We had that type of granite recommended to us and we thought it reminded us more of a bathroom counter rather than a kitchen counter. Any other thoughts. Originally we had a tile floor in mind (see photo) -- would that work any better -- or is that just worse?

Try similar hues but lighter in tone?

Like this last one better. Proper lighting (task and other) will help bring out the cozy/warmth of it, esp with hardware. What color will you have for paint on the walls and ceiling. Not too dark on those...

Definitely the second one! Since you r cabinets and colors are so close in color and tonality, you just need something very simple as the counter top to continue with a subtle contrast, great suggestion, whoever made it.

The granite colors are better but, busy with the grain of the wood. The tile above is a bit to orange/terra cotta and do not offer enough contrast.

Floor tile looks like travertine? As much as I love travertine, it is too much with the granite. Plus the hardwood is easier on the feet when working in the kitchen.

I like the dark wood floors with the cabinet choice.

Although it is busy, I think the granite would be okay if you were very careful about other finishes. Is there a reason you can't change the granite?

we actually could change the granite but we are limited to what we can pick from (to about 15 variations). We were hoping to go for a Tuscan look to the house and we like these color cabinets so we are completely open to suggestions. The only thing about the granite is that it must not remind us of a bathroom counter (like that second photo). So flooring (wood/tile and color) and granite color are felxible.

The oak is off - take a look at a light fir, or if budget permits, a heart pine with variations

bmodleski - IMO - stick with the flooring and cabinet you already know you like, but if any of the granite choices are in the cream, tan, taupe, creamy-coffee range with softer contrast, maybe that would be easier to work with.

I would go with a lighter stain on your oak... and pull some pop with the hardware. OR stick with the floor and go with black granite and again pop with the hardware. enjoy ! you will love what ever you do.

I would go with a lighter stain on your oak... and pull some pop with the hardware. OR stick with the floor and go with black granite and again pop with the hardware. enjoy ! you will love what ever you do.

The granites that were available to us are below. Most are quite busy which we don't mind but hard to pick the right one to go with cabinets and floor.

I like the next to the bottom one in your third picture. It's a bit fuzzy, but appears to be Typhoon Bordeaux which is my favorite granite and will tie the colors together well.

In the top right picture, just below the black is the one I like, the almost creamy color, looks like "Crema (something)" (I'm on a small laptop right now). Lovely color to work with and would reflect light nicely in contrast with your darker wood choices. If you wanted something a bit darker, the "English Walnut" looks like it might work, but it would be much darker and more monchromatic.

Something to think about now while you are in the planning stages is to plan on under-cabinet lighting. It will help keep your kitchen well lighted and is easy to plan for now, rather than trying to install them after your cabinets are in place. Stay away from halogen or incandescent. Fluorescent is okay, but can still get warm and the light color can sometimes be a bit yellow or blue or green or just plain strange. Your best bet is to plan for LED and take some time to look at various LED light displays. Less expensive LED tends to be very blue-ish. Talk to whoever is planning your cabinets and go with a "daylight" or warm LED.

Love it! Just use a plain counter top.

Are you working with a big box store? If not you should be able to go view your slabs... While your cabinets are being made you have time to look at more stone.... I guess what I am trying to get across is you should not be rushed into choosing anything,... cabinets, stone, tile, floors etc etc YOU have hired them. Take your time and do your homework.. They will wait..

we are working with a homebuilder who has pretty strict deadlines on design choices. We Do you think our floor is too dark wtih the dark cabinetry for an open floorplan 2-story home? Ive also seen many articles stating a lighter floor will hide dents and scratches better but I'm thinking that with an engineered Oak we would be pretty safe anyways.

Oak is always a good call. Just a bit lighter. Builders tend to rush you because they need to close on the lot in order to move onto the next one... most times.. I am sure he has you on an allowance. What is your lead time on the cabinets?

we still have a month before they'll even go into production with the cabinets but they ideally want all finishes done this week.

If you are going with all wood cabinetry and wood floors, you will want to keep your countertops bright because that is a lot of wood and may feel dark. If you have the option of an island, it would be a great opportunity to brighten things up. You could do a cream/glazed or antiqued white island with a wood perimeter, or visa-versa (if your perimeter ended up lighter, you could go darker on the countertops). And if you have the option of a gloss level on your floors, go more matte to hide dirt and wear.

Have you thought of a more natural oak finish? I love the granite with the cabinets. You want that granite to stand out and it does. You're right in selecting a floor that's a different shade tham the cabinets but something is just not working for me.

I agree with Cottage Craft. I love a natural stain white oak floor.
I also took a closer look at your floors with your cabinet color, and I think they are fighting with each other. The cabinet has more red beneath it. While the floor is a warm color, it is actually cooler than the cabinet. The cabinet's red undertone is more prevalent when looking at the floor color. Maybe look at changing the floor color, otherwise maybe changing the cabinet color if there are other wood options for you?

these were the cabinet choices

I am having a hard time seeing all of them, but which is the one you chose? Is it at/near the bottom?

the photo of the 2 squares stained (in one rectangular piece) is alder (without the knots) stained. That's the one we liked -- choosing the lighter of those 2 stains.

Stay with the hardwood. You will like it much better. A walnut trav like that will get dirty and hold dirt more. As far as the stone, well G. Napoleon isn't that great of a stone. Well I should say that it is an ok stone, but has loads of micro fissures and the Sienna Bordeaux, Netuno or heck even the Typhoon Bordeaux will give you a better pallet to pull from with the cabinet and the floor. What ever your choice all stones will be easy to take care of.

Ok, I can see which cabinet color you chose.
I wonder if your bulder has an actual house he can suggest you could walk through that has the cabinet color and floor you chose. We are all looking at computer monitors, and maybe they are just fine companions in person.
Take a look at some photos below of cabinets and/or wood floors that are similar to your original selections. See if you prefer the contrast between cabinet and floor, or if you prefer for the wood colors to be similar.

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http://shawfloors.com/hardwood-floorsDetails/Nottoway_Hickory_3.25_HW354-Burnt_Barnboard
perhaps that flooring from Shaw is a better choice if we want to stick with the cabinets and counter in my original photo. We like a slight contrast in floors and cabinets.
Thoughts?

When we design we like to recommend having a dark, medium and light tone in the house. Alder is beautiful, but maybe try using a stain that has less red in it? This might look better when you are trying to match flooring and countertop. It also depends on what you are using for backsplash? Also, what your focal point is going to be in the kitchen? A Caesarstone or Cambria stone is nice because it doesn't have a lot of movement and it isn't very busy, this allows you to put in a backsplash that can be changed and updated without a lot of expense. I recommend this for resale purposes. I personally like the shiitake and wild rice colors for Caesarstone that just came out.

If you choose to use the dark color on your floors, remember that they show every single foot step and all the dust. I have been putting in some beautiful planks of the porcelain tile that looks like wood and it is way easier to spot mop and the majority of people cannot tell the difference.

I find that hickory can often be busier looking than oak. The link you sent doesn't show that so much, so perhaps that floor is an exception. But it is something to consider and inquire about when you see the floor in person.
If there are other oak options that are lighter / darker than your first choice, that may be worth looking at. I prefer the oak, but I will never be the one enjoying your lovely kitchen ;)
Sorry this is such a tough choice. When it comes to designing my own things, I can get paralyzed with indecisiveness! Just remember that it really just comes down to going with what makes you feel a connection.
Look at a lot of inspiration pics and take note of what it is in those that makes you connect.
What makes you like your "Tuscan" theme? Are the floors the centerpiece (weathered? patina?), or is it the stonework that matters more (travertine backsplash)? Maybe it's the cabinets, or special details in the backsplash.
I think you should definitely stick with a contrast between floor and cabinets. But which species floor and what color cabinet is a personal thing. I just installed common #2 oak in our cottage last year, knots, worm holes and all. Somebody else might have preferred smooth natural maple that has minimal variation.
I would really revisit what made you want to go Tuscan, and then pull from those pictures/visions the specific elements you like (making sure not to try to make every one the star... :)

You have some great input going.

Speaking from experience, dark or medium floor and cabinets create a seamless look only if they are the same tone. It's better to have them be closely matched or completely different.

If you have never worked in a dark kitchen, and the home doesn't have much natural light -- it will be a closed in space (for feeling).. I have experience living/working in a kitchen with offwhite walls, oak cabinets, dark grey floor, dark grey counters and white appliances and sink. Not a friendly or uplifting look at all.

I've also lived/worked in kitchen with light floors, light cabinets and dark grey counters (again) with white subway tile all around. I do like the 2nd space better because it reflects more light. Cabinets are flat and blond color. Floor is light sand ceramic. Face of dishwasher same blond color. Stainless appliances. It has a sleek look.

But, my point really is: lighting, feeling, personal taste. You really just need to find that place in your mind that accepts all three for your home. Once that happens, you will be comfortable with making a decision.

http://www.houzz.com/projects/91503/Miscellaneous-Projects there are some pictures in here of combination wood floor, wood cabinets and granite. Hope you can see something that sparks an idea. I was looking for an example of what someone has already paid for so you can learn from their choices. :=)

Thank You! I am also worried about things being too dark but the kitchen is in an open floor plan that opens up to the living room with 2-stories of windows 3 top, 3 bottom. In the evening though it could get more depressing. If we went with the cabinets in pic one above and the granite in that photo, what would be your idea of a flooring that would go well (a wood floor)?

Here's our newly completed kitchen in Typhoon Bordeaux. The floors are Pasadena Maple (California Classics). The cabinets are painted Banana Cream. The center island is a stained maple. The backsplash is not in yet but it will be custom hand-fired stones in 3 colors: an off-white, a pale yellow and a rich brown.

This was a 2012 post.