If you didn't like driftwood due to water staining, then you really wouldn't like peat.
The high end stableizing idea sounds good. Changing the substrate option leaves you with crushed coral or dolomite, both white. It would look more like an african cichlid tank. The water in my area is hard and the ph is similar to yours. Over the years I have kept German blue rams, Bolivians, even discus, with no problems. With rams, especially the germans, a clean tank is probably more important than your higher than average ph. Since you want rams but don't particularly like driftwood, consider buying a Texas Holey rock. The limestone will buffer your water and provide hiding places. Companies sell them on line "expensive" or visit your local rock yard or landscaping company "cheap - huge selection". I currently keep numerous varieties of new world cichlids "alleged soft water only fish" in my limestone aquascaped tanks. Keep AA updated, and don't stress too much over this.