I love two-toned schemes (want to do one someday) and would definitely stain the island dark specifically for continuity. Kitchens are so cluttered and busy when we're working anyway, and the look's dramatic enough without turning the contrast scheme upside down in the middle, although you don't say what color your floor is... I think it'd be a real good idea to only finalize our designs after we've drawn in a mess-test: load the counters, island, sink, stove, etc., as in a typical dinner or party in process and see how the design handles the challenge. :) The wall, both light and dark sound nice to me. Either way the contrasting color could be carried up on it in whatever was displayed there. Handsome!

It sounds like you're doing exactly what I'm doing. My main cabs are going to be a medium tone with a dark glaze and the island will be a stain called Raisin that has been rubbed and distressed. The first pic is of my sample doors, backsplash tiles and granite. I found several pics by searching "darker island" on houzz.com, I think it is a beautiful look. :) div>[[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-phvw-vp~131785) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by charlotte design-build Case Handyman and Remodeling [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/campbel-contemporary-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~359966) [contemporary kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by other metros architect Christian Gladu Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/encinitas-remodel-traditional-kitchen-san-diego-phvw-vp~87306) [eclectic kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by san diego showroom Design Moe Kitchen & Bath / Heather Moe designer [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/heatherhill-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-toronto-phvw-vp~81549) [contemporary kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by toronto design-build Schnarr Craftsmen Inc [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/2008-saratoga-showcase-home-traditional-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~52274) [contemporary kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by other metros design-build Witt Construction [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/arts-and-crafts-kitchen-quartersawn-oak-cabinets-craftsman-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~365739) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by minneapolis architect Ron Brenner Architects [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~92364) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by seattle architect knowles ps [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/fall-inspired-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~71518) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mj-whelan-construction-contemporary-kitchen-detroit-phvw-vp~164841) [contemporary kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by detroit general contractor M.J. Whelan Construction [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/belmont-residence-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~45370) [kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_709) by san francisco interior designer Fiorella Design

Even though you have a polished chrome faucet, the cabinet hardware does not have to match it. Your appliances are probably not polished chrome either. Depending on the style of the kitchen, you could go with brushed stainless, satin nickel, or maybe one of the antique or weathered finishes on both types of cabinets. Or find something you like that's similar in style, but different in finish that compliments each color of cabinet. Knowing what style your kitchen is would help for offering suggestions. Not exactly different upper/lower colors, but examples of different hardware: [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by other metros kitchen and bath Cheryl Kees Clendenon: In Detail [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by san diego kitchen and bath Tina Kuhlmann [eclectic kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by san diego showroom Design Moe Kitchen & Bath / Heather Moe designer [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by seattle architect knowles ps

Well every seller and flipper anywhere near me paints cabinets white..:) or so it seems And sometimes makes no sense whatsoever, given architecture, style, other materials..irritating. Don't get me wrong..i would never pass on the house I love because of that..even if they would be completely wrong for the space (in my place they were completely wrong-color wise, style-wise, everything.. yet we still bought the house lol. well, eighty percent of interior finishes was wrong for the house so..) things like that -I don't see them as making or breaking the deal. Location, bones, layout, amount of rooms you need to accommodate your family-yes. Well price of course. As much as I loved several houses-they were too small, or were not in a neighborhood that'd work for us, or were simply too expensive So no, I wouldn't pass on a house because of the cabinets, whatever color they would be..and especially if they were right for the space:) I like grays but not cold grays for example. And I prefer warm whites to bright whites. Yet when it makes allover sense, it's easier to look past it, and make do, for a time being, or maybe for years even. And in some cases-you look past it even if it doesn't make any sense. But it's better if it does. It's rarely a question of one color..even though colors do have huge influence over us. it's a question of how everything comes together. Same as with everything. Take a face you like-many times, a nose could be better, and teeth could be straighter, and whatnot. Yet you don't look at it separately...you do of course, but you don't care because it's more than just the sum of elements. PS I read the funniest description in one listing recently. It went: "This house is classic and timeless, yet trendy and current". It looks like they've read all the blogosphere on the subject of design and decor, and decided to construct that sentence, so as not to miss anything...))))