Sorry, it may help to post the tiles....

This is Blanc Linen

And this is Cream Linen.

The Blanc linen goes better with a gray kitchen but I fear it might be too light. The Cream Linen would work because I do have a cream backsplash, and it's more dirt friendly, lol.

I just need some input to help me decide.

Did Blanc Linen in the main bath of my current house. Love, love, love the tile. Hate, hate, hate the grout. I do not like contrast in my grout so the grout is a light grayish white to blend in. After 12 months the grout is different colors in different places in the bathroom based on how much use that area gets. Now bathrooms get a bit more splash and hairspray and stuff like that but it is something to consider.

What's the PEI rating on that tile? If it's not a 4 or 5, then it's not suitable for flooring in a high use environment like a kitchen. It's more for wall tile application or a light traffic location like a master bath where you're usually in bare feet.

I don't see the PEI rating anywhere on their site, but I do see that they only recommend the unpolished for floors. They also warn you to use a grout release agent on the tile before grouting to keep it from being stained by the grout. That, to me says that this isn't a floor that you want to use in a kitchen. If it will grab and hold onto grout, think what will happen with pancake batter or eggs or spilled grape juice.

I think you really have to get a sample of this and test it out like you would stone for a counter before you can decide if it's suitable for you. And, they need to actually tell you the PEI rating, not put it down as N/A. It IS entirely relevant to it's use as a kitchen floor.

It's very pretty, but I would not have a floor that light in my kitchen. That's me, though, Miss How Can I Do Less Housework of 2012. I think it will need to be washed a lot. Could you use a medium gray or medium taupe? And darkish grout.

Hags00: So the grout is an issue, not the tile, right?

hollysprings: I couldn't find where they state unpolished only for floors. Can you cut/paste from their website?

Thanks for the input.

It's in the PDF download where it';s *** to read the fine print about flooring applications.

Also, in their general literature on "Things to Consider" there are these words.

"Polished surfaces" create a very smooth surface. Dal-Tile does not recommend polished surfaces in any areas subject to water, oil, or grease exposure." i.e. a real kitchen.

You also notice that on their vignette photo shoot, it does state that, "Photo features Noir Linen (Unpolished) 24 x 24 field tile on the floor and Cr�me Linen 12 x 24 on the wall"

Hey beardmr - glad others can help because my home isn't built yet. :)

I agree the Blanc Linen would be prettier with the Torquay. But it is light. As for applicability to flooring - it does say it is appropriate for flooring (interior residential, light commercial, and commercial, even residential exterior), and they have several of the sizes in unpolished (2x2, 12x12, 12x24, and 24x24). So I would think you would be fine using it in a kitchen from a tile suitability standpoint.

Although my house isn't built yet, it will be going in my master bathroom shower and I will be using the 2x2 as a tile floor in the shower. I'm a bit concerned with the above comments - I guess I'll just have to hope they use bullet-proof grout. And I will seal it before I ever set foot in it.

Gone South had a beautiful tile she is using for her kitchen BS that would look fabulous I think but is a bit darker. Actually, the Gris Linen is very pretty too and would pull your cab colors in and be very hard to see dirt/ easier to keep clean. It's a lot darker, however.

Sorry I'm not much help. It is a very pretty tile and I hope it holds up well in the master bath. I think it would work in a kitchen... although maybe not mine with lots of muddy dog paw prints at times! :)

Yes, no problem at all with the tile, I have it both on the floor and shower wall. The I just can't seem to keep the light grout clean enough to suit me.

I am doing the main bath in the house I just purchased. I will be laying the tile this weekend and chose Daltile Plaza Nova Gray Fog (just a solid matte medium gray) and will use matching grout. Not repeating the same mistake twice!