics, my thought was the dark (second) probably goes the best with the decor. I think you will be very happy with the laminate. I have had a whitewashed color (light) in my kitchen and entryways for about 12 years and they have held up beautifully. There are a few little nics, but not very many considering the hard wear they get. I had even had a little leak from the dishwasher and for awhile between two planks it was a little raised/warped. It has since fixed itself
over time.