Beepaw, hello, fella. I have carniolan and cordovan Italian hives within 12 inches of each other. No problems. You will need to "unique" the entrance or you will have some drift. Bees key in on structure at or close to the entrance. I paint hives different colors, also my landings are different shapes, sloped, flat, with round or rectangular openings. From previous disscussions, on this site, shape of the entrance appears superior to color in regards to "unique" entrance. I use both color and shape to unique the entrance.
A word on species of honey bees, carniolan, Italian, Russian, Buckfast....on and on. Bees are mostly natural bred, generating mutts. There is no honey bee registration, such as AKC for dogs. When I say I have Carniolan, I am stating I possess a black honey bee, gentle that produces more black offspring. There is no test, blood, tissue, genetic or otherwise to confirm Carniolan. So, use species with a grain of salt as the saying goes.
What is important:
1. are the bees gentle?
2. Good honey producers, comb builders?
3. To me, very important but not considered by many: are the bees flighty during inspections or do the honey bees remain calm on the comb?
4. Treatment of the bees you are to purchase, you will need to duplicate the treatment.
5. Survivor bee or hygenic traits.
6. Beeks, please fill I know I am missing one?
Bee suppliers will gladly answer the above questions, you decide which traits you want. You cannot have it all. I have a feeling you will be sussessful , judging by your well written above text.
Blessings