I like #3 and the porcelain tile.

I like #6.

#6 for me... but I'm partial to porcelain and grayish colors

Thanks for the response! So far I have 1 vote for #4, 3 votes for #3, and 3 votes for #6.

Please keep 'em coming!

Can you refresh our memories? What is the look you are trying to achieve? Is it a vintage look you are after?

I love the grey porcelain, perhaps you could do some kind of modest mosaic or medallion design, or even a border with the tile to give you a vintage look if that is what you desire. The grey almost resembles slate which would look very nice (something I wish I had chosen)!!!

What is the blue sample for?

i like #6 - but why can't you get a hex elsewhere?

I'm liking #6 too, but full disclaimer is it looks like the porcelain I used on my kitchen floor. I looked through the inspiration photos and kitchen plans on your blog, though, and I think the nice calm grey would be great with your other selections.

Traceee--The porcelain does not really read so gray in person; it has a lot of brown, green, and blue in it as well as some gray, and a lot of variation from tile to tile. On the sample board I took a pic of, I would call one tile brownish-green, one bluish tan, one greenish brown, one brownish gray, and one a mix of everything! It does have a slate look, which we like. Your ideas for a pattern are great! I do have some concerns about the room reading dark as we have a lot of trees and don't get a lot of bright sun in the room. The off-white, green, and blue samples are all of my cabinet colors.

We are having soapstone with a lot of veining; a burnt copper backsplash (just over the cooktop); and BM Powell Buff walls. We are going somewhat vintage in that it is an 1873 home and the cabinets will have more of an unfitted furniture look. My plans and color scheme are all on the blog as well if you'd like to check them out.

ebean--I could still get hex; the issue is that I wanted a matte glaze cream/almond color, and it turns out the supplier I am working with can only get true white, which I don't want. I also don't want unglazed, or to spend $20+ sq ft, and I am in a bit of a time crunch now. So even though I probably could still order exactly what I want from the one place I found it on the internet, I think I am kind of over it now. (Plus the labor charges for laying it with the pattern--astronomical!)

As far as cost: both are way cheaper than the hex. The tile will end up more expensive than the cork as it will have a higher labor cost and also grout, etc.

Really appreciate all of your thoughts--what a terrific group here! :-)

Thanks jcoxmd--the name of the tile is Florim USA Tundra, color is Ocean; is that what you used?

I used Arizona Tile's "Prairie Dusk." It is hard to photograph to get the color just right (especially as I'm only using my phone). It has a nice texture to it. Mostly grey, brownish, some reddish tiles (we used the majority of these in the pantry.) I went very simple with the pattern in my small kitchen,obviously. That bit of counter there is soapstone, for comparison.
{{!gwi}}

#6, then 4, then 2....

3. it seems to pull all your colors together and has a wonderful subtle texture. also I can assure you that cork will be much more forgiving on your back.

Well, it was a tough decision between the pearl cork (number 3) and the porcelain tile (number 6), but in the end, we could not pull the trigger on the cork--too shiny and sparkly, too many questions on maintenance and upkeep, fading, doggie nails, spills ignored by children, etc. I love it in theory, just not sure about the practice...

So the porcelain tile wins! As it is somewhat busy with everything else going on in the room, we have decided on a simple running bond pattern with the 12 X 12 tiles.

Thanks everyone for your help!

I think you made a great choice! That was the one I was going to vote for.

Thanks--it goes in on Monday. Fingers crossed! :-)

Can't wait to see it!