This one is pretty easy. If you want grain, you must stain. Most stain companies don't really have a true black, it's simply just a super dark brown. If you paint, you may see some grain but it will mostly be incedental(thinner areas of the paint). If you paint, you will definately get a true color, but will lose the characteristics of the wood, because the paint is made for a higher 'build'or thickness to cover. Better quality paints and stains will not show brush marks, but if you choose to stain there are other methods of application like stain applicator pads(which I prefer) or others. You should always read the directions on the products however, as it will always provide you with the best application methods( you will usually see that it tells you to wipe off excess stain with a rag or tackcloth, hence removing the worry of brush marks!)Stain color can also be darkened with mulitple applications(coats). Maybe you may want to consider using both paint and stain. Perhaps painting the cabinets themselves and staining the top surface and/or drawers for a different effect. Just an idea...

Thanks, loribee and CLBlakey! It turns out we'll need to modify some cabinets and also the apron on my granite counters (who knows what that's hiding) in order to switch out the appliances. The PO remodeled and actually blocked in the appliances when installing the floor and counters after. Crazy. I'm considering whether I want to spend the extra money to make these changes and just refurbish my existing cabinets or save up for a complete remodel next summer. If we remodel we can get an updated look and also address some issues with the current layout. Obviously, a big cost difference but I'm not sure about spending money now to modify what I have if I'm still going to want a full remodel within a few years. If I do paint my existing cabinets, though, I'm definitely leaning towards the Edgecomb Gray! Donna - I don't think I'll stain the cabinets because my kitchen is already so dark and I truly lust over lighter kitchens but thanks so much for the link!

Lol! We do have varied opinions, don't we! I have a tendency to get too matchy matchy. I like things balanced, also. The oak pieces I'm still thinking of painting are the corner cupboards built by my DH about 10 years ago. No antiques! Hmm, I've not had much luck with finding good 2nd hand cherry furniture in our area. I can hardly believe my eyes, when I see some of the Craigslist finds on here. Nothing like that around here. I'm leaning toward moving my oak pieces in & living with them for awhile & see what I think before restaining. For sure don't want to ruin perfectly good furniture by messing up the finish on them. Thanks for giving your opinion.

You should be able to order a couple of samples. Daltile sometimes sells in the Home Center stores too. Get a sample of white and biscuit and almond - you cannot tell true colors on a computer monitor and this is too important to make a guess. Search the internet for a place that sells the tile and will mail you a sample if you can't get a sample from the site you posted. I would probably not do a beveled tile just because oak kitchens have a lot going on in them (I have one) and the additional texture is not necessary. Also, you mentioned not going too modern, Beveled ins't necessarily modern, but it is more so than plain. I like the beveled in kitchens that have a lot of the same color (white cabinets) because then the added texture is helpful to distinguish one white surface from another. When I needed to decide between white and cream, I painted part of my backsplash white, and another cream - I color matched my cream tile sample. That helped me make a decision. For my tone of wood, the white was too much of a contrast. For other wood tones, the white looks great. After the tile is in, but before it is grouted, you will be able to get an idea of what a contrasting grout would look like - it will give the illusion of contrast. Should you decide you like the contrast, don't do a harsh one, but more like eam44 and barncatz's pictures.(I used "Alabaster" from H-Line tile which is a cream color. - pics in my idea book - I posted them earlier in the thread.)