If you click on the photo you will see a bigger area of the hickory and our flooring is under the Cambria.

A light cream glass subway tile would make a beautiful transition without taking away from the rest of the kitchen. You said gloss and glass are out of the picture so maybe you could opt for a glazed cream porcelain tile? Do you have photos of the kitchen space so I can see what kind of style you have going on in that space?

Thank you Vicci Design!

The kitchen is not started yet. Our original footprint is doubling in size by taking down a wall leading into the old dining area. It will be an L shape with a narrow and long island and then nothing on the wall adjacent to the L because of being too narrow. We opted for island instead of cupboards on other wall due to spacing to walk/move/work. That wall will most likely become a refined barn wood wall (so it will not look TOO farm/rustic) to blend with the craftsman style and painted cupboards.

My worry with cream subway tile is that it will blend too much with the divine white uppers and too little with the counter. I want something that will connect everything together without being too busy.

What about a tile style like these (see five color links below)

http://www.motawi.com/collections/glazes-for-installation-tile/products/5236-rothwell-gray-matte-glaze

http://www.motawi.com/collections/glazes-for-installation-tile/products/5203-burnt-sienna-matte-glaze

http://www.motawi.com/collections/glazes-for-installation-tile/products/5216-chamois-matte-glaze

http://www.motawi.com/collections/glazes-for-installation-tile/products/2019-sepia-matte-to-glossy-glaze

http://www.motawi.com/collections/glazes-for-installation-tile/products/5143-light-sand-matte-glaze