Should I try and match as closely as I can get, or go contrasting, like a weathered gray look wood pattern, or a real dark one?

Screen tenants throughly but reasonably.Depending on your area eliminate some ‘non value adds’ which can cost you time & money - water lines to fridge, ice makers, etc.Create a plan what you want it to look like - uniform color scheme in houses, common light fixtures, pulls on cabinets, etc.Even if it’s your first property tenants don’t need to know that - provide a brochure of business norms - when to call for non emergency issues, what is an emergency, how/when to pay, etc.After a few buy & holds and some procedure, BRRRR is a reasonable next step.Good luck!

Anyone lending you money wants to make sure that you have skin (aka money) in the game and that you have the money and resources to support the rehab process, holding costs and are going to provide their money back. 

(Neutral paint colors, easy to coordinate or other flooring choices, etc).

., If they beat the deadlines they can earn more interest in the deal and if they don't meet deadlines their ownership percentages decrease).You do not want them to suddenly get a big job, and then your investment (and money) becomes their side project.They MUST have some skin in the game.

Sharp colors

I good paint selection and color scheme works wonders.

Paint it all 1 color with 1 accent color in 2-4 places, make sure it’s common SW or Behr colors and let the tenant know in writing what the colors are so they can repaint to your original.

Yellow letters and handwritten and colored envelopes seem to work better. 

My wife and I have good jobs with good incomes, with a bit of our own money to have “skin in the game”.