Things to remember. Darker colors recede while lighter colors come forward. So the original used a dominate color for the strips. Keeping that in mind there are other ways to get a color to move forward in a pattern. One is to use a small print with a light colored background. That way it wouldn't "blend in" to much with your center square color, but would still come forward. Giving the same effect as the cream would have.
Another is to choose a color on the warm side of the color wheel. This would include color choices like an antique gold, or a pale sepia.
I hope this helps.