Uh, what are your cabinets -- wood? white? gray??

Are you from the Bay Area? You're more than welcome to look for some ideas at our website: http://bayarea.thehomemag.com/Directory/Images/Kitchens

I'm wondering about the cabinets too. A pale gray on the base cabinets and white on the uppers might calm it all down. The counters would blend with the gray and the eye would travel upwards towards the white.

I'm sorry acm, I did forget that didn't I. My cabinets are durasupreme in the white with a very light Platinum wash

I love your countertop and I love it with the wood. I have a 5 room apartment with 5 different types of flooring. You don't have to match the rest of the house.

Have you looked at the tiles that look like wood? You might consider that. There are some great "driftwood" looks that would look awesome with your countertops. Since this floor isn't part of open plan concept, i suspect rep you had was trying to sell most expensive solution. There are also some new engineered woods that are priced well and look amazing. I think you are close. You are at the "tear your hair out" part of project but it will be ok.

The oak floor you posted would fight with grays you have planned for kitchen. IMO

I am definitely at the tear my hair out stage. I feel ridiculous over the stress this is causing. I've looked at so many woods now my brain is a jumble. Thanks for the encouragement.

@Flo Mangan, that's what I thought. Too much movement. Thanks.

Sometimes when you get to this point, you have to pivot to other ideas and it opens a new world for you. Here are a couple of just such ideas.

I think a tile like this would be gorgeous with your countertop, which is also really nice btw. There are a lot of choices along this line right now and as you can notice from this one, there is some of that redish touches which would tie in with the other wood in your home. there are ones that are lighter, in case your space is in need of more light.And there are darker choices. If you have a Emser Tile place near you, or you can go on line, check this type option out. It is quite nicely priced too. Do you think this might be an option for you?

Need to get this flooring in before cabinets and appliances, so time is probably of the essence, as if you didn't know that! lol

Stress is what's for dinner ::laugh::

I love the Monarch planks in the first picture. Exactly what I wanted until the flooring guy ripped me a new one telling me never to put a different wood color or species than my other wood floors. I thought because it had a door, which we will make a french door so you can see into the kitchen from the other room but becomes a separation point. What do I know, I'm NOT a decorator. ugh

It could also be that the oak would pick up the brown tones in the counter. Once I saw the cabinet choice it made sense. A flooring change from the rest of the house could be more jarring to the eye in the long run. I will say that the flooring guy has no clue, though. He is talking in general terms and trying to sell flooring. Bet he hasn't stepped inside your house. Pick what you like and post it. Can't wait to see.

1) counters will look great with that cabinet pick -- relax! :)

2) there is a definite rusty streak that will accommodate most medium wood flooring. I can't tell what sort you were looking for, but I imagine as long as it doesn't clash tonally with any flooring it abuts directly, you'll be fine. could match what you have elsewhere or go several shades in either direction.

3) I'd recommend against herringbone for reasons of busy pattern. the wood grain will be enough.

Flo shows some good examples of pickled floors, which can give a grayish cast and also calm the grain a bit. but I honestly think you'll be ok even if you match what you have elsewhere -- the floor will read as a tone, not as a pattern, and it seems to go with your other choices; I'm not saying that's preferable, particularly, but it might be simpler than trying to pick from an infinite array of options.

hang in there! some day soon you'll actually be living in your kitchen rather than stressing over it!

I think your countertop is beautiful, a nice calm floor like the gray tiles and driftwood mentioned above may easily make you love it again. Good luck!

Normally, i would push for same flooring throughout spaces, particularly in small home, but extending the oak wood into your kitchen that is separate just doesn't work BUT what u could do is tie the look of that floor into your kitchen with perhaps an oak look tile border then driftwood look tile planks in center. Maybe just border the island. Get to tile place as soon as you can and take samples or pictures of existing floor, countertop and cabs. I can see this really looking unique and grand. Can you post pick of current kitchen and adjoining room(s) and i could do a conceptual sketch for you or one of our talented posters can take the pic and "paint" in options for you to see and visualize in your space. There are tiles in the wood look you have but i wouldn't do whole floor because it will look too dark i believe. This would be unexpected.

Here is a picture that kind of shows what I mean along with a sample of the tile you can find.

I don't care for this layout, but it gives you an idea of what you could accomplish with a tile on tile approach. This is probably wood and tile or stone, since it is a high-end kitchen. But imagine the wood as a tile. Here is another picture of that product.This is an example of a more Oak look. Another example of an idea coming up. This is a twist on "parkay" look which is coming back and in your house, if it is kind of vintage, might work on the entire floor! It is porcelain tile. One example.another, and I think it comes in darker look too, I just couldn't quickly find it.this is tile as well. So you can see, that you might have some great ways to make this floor a real special deal. Always fun, taking a problem and making the whole concept better than originally formulated. See what you think.

I'm still not convinced the oak is a misstep. If the floor is a medium to light shade the kitchen will have nothing to ground your eye. I'm speaking from an artists point of view. Look at kitchen photos with oak flooring before you give up on it. I think it could serve as your third color. Most rooms are too bland if there is no contrast.
And, thank you and your great responders for perking up my 'home sick' day. I was bored to tears.

watzuhury - if you go on line to Emser and get to the "porcelain" tile click on Woodwork and there are several options there as well. I couldn't get them over to Houzz. There are also examples of Parquet Oak which is the interesting look I mentioned earlier.

I will look right now. Thanks so much

This isn't exactly like your kitchen, but I thought it kind of gives you look of the whiter cabinets, the darker floor (pretend it is your oak) and the grey tones that will come with the quartzite. Will your appliances be stainless? If they are, or will be, I really would lean toward the greyish wood tiles. But your call. I think it would be a less expensive option. Around here, it is very hard to find all wood floor installers that know what they are doing anymore. So many are going to the tile flooring, that even the suppliers of the all woods have moved to engineered woods so something to think about. I think we have given you a couple of options, and now you have to decide. The on line pictures, do nothing for these wood look products. If you can find them in person, do it because they are totally amazing. They are using HD techniques that produce real quality at pretty low pricing. Keep us posted. I'll keep checking in, in case you have further questions. When do you have to make final decision?

Only my Bertazzoni stove will have the stainless, except the over the counter microwave. Dishwasher and refrigerator both have cabinet panels.

I only have a week or so.

Ok. I think you can go either way, but not with that wood salesman. Installation is critical. Is your subfloor in good shape or will you need new subfloor that is very important either with wood or tile. Need a stable, nice flat surface. What are outer wall measurements of kitchen?

Don't worry. It is going to be gorgeous. Remember, no one ever gain a day of extended life by worrying. Just keep looking at your options and you will know when you feel it. Right now you just aren't feeling it. But you will. You have already made some great decisions, so the finish line is in sight!

I just read through this and sorry to but in as you have gotten such good advice already. I think your countertop and cabinets are very lovely BTW. Is there a reason the floor has to be all wood? There is a bit of warmth in the quartzite and I'm sure you want to incorporate the wood from the rest of your home into this room but you could do a combination of tile and wood. The tile could be in the cooler tones and you could band it in the wood. Examples.

any chance you could refinish the wood floors through the entire floor that the kitchen is on. You have what looks to be beautiful solid oak floors that are a much higher quality than most "wood" floors. It might be cheaper and you could do a lovely darker stain which would match great. You could match the finish to the kitchen items. Even if not open floor plan, it is much better visually to have same floors throughout. Btw while I am not a huge fan of busy counters yours does seem much lovelier than most. I think once it is in you might love it.

Yes, we are probably going to refinish the oak floor anyway. Wasn't sure if I should go lighter or actually darker. Husband is having knee replacement replaced (10th surgery) on Tuesday and I'm stressed to the max. It's clouding my judgement I think. No time for wine just Whine, ::laugh::