Click on the link, below, & scroll down to the reply by jeannie_kitchen. Her ki tchen has always been an inspiration to me. There use to be more pictures available, but I guess they have rolled off to never-neverland.

Here is a link that might be useful: jeannie_kitchen's cream cabs w/ satillo tile

You need to see RenoFan's kitchen --
She's a former regular and long-time poster who's 'gone missing' lately. But her kitchen is a classic --

Here is a link that might be useful: RenoFan's kitchen

You can always put the same color on the floor as the countertop. I noticed a favorite designer uses that trick.

Gray, black, and white are neutrals.

Here is a link that might be useful: saltillo tile

I have Saltillo floors and will have light gray painted cabinets. After much searching I have chosen Tan Brown granite because it has a combination of gray, cream, and the clay Saltillo color on a black background without being too sleek like a black counter would look. The backsplash will be slate.

Best to avoid anything that looks too rustic. I would not do a matching tile on the counter, that would be way too much red for me. Grays seem to work with the tile really well.

Very helpful. Thank you for posting!