Will you be using a gel stain? I mixed Minwax mahogany and walnut to get the right color, not too red/not too brown. You can do the same thing w/any stain.

I know you asked for stain colors, but... my first thought is that I would paint the base cabinets a dark gray to black color and the uppers white. (Like this BHG kitchen.) Your appliances would blend in and look more built-in, your cabinets wouldn't compete with the pretty wood floor, and I think the whole kitchen would look bigger and brighter.

Here is a link that might be useful: Centsational Girl Blog - Kitchen Trends Here to Stay

Are you planning GF gel stain? Their brown mahogany is a wonderful color, not too red, but warm. Makes oak look great.

Edited to add: GF also has a water-based stain in brown mahogany, but I don't like it nearly as well as the gel stain color. The former is darker and less warm.

This post was edited by linelle on Tue, Feb 4, 14 at 1:23

i was planning on gel stain, ive been reading that GF is one of the best to go with.

Hubby has nixed the painting idea (i originally thought white) he wants to show off that its "real wood" and not just some cheap composite or something.

we;re hoping to list our house this year, so we also want it to be "netral" enough it wont deter buyers while also not looking so 70-80s "oak" thorughout the entire house

i really like this color, but again, have no idea what it is, or if it would clash with my current appliances