photos of current remodeling

Looking good! Is that new backsplash being installed? Did you have specific concerns or questions?

Could you try out both options on a board to see which you prefer? Some people like contrasting grout on a vertical surface. Showcases the tile shape. Others prefer a "quieter" installation, for lack of a better term.

Before you do your backsplash consider adding under cabinet lighting, even if just between the sink and range. If you have any thoughts of replacing the countertop in the next 5 years, wait on the backsplash or do something temporary or easily removable like beadboard. If you change the counter later, chances are the new counter won't work great with the slightly older backsplash and there may be a gap between new counter and splash.

Oak cabinets work best with simpler backsplash. If you use a smallish hex tile, contrasting grout could make it look too busy. When the tile is up, but before it is grouted, there will be the illusion of a contrasting grout, and that can give you some indication of what that would look like. I was trying to make the same decision, but just thought the contrast was too much for me - and mine is subway tile with less grout lines.

My kitchen:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

My wood kitchens idea book - be sure to keep in mind the grain in your cabinets compared to the ones in the idea book - more grain means more "movement" and you need to be more concerned with surfaces looking busy:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

I suggest getting samples and seeing what you like. You do have to be careful with too much gray with warm wood. Neither does anything for the other, though gray is fine in small or light doses or using a warm gray - which often has a green or beige undertone. I have seen a movement away from lots of gray in newer design pics - it has been a bit overdone, though continues to have a place as a neutral in many designs. My countertop actually does have some warm creams and a hint of beige though along with some gray tones though it doesn't show so much in the previous picture:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~120929431

If you want a nearly white with some light pattern, look at LG Soprano quartz or Witch Hazel in Corian - there are many others, but my mom also has oak cabinets and those were two I saw that might work if you did not want too much movement in the countertop. Granites are also pretty though some are very busy and sometimes that can be a bit much with oak. The black granites work well - but that can really darken a kitchen - be sure to get the under cabinet lighting if you go dark.

Sometimes the sample size at the store is so small it is hard to get a good idea of the big picture, so look online or better yet in kitchen and bath stores to see if you can find a kitchen display with a large countertop that looks good with warm wood. Take a door with you to hold up to samples too. Also, nothing wrong with laminate - I've seen many pretty ones. If ordering laminate, your backsplash will look best if it starts at the countertop just like the one you have now - don't get the built in 4" splash that is often added to laminate.

That is my countertop - LG White Pearl. It has a lot of movement close up, but when you step back, it calms down as you can see from my first picture of my kitchen. More pics of the counter and my kitchen here. Some close-ups of the counter at the end of the idea book:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57579129/list/my-pics-work-in-progress

Menard's also sells it as Riverstone Flaked Pearl. They do not install, so it is easier to get it from a kitchen and bath store. However, Menard's does usually have a big piece on display. In my area they have it paired with an awful, busy backsplash on a display kitchen. It was a little more expensive then others but my kitchen is not big and I did the island a year later.

No - my counter top is quartz.

I am not sure how this one in this next link - which is a granite would look in your kitchen This is also an oak kitchen I think, but slightly darker tone cabinets. The name of the granite is listed in the thread:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/finally-finished-with-kitchen-updating-dsvw-vd~4512247

This person used marble with her similar cabinets - you have to scroll down to see pics of the finished kitchen. The marble looks beautiful with the oak. That is not surprising since marble was used on oak wash stands back in the day.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/is-this-oak-dsvw-vd~5320742

However, marble is not very durable - subject to staining and etching. I did not want to worry about the taking care of it. I like that my countertop is reminiscent of marble - which is why it works with the oak, without having the worry of marble.

Here is what I would do. Giallo Ornamental light (not dark, the dark will be too brown)

I would match a cream from the granite for the BS.

This is a modestly priced granite. I wouldn't go with the Pearl Quartz as it looks too fancy for your cabinets.

White River might be another one to look at. You want a granite with creams and some brown.

I agree to staying with a lighter granite. I say no to grays, or marble/marble looking color waves. It just won't jive with your oak.

When you find what you like, get a sample. Take the sample to a tile store. Try not to pick a granite that will be hard to match up with a tile. Yes, this can happen.

I just googled Oak cabinets with Giallo Ornamental light, but I have to say the examples did not look like the granite that I know. However, it gives you an idea. You can google oak cabinets and put other types of granites and see what pops up.