How about a medallion?

I know everyone is sick of my foyer but when you said slate I thought I'd show you. Mine is porcelain tile set on the diagonal and looks a LOT like slate. I understand why you're asking, I was at a loss when I started looking at tiles also. I finally figured out it really didn't matter whether I chose, porcelain, ceramic, etc. I just looked until I saw what I liked in my price bracket :-)

I don't have a foyer yet, but I was out looking at tile and marble the other day and I came across a porcelain tile that was more goreous than the marble and it was only $3.00 a sq. foot. You might want to look into porcelain if you want the dressy look of marble for lots less. IMO the porcelain tile was so much prettier than the marble.

You could continue the slate right inside the door.

Whatever you do, be sure and get exactly what you like, because cheaper vs. expensive per square foot on the tile itself isn't going to make much difference in a small space -- it's the labor. So just look around until you see something that really strikes you. It'll happen.

I love both the medallion and the slate look, Chiefneil and Mimi!!!

Here's a pic of ours. I can't remember the name, but it's by Laufen. Pics don't do it justice because it has much more movement and color than it appears in the photo. It has blue and brown and a light brown, almost gold colors in it. I really, really like it, but it just doesn't show well in photos. And what Wooderlander said is right: it's the labor that gets you with tile!

Oh, I found the name! It's Laufen's Tacoma in Walnut. Their website pic doesn't do anything for it either, unfortunately! It's just one of those things you have to see in person, I guess!

Here is a link that might be useful: Laufen Tacoma

Our exterior front porch has 12" black slate tiles and then we transition to 18" caramel colored matte porcelain tiles in the foyer and throughout the rest of the house.

Thanks for showing me your pics and offering advice. Labor cost will not be an issue so that is one thing nice I don't have to think about.

Hoosiegirl: thanks for exact name and link of tile

Chiefneil: what type of type do you have around the medallion? I was also considering a medallion but do all the grout lines around the medallion make clean up harder or dirt trapped easier?

Thanks hoosiergirl! Kgyso, that's a standard light travertine around the medallion, which itself is marble. Cleaning is not any different with the medallion, which has grout lines of its own. A standard wet of damp mop gets all the dirt up pretty easily.

I can't find a picture, but my entry tile is a porcelain tile about the color of hoosiergirl's. I really like it because it is very forgiving with dirty shoes and 2 small kids :-)

Robbi

gorgeous entry, cheifneil!! I have never seen a photo of your entry, but I'll never forget your awesome kitchen and bonus room with the dark wood floors. :o) Glad I saw your entry photo.

Hoosiergirl.... I hadn't seen photos of your entry either. How did I miss that? It looks lovely, and your paint colors are so perfectly coordinated. (can you tell I'm trying to choose paints and am completely overwhelmed at this point?! LOL).

Hoosiergirl, I love those tiles! What brand is it, and the name?

I am at this point now looking for tiles for the entry way/foyer. Good post and nice pics. Keep them coming.

Here's mine. I like it because it's very similar in color to the surrounding hardwood.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks so much, Mariposatraicionera and Totallyblessed! Mari, I just answered a post about the tile, so I'll refer you to that below. It's made by Laufen, name Tacoma in Walnut. There's more info at the post below.

Totallyblessed, I'll post again so I can link to our pics for you!

Here is a link that might be useful: Our tile info...

Totallyblessed, here's some pics for you! How's your build going? Are all the decisions driving you insane yet? Hang in there, it *will* eventually be finished and life will resume some semblance of normalcy again!

Here is a link that might be useful: Interior pics...

Bumping up for Mari who didn't see my reply to her questions...

Thank you so much Hoosiergirl. You're too kind :-)

Loved your tiles btw.

Mari

Thank you so much Hoosiergirl. You're too kind :-)

Loved your tiles btw.

Mari