Get the professional sander guys in to repair the living areas and kitchen but don't go too dark with the stain as it will kill the lovely grain in the matai. I'm thinking a couple of tones richer than the timber knots showing in your photo, definitely no yellow tone at all. In NZ stepping on to carpet especially in a kiwi winter is so much nicer than a cold floor board shock!!! A nice area rug for the lounge and you're done.

Bump

Flooring should be light. I'm not sure how a bamboo floor would work. Did you end up going ahead with the kitchen plans? What did you go with?

I'd love help picking a couch and rug color for our living room! As much as we would love white, it's a high traffic area with kids so we're leaning toward gray but I'm not sure what color rug would go with that... Also light gray or dark gray? Any help would be appreciated!