I like the darker one better for the contrast, especially w/your granite. the gray stain is a little on the pink side for the flooring.

are these custom stains? perhaps he can lighten the darker one? If it's a open area, it won't make it feel smaller, so don't worry about that issue.

that flooring is going to look very busy once you get it all laid. just so you know. I know you said you love it, but have you seen a picture of if in a room??

if you really like the gray cabinets, try a flooring like this

or a fumed red oak

More natural wood colors will have better design longevity. You are going to really dislike all of that gray and black in two years when everyone has moved on. It’s already happened in a lot of the country.

Sorry, neither ? They both look dark and "dry" with the flooring. And call me weird, I always have and always will love a white kitchen. First place one goes in the am!! How about a white perimeter, and the dark on the island cabinetry all tops the same........: ) Best of both worlds. I'd STILL consider a deep woody tone not quite as dark for the island.

No to both. No one wants and all black kitchen with dark gray floors. That's not even interesting & it swallows all the light in the room.

Here are gray kitchens with black islands and grayish wood flooring.

yes it's gray,,,but it's not the best stain job done w/the best type of stain.

however, after you've lived with it awhile, you could always have them painted the white you like.

@Alison - I was wondering the same. I will always go for a white kitchen, but I think those ones are nice (just in someone else’s house).

The darker one does add more contrast but it is dark...you really need to be a dark cabinet person. The gray looks washed out and I agree with the person who said it is a bit pink. Also be prepared for your actual cabinets to have uneven staining based on the sample.

To me you are kind of picking things out in the wrong order. Cabinets are very visible. Especially in an open floor plan. They need to be selected “ahead” of things like the counter. Flooring especially in an open plan can be before but I still go cabinets first and find they kind of set the flooring.

I am really surprised white would be an upgrade. Maybe though because they charge more for paint on wood. Do you have option of painted MDF?

medium density fiberboard. it won't expand and contract like wood. a lot of wood cabs use the mdf for panels so they won't shrink or crack. when painted, they look beautiful.

Amp,,,what kind of wood are these cabinets that are being stained? Alder? birch? do you know?

Don't assume that because things "match" they're going to look good together. It could end up being dark and boring.

@BeverlyFLADeziner the pictures you posted of dark kitchens are bad quality.

Here is a nice kitchen with dark cabinetry that doesn’t “swallow” light.

Amp, yes because the floor in your picture is LIGHT!!

@BeverlyFLADeziner You probably think the floor is dark gray from lighting in first pic.

The floor that I chose is far from DARK like in pictures you posted.

To give you a better visual, here.

I prefer the darker one, too. It makes the contrast with your floor and grey seems too usual. However, the darker one gives a high-end feeling.

Black Matte Lacquer Kitchen Cabinet-OP16-L14 · More Info

Black Matte Lacquer Kitchen Cabinet-OP16-L14 · More Info