We are using quarter-sawn oak in a medium finish with white oak floors with a natural finish and a light counter. That River White is great! I also am drawn to the quartzites that look like marble (we could never maintain it in our busy family). Very much like that gorgeous bathroom vanity. Carol - what flooring is under that cardboard? Do post pics! These cabs are lyptus ($$) but this granite is pretty (Venetian gold?) [Craftsman Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/craftsman-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2116) by Columbus Architects & Designers Andrew Melaragno

Ok, so my DH brought it home and..... I don't like it :( Sometimes things have a way of growing on me but I don't think that this will. And, of course, the cabinet isn't finished yet so it's a bit hard to see it and judge with the cabinet looking the way it does above rather than the rest of the cabinets. My complaints - I think it'll be too dark. It's the darkest thing in the kitchen and it's basically the longest uninterrupted stretch of counter (the area next to it is 112 but that includes the sink) so it seems very visually prominent. I'm not a huge fan of the strips of wood next to the strips of wood in the floor. The finish on it is pretty shiny and somehow it appears very lifeless and flat - DH commented that it looks like laminate! I realize that this could be changed with a different finish on it. The positives - it looks really nice with the dark wainscotting in the dining room. It's not in the dining room of course but the view through is nice. The wood itself is pretty gorgeous. The colors and patterns are SO pretty. I'm thinking now that I need a different wood species. I think I'd prefer something that's more in keeping with the colors in the floor. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm thinking about sapele, mahogany, cherry, teak and maple. I think I'd probably prefer a plank style so that it's not as visually similar to the floor. Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated!!

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately the closest Woodcraft store is down in Orange County, and the thought of fighting the freeway traffic makes me ill. I found the attached website that carries some pretty tints, and I may order the transtint dye in dark mission brown and play with adding it to clear shellac in different proportions and see what happens. Maybe a little black, too. With enough samples, I should get it right before I try it on the doors and windows! Is there any problem with using the Zinsser clear shellac? I can pick it up at Lowe's easily. I thought I read in an article that there is an issue with the small amount of wax in the zinsser product, but I can't remember where I read it or what the issue was. I could order flakes or the pre-mixed concentrate if it would be better. Now I just need some time off work to practice. Here is a link that might be useful: Homestead Finishing

OK, maybe this sounds silly, but if it were me I would stay away from the cream cabinets in the mudroom. It is, after all, a MUD room and while you will certainly keep it clean, mine has seems to continually get tracks and smudges here and there. Our lockers and bench don't show it so much in the honey spice stain, but I am continually wiping down the light colored walls (where my kitties jump from the floor to the window - no kids, but if you have them, you'll have similar issues I'd think). The ebony stain coordinating with the island sounds good to me. If you have good lighting in the mud room, it should not be too dark. And if the stain is that dark could you do a wood other than cherry and still be ok (to save on the costs)? If it is separated from the kitchen island at least somewhat, will it be noticeable? Maybe try the same stain on similarly grained woods... just an idea. Sounds like you will have a wonderful mudroom if it is like nomorebluekitchen's! Oh, and I'd definitely go for the lockers... I LOVE my lockers. Cheers, -Kim