I should also mention that those are new UV oiled Hickory floors, and another option is just doing the Woca Oil on the island also, keeping it natural, since the Alder looks so similar to the Hickory. This seems calming and easy to us....but maybe a little too neutral or boring? I can bring in plenty of color with other elements though.

to my eye: you have enough going on with 2 different counters and busy b/s... i would pick the darkest color in your flooring and match that the best you can to your island. continuity would be a plus here.

totally agree with you, you can add color with all your other elements. best part, if blue falls out of favor with you down the road, no worries about the island.

I would match the floors.. If you want to stain, then pick a color from the flooring and find a stain that matches. Please try to do all your trials and errors on an extra piece of the same wood.

Yes we would try to match a color in the floor, it actually already matches the deep red/brown tones, so we will do a sample with just a natural finish, maybe with a touch of white in it like the floor has.

I love the wood and would keep it natural-ish and in harmony with the floor tones. The gray of your island countertop and backsplash look a little different (could just be the photo) but adding a blue-gray might fight with one of the other grays. I would not introduce a new variable.

That’s a really good point thanks!

I think painting it is a great idea, I have read news in all sorts of places that it is the new trend in modern kitchens, hotels also have this kind of trend in small kitchens in guest rooms

I would’t paint it. i agree with circonium’s advice.

Another ditto to circonium's post.

tnk kiryatech