4 looks like your best bet to me given what you are looking for. I think 3 looks too rustic for what you are doing.

I actually think 1 is my favorite but I like 1, 2 & 4

For me, Option #1 would be my choice. Lighter and cleaner than the rest. I like the rectangular shape, it has more interest when it's laid. No hardwood anywhere?

I like #2.

Option 1 or 4 - rectangle

Option 1 or 4 - rectangle

Thanks! No clear leader yet, that's for sure. :)

And no hardwood. I love hardwood, but love dogs more. =) And I mean medium to large dogs with medium to large dog nails. The thought of scratched hardwood just doesn't appeal to me and I don't want to have to worry about it. (Not to mention the occasional accident and/or upset tummy.)

Keep your thoughts and votes coming. I have another day or two to contemplate things. Will also try to get pics the samples with my other options but haven't been able to do that yet.

I like option #4. It has the nicest color variation and it's not too dark or too light.

I like #4 for the slight variation in color and pattern. Our kitchen tile has even more variation than that--we selected it because our countertop is one of the almost solid patterned quartzes. It's nice to have some pattern to add interest when there's large blocks of solid in your other finishes.

As far as size...not sure. I like both but went with the 18 x 18 in a running bond so I'd have more flexibility with my backsplash. I'm kind of thinking the 13 x 20 is more appropriate for your house style, but I'm no expert. The floor tile was the hardest part of our remodel. I was just relieved we liked the results.

If #3 is textured, it would be my last choice. I don't think it'd be very fun to clean a whole house of that if dirt gets trapped in the grooves. My tile is smooth with a slight sheen and a breeze to mop.

I like 4, agree with chitown on reasons.

#4. Great color, good variation. Will probably hide things well so you don't have to clean them every day.

I like #1 the best, and I am a big fan of large square tiles. I think it will all look beautiful - love Alaska White granite, and the glass bathroom backsplash tiles are to die for.

#2 for me....clean, more solid look. #4 looks to me like bringing a bit of a pattern in.

Here are some new photos. I have replaced the old #3 with a different tile. The rest I've kept the number the same but rather than just show the online pics these are pics of a tile with the rest of my options.

The one shower tile doesn't look great right on the marble, but it will be several feet away and will be ok I think (fingers crossed) because the accent glass looks great with it and actually has some pieces of carrara marble in it. Unfortunately I don't have a sample here that I can include it in the photos.

Option 1 (same tile as option #1 above):

Option 2 (same tile as option #2 above - it is the same tile as optio #1 but a slightly darker color which isn't coming through well in the photos):

Option 3 (replacement for option #3 above):

Option 4 (same tile as option #4 above):

Number 4 is the winner so far it seems... not sure if these photos will shift things or not.

Thanks again for your help and thoughts! I'm leaning heavily towards #4 myself because of the "softness" of the pattern and variation. It looks like leather to me.

Slate flooring is actually very time honored for contemporary architecture. To me the issue would be how much interest I'd want to gain by additional texture, or would I prefer to bring texture in other ways. Those old shag rugs were in style for a reason in their mod era, and it wasn't to justify the rakes. :)

I really like your choices in generaly, BTW. Very nice.

#4 followed by #1. I think large squares or rectangles can look contemporary.

Do you live in a place that have long cold winters? #1 and #3 have more warmth, so that's something to consider. Personally, I like #1 the best.

I won't be in long cold winter country. Quite the opposite. The house is being built near Tucson, Arizona.

I won't be in long cold winter country. Quite the opposite. The house is being built near Tucson, Arizona.

I vote for #4. Your colors are very nice!

you might wanna switch to tans if building in AZ - to match the dirt here!

I like either 1 or 4, leaning toward 1 only for the lightness and it seems to have more variation, hard to tell for sure? As a fellow dog lover, my choice would also be influenced by the color of any fur that may be shed and how likely it is to show up against a contrasting floor color. None of your choices seem dark enough for that to be an issue, plus I'm less than a stellar housekeeper so it may not be an issue.

Desertsteph - I just want a color that will repel poisonous toads, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and tarantulas! I guess you would vote #3 - sort of a tan/gray color. Probably not a bad idea. =)

Labbie - I would have to get solid black floors to match the dog hair! Not a bad idea either. :) (And I'll give you one guess of what color most of my clothes are. There's a method to all of this!) I think #4 has more variation - hard to tell. I guess a different type of variation than #1. I have so many gray tiles lying around my house right now I can't keep track! I have a few others that are close too.

And why do I get double posts when I post from my Razr? Grr.

I'm voting for #4.
Here's a shot of our kitchen floor.

I liked #1 before I even saw your design board and now I really like it with everything.

4 coats of sealer willtv? Oh my goodness. Is that typical? Necessary? I knew it should be sealed, but not that it took so many coats.

Thanks all for the nice comments! =) I'm excited even though I know my house will be a bit boring as far as some of my choices go, but I've loved gray for years. Did a house using grays 10+ years ago (with a white kitchen) so for me it isn't trendy, it is just a neutral color that I love. And I'm hoping for maybe a plum-ish accent chair in the living room, and maybe red bar stools. Then if I get sick of those colors I can toss them and do something else but I will still have the neutral palate to work with. =)

Beeps, Only 2 coats are necessary, but I'm of the thinking that if a little is good more is better;)
BTW I'm with you on the use of neutral shades.
With the exception of the kitchen, our entire house is BM China White.
Walls, ceiling, everything.
Like you, we add color with the use of furniture, rugs, etc.
As you said, if we want to change things, it's out with the old and in with the new.

beeps,

I like all your choices and #4 is my favorite. Would you mind sharing the names of your 4 original floor tiles?

Thanks,

Beeps - a little late but number 1 speaks to me!

bump

Oops. Sorry I missed the last posts. Thanks bumping so I would see your question mjocean.

Thanks for the vote a2! It came down to 1 and 4 but I went with 4 because my designer had seen it installed and said it was gorgeous. And I saw it installed in a few other colors and it looked nice. And, it looks AMAZING with the Carrara. Odd that harsh concrete tile looks great with classy Carrara marble but it does. The color is perfect - at least my two samples are great together. Let's hope the real things are too! :) (And I switched out my master shower tile from the Fabrique Linen to the Carrara so master bath will be heavily Carrara - shower floor and walls, vanity top, and pieces of it mixed with glass for accent tile.)

mjocean - they are all Daltile products.
#1 is Veranda in Steel
#2 is Veranda in Rain (if I remember correctly - it was a new color).
#3 is Conteniental Slate in English Gray
#4 is Concrete Connection in Steel Structure.

There are so many concrete-like gray tiles it is hard to pick - but they do have different under tones. I'm concerned the one I picked, #4, may have some green, but others don't see it so I hope not once it is all down. What I love is that although gray and concrete-looking, at the same time it looks soft like leather. Odd combo. Hope this helps. Oh, and I will say I also liked Bedrosians Metro Plus in Manhattan Mist and Stealth Jet. Good luck with your selections!

Here is a link that might be useful: Daltile Concrete Connection

beeps,

Thank you so much. I can't wait to see your finished project.