My house has cathedral ceilings (up to 14ft high), and an open floor plan. The only walls are not load bearing, and separate the kitchen from the living room and dining room. Those walls are being removed.

The ceiling beams are a very dark brown wood. There are ceiling planks that are a natural light wood, and the floor is a honey oak.

I am thinking of either maple or hickory cabinets, but I don't want a "country" look, so no rustic hickory for me. The cabinet stain I wanted to be darker than the floor (to provide contrast), but not as dark as the ceiling beams.

The granite counters will be light.

Maple is a very even look to it, and while I like the look of wood graining, I am afraid that the hickory will push this room over the edge with TOO much wood graining visible.

I'd appreciate any thoughts...