In the past year or two, we have experienced more people putting in Cork floorings in the kitchen while keep other floor coverings in other rooms. You may consider the same. It is comfortable and durable. Here are some pics to share. Here is a link that might be useful: Ipocork Lisbon Onyx in a Kitchen with golden oak flooring on rest of the mainfloor

vfoley74, how did your kitchen turn out? Do you have any photos you could share? We have a similar issue, but are still in the design stage. We can't have the entire island under the vaulted ceiling, but we may have two islands, one under the vault and one under the lower flat ceiling.

Hey, everyone! Thanks for your advice! We'll be changing the cabinets to white shakers. They definitely look like it would be a good match if we go with a lighter cabinet. I'm not sure about the floor material, but it was stained before. I've been running some looks, and I can't quite find a tile that I think looks too great here. We're considering trying to extend the floor, but we'll need to take a piece over to get it matched at a flooring store.

@Beth I'm good! I honestly wasn't looking for specific tiles or ideas but more of how people would go about choosing when there are 2 different materials. All I've heard is to pick subtle and IMO blah- but listening to everyone here and especially @chispa I feel more confident that I don't have to go blah. I don't want to post my selections simply because I don't want the negative nancys complaining they don't like my floor choice or why did I pick that refrigerator and why would you chose that paint color or that countertop is terrible. I've learned one thing through this whole house building process- everyone has an opinion and a perspective. No one way is the right way or the wrong way. Sure there are design ideas and trends and certain design rules. I get that. I've never understood when someone asks for help on, let's say a backsplash, someone else would chime in on how horrible their floor is or why don't they tear down a wall and change the layout. I don't know about everyone else but I'm no Rockefeller! I have a budget and am working as best I can within the budget and personally, I love how it's all coming together. I truly love all my selections. I would love nothing more than to show you what I've chosen but definitely not on this venue. Too many people who enjoy being critical and downright rude. I love positive feedback. I just don't do well with people being rude for the sake of being rude. As for why it needs to be done... it's part of the contract and I'm not going to be able to get my builder to send his tile go over in 2 years when we formally move there. We have someone there monitoring the building process and we fly down every 6 weeks so I'm not worried about the install. Thank you for the input. I have an appointment at a tile boutique at the end of the month when we fly south so I am sure I'll find something!!!