there is a discussion on the decorating side about builder oak and I really like susanka's kitchen and awn(?). There is also a link to an older thread with some lovely light oak kitchens for ideas. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: oak kitchens

A friend of mine just used Giallo Ornamental. Looks nice with the oak, and she added black hardware which also ties the elements together too.

In her kitchen, I'm pushing for a dark floor so it give some contrast from the golden oak color. She has so much floor space, it looks like too much "yellow/gold" everywhere, especially since her walls are gold too. Her floor goes all the way down a hall and into a laundry room. So, really it would be gold everywhere without some sort of contrast.

There's a long thread on this topic on the Apartment Therapy site. If I remember correvtly the consensus seemed to be to go with black counters (soapstone if possible), light grey walls and brushed nickel. The idea being to downplay the orange tones of the wood. If you want to accentuate the golden tones I agree that Giallo Ornamental or similar granite would be lovely.

Here is a link that might be useful: oak kitchen thread

Here are kitchens with golden wood cabinetry.
A little eye candy to give you some ideas.
~boxerpups

Here's what I'm working with. Thanks everyone so far. I think I like the look of the 2nd pick boxer..posted. I also saw one with uba tuba counter and brick fire and ice backsplash, but not sure how maintence/cleaning friendly that is. What type of flooring w a dark counter?

Here is a link that might be useful:

Yout kitchen is beautiful. A great space to work and
ubatuba or Verde peacock or Verde butterfly are great
options.

What color or type of floor are you thinking about?
Tile or wood? Or maybe cork, bamboo or laminate.
Here are a few more ideas to focus on floors.

Chole's mom did a beautiful fire and ice on her backsplash.
I believe it is fairly easy to care for. A tile expert
would know better.

Limestone floor

Laminate floor by Tarkett

wood floor with ubatuba

Verde Peacock from Stone Studio

Ubatuba from Ally Stone Co.

Here is a link that might be useful: Patti823 has a beautiful backsplash and Ubatuba

Boxerpups and everyone!
I'm finally ready to do my kitchen. link to my kitchen pic is above in one of my other posts.. We are planning on having some cabinet work. Thinking going to pull off the existing ledge for bar and put a solid piece of granite counter height for the bar area. But just today my cabinet guy came by and I'm thinking of adding an additional 12-14 inches worth of cabinet space and shelving to my bar area. Hope this makes sense. To explain a little more, we are going to add additional cabinet space area then extend it a little more for the bar area and leg room. Thinking of putting 2 doors on each side with an open area with shelves in the middle for baskets and such. Have you run across pics like this that you could share w me please. Oh and think I've almost decided on uba tuba granite w tile floor in montana gold textured porcelain tile and backsplash brick fire and ice. thanks.

Oh and just another ? Do you think that it will look to huge in this small space or funny iwth the overhead cabinets just over half of it?

What wall colors would you recommend with the peacock granite? we are redoing our floors and counters. we have a taupe floor and warm brown cabinets. I was thinking copley grey from benjamin moore