I don't know about what the best flooring would be as I don't have a dog. But, how easy it is to change it will depend on how it was laid. If the flooring was laid after the kitchen was installed then it should be fairly easy. If the kitchen was installed on top of the tiles, then I would say it's going to be near impossible, without removing the kitchen first - my parents are in this position.

Hi, you can get professionals to clean and seal your stone. You can also do it yourself, but I'd presume the professional clean would be better. I've sealed my own stone tiles and it was very easy. A simple wipe on then off process. From what I understand your stone is uneven surface. From that I think you can't put flooring on top without leveling it out. And considering it doesn't cover all the floor, I'd remove it if you were planning a new floor finish. But if your not fussed for the floor, and watching your budget, and plan to replace it at some stage, I'd get my DIY on with some stone cleaner and sealer.

Oh another you were worried about breakfast bar behind hob. We have separate dining room so this is really for simple breakfast and lunch. My family won't eat while I am cooking as I make dinner and then ask them to come. I am just thinking that I don't have much prep space between sink and hob. May be this is what you were worried about.... Errrr awkward sized Kitchen. Need wow!!! also need practicality?????

It's quite hard to tell if an island would fit widthways as it's hard to get a perspective where the supporting column is to the left of the kitchen unless you had a really short one. It also doesn't look as if one could run the other way as I'm not sure you could swing the table around and the benches in the living area appear to be built in so you may be limited on a reshuffle? I'm not sure if you're tiling behind the hob but wonder if you'd consider putting a runner in front of the oven? Lovely room btw