You should remove the cork first as tiles need a flat and even surface to go on. Definitely remove the cork.

What kind of flooring alternatives are you looking for?

Beauty and practicality; Mmmmmm ..... When it is something that you love .... real wooden floors. Now vinyl just gets dirty , Ply looses it functionality, real wood however gains a patina. You want that. People pay thousands of dollars for that. Go with the most genuine example that you can afford of what you love. Factor in your budget and add to it, an area at a time and be pleased that your life gives character to it every day. By analogy; A mahogany french polished table will just give you a nervous break down every time someone doesn't use a coaster ... a hardwood table can be replenished over and over with hard wearing protective surface .... which you can repair. If you love it, if it adds genuine warmth and character, you won't mind maintenance. You won't be saying ...." look at this floor , isn't it amazing? It looks just like the real thing?"

Hi, Wondering if anyone has any ideas for our house layout? There are 2 options we are thinking of at this stage: 1 - keep the kitchen where it is located but take down the wall where the fridge (fridge is actually where the stove is located in this picture) is located and the wall where the door into that space is and put an island bar in. We would put a door in to block off the hallway/bedrooms. Possibly try and put access to the Laundry (which is in behind) so the laundry can be a laundry/scullery space as the laundry is quite a large space. This may not work though as the kitchen bench space would become quite small on that back wall. 2 - move the kitchen to the living room in the centre of the house and maybe have access to the side cupboard for a pantry cupboard and make the old kitchen space as a games/movies room. 3 - ???? Any other ideas are welcome. Thanks.