I would use the stain but try a little bit lighter as what you show on the floor currently is to close to the island color.

You want a lighter stain. Not that dark one. One with a hint of green to it, to tone down the red vs yellow blonde thing that hickory has. Hickory is always going to demand to be the star in the room. You just don't want it drunk. in a feather boa, reciting scenes from Dante's Inferno.

Are photos #1 and #2 the same? Is the only difference between photos #5 and #6 the lighting?

I like the hickory flooring finished as shown in these photos:

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Thank you for your time! yes i duplicated photo 1 2X. The other pics show the hickory with no finish. i asked my wood guy for a lighter stain tbat doesnt match my cabinets. my island is khaki and the outer are a stained white oak although they look the same.

I like natural. The question is the finish. Water based like Ciranova Ecofix+ or Woodlook in matte should work without yellowing. Bona also has products. What is your floor guy using?

I will ask him tomorrow. i do like the natural too

This floor is white oak but it was refinished with Bona ClassicSeal waterborne sealer.