I would try the Woodcliff Lake, it has a warmer tone than the lighter greys.

My vote is for the wash but not in bright white and after some selective knot primer in the same tone. You are going to want to selectively primer down about 2/3 of the knots (use a dark white tinted primer), and use a dark white / brown toned off white instead of bright white so the beams still give you dark white on bright - that would be my vote. Consider something like bm stingray tinted primer and wash on the beams. You can add glaze for more working time or put down dropcloths and use water to cut it into a wash. Test it on some other raw wood that has had tannins develop for a few years. Then put it against your white wall - your husband will get the contrast and wood grain but you'll get the quiet palette you were hoping for. They both will have architectural depth and interest.

Which one did you decide on going with? I would've just gone with the pricier one because in my mind cost = quality, but that isn't always the case.

Hello, I haven't done it personally but I have seen planking broken up by laying it perpendicular. The bathroom and the scullery look like they would be better proportioned by running vertically rather than horizontally as shown on your plan. I think your best bet is to take or email your plan to a flooring installation specialist. I was wondering if you had considered the dining table closer to the kitchen by switching the dining and family areas. Looking from the entry - there are very long lines of planking which could make the area look thinner than it is. Have you considered adding interest to your entry by going on a diagonal and this could be carried through into the bathroom. This will of course be less of an issue if you are offsetting the planks and if you are it is less of an issue for your scullery. all the best with your build.