I'm guessing alder. I had alder cabinets in a home 15 years ago and this has the same look.

Ceiling should be flat finish paint. Kitchen walls should be eggshell or satin which is easier to wipe than flat. If you really feel you will be splattering on your walls, then go to the next level of shine which is semi-gloss, though I don’t like the look of shiny walls, and wouldn’t get semi-gloss walls myself. And realistically, think back - how much do your kitchen walls actually get splattered? That is what a tile backsplash is for - which is installed in the locations that are likely to incur splatters. Oil-based paint is no longer available for sale in my area due to the VOCs outgassing. Are you sure it’s available in yours, and if so, do you want that smell in your home? Copied from a website advising about paint: Disadvantages of oil-based paint: It's more likely to crack, fade and yellow over time. The fumes can be overwhelming. Cleanup solvents like mineral spirits and turpentine are necessary for washing brushes. These hazardous chemicals need to be managed carefully (look in the phone book's government pages for local facilities). Other important considerations: Oil-based paints should never be poured down a drain. Disposal is regulated by local waste management agencies (look in the government pages for more information). Many cities have local hazardous waste collection centers that accept old paint and stain. No matter which formula you reach for, oil or latex, use a laundry or bath sink for minor cleanup. Paint can ruin kitchen disposals.

What options are you considering? I'd say your choices are: -White (to blend with cabinets and tile) -Black (to match counter) -Dark wood (to highlight floor accents) -Light wood (to match main floor color) -Stainless (to provide bling) or go crazy with a color It kind of depends what look you like best! We also have variable floors (not as variable as yours) and white subway tile, and we went with a dark-stained butcher block for the counter and shelves on one side of our kitchen. We love it, but you'd have to see if you were comfortable with the contrast with the black counter. I might lean toward a lighter walnut stain in your case that shows more of the wood grain.

JBWeld also makes a wood epoxy which is the product I am currently using. One tip I found useful is applying the epoxy a bit too full and then waiting until it is starting to harden to get a good surface finish. Don't wait until it is rock hard to clean up the appearance. It will take some practice but it is not a super difficult product to apply.