We accomplished this by keeping an open concept between the kitchen and dining room.The lighter kitchen cabinet color we used really gave a brighter and larger feeling to a smaller area.

On all the walls, directly facing the sun or now, the newly painted color was noticeably lighter than the original paint.

I also have the option to do lighter repairs and rent both out if needed.

I would try to break up the darkness with some color or a lighter color skirting - a light stone would probably look pretty cool if you can handle the expense and work involved - if you can find something that brings together the dark brown of the house and bright green of the surrounding grass  - something like a light green tint/yellow green - it would tie everything together.

New lighter (off white) floor yes.If that counter top isn't damaged I'd leave it and match floor to it.

The power was off, and I only had a cigarette lighter, but hey no big openings so at worse a few mice or a snake right.

I like the poly only idea, but the houses I have the floors are so damaged I cant /shouldn't use a lighter stain or poly only.In an older home with damaged floors or where we've , I use jacobean stain (darker brown).

Perhaps I should do a blog with a longer explanation and a lighter tone.

using flooring nails and a power nailer which is the best way to go. so you don't beat the wood with dents from missed hammer blows.but if all you have is a hammer have at it but be careful.ok now for the staining.I recommend you get three cans of stain all of which should be close to your color of floor. going a little darker but not lighter. if you use three colors lighter by a shade if you use four colorscarefully use a darker shade against the nearest board of the old floor followed by your lightest shade followed by another darker shade followed by the middle shade. be sure to stay in the lines of the board and try not to go astray.actually using a rag turn it but dont worry too much about keeping your colors too separated the more contamination of stain from board to board the better it will give more illusion of uniformity in contrast this sounds contradictory to what I said about staying in the lines.

In the future we might go with an even lighter grey but we are pretty happy with how it turned out.