We have had BR-111 Brazilian Teak for several years. It has a good bit of variation, probably more than my DH wanted but I actually enjoy it. We tried to find something that would work with our existing den paneling. The floor has brown, gold and red in it but it is not a red floor like Brazilian Cherry. The floor has held up very well but it is possible to scratch it. I did it with a staple in the bottom of a chair leg. :( We will probably be installing it in the rest of the main floor of our house, including the kitchen. We are in the process of updating our kitchen and we felt that a painted cabinet would look better with this floor because it is fairly dark and because of the variation. I think my interior designer would have preferred that I use a distressed floor with a more uniform color that would not show anything. I decided not to worry too much about the floor and just enjoy it. It is 3/4" Brazilian Teak after all. I wish it were cheaper!!! I hope the photo link works. Please forgive the worn out furniture and the bits of popcorn. Good luck with your decision. http://www.flickr.com/photos/34162691@N03/

Also- Contractor is pushing Bellawood. Are there better suppliers in NYC?

Cherry and cherry are lovely. Are you going to have different stains? Maybe these ideas can help.... Wood cabs and wood floors .... more ideas. Walnut floors ( not to tempt you but to show you that the cheaper cherry or even oak can be just as pretty)

I was going to do a medium-grey soapstone (still sad I'm not doing it, actually) and I think that would look great. Or obviously if you don't want soapstone you could get something like either grey or charcoal-colored Ceasarstone which is pretty nice I think. Whatever you do, it shouldn't have too much in the way of speckles, sparkles, swirls, veins, in my opinion. If you get a soapstone, I'd get one that has very little veining. We've made the crazy decision to do stainless w/ marble subway tile backsplash. I would NEVER have gone for this (I want a period kitchen in my 1913 house) had I not seen very inspiring pictures online and in magazines, that show a stainless counter w/ white farm sink in an old house, with marble backsplash, white cabinets, wood floors and an island with either a marble top or something that contrasts with the stainless such as butcher block or soapstone. I prefer to have my island's top be a nice rich wood, just cause it warms up the coolness of the stainless steel, and was often seen near the steel counters in the early 1900's homes (only back then, instead of stainless, the counters were zinc...so really, stainless isn't too far from period). Anyway, I digress, obviously (still trying to talk myself into the decision I've already made!), but wanted to point out that if you're not going to be as nutty as me and do stainless, any greyish color that's pretty simple/uniform would be beautiful. I even think wood would work, if the marble had some tan in it. Here's a nice gray caesarstone: http://www.caesarstoneus.com/catalog/product.cfm?ProductID=111 Here's the marble subway tile that inspired me (when I thought I was getting dark grey countertop): http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0222343629720.html Here's the stainless pic w/ marble backsplash that most inspired me (although I prefer subway marble): http://picasaweb.google.com/quapaw/Our1890HomeAndKitchenRemodelRestoration?feat=embedwebsite#5252790674989404962 This is my favorite soapstone link (from gardenweb). It's got veins but very subtle: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0110311030000.html?11 And here's some beautiful marble minibrick subway tile, w/ black or dark grey countertop: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg101250599127.html HTH, and sorry I don't know how to put in proper links (sorry you need to cut/paste)!