I have heavy hardwood planks in most of my house, and it took one good plumbing flood to warp the ones that got really wet. I'd never do wood in a kitchen. As to the hardness, it depends on your underlayment. If you have proper suspended wood over open joists it's probably a lot softer on the joints. My wood "floating" floor on the ground floor slab is functionally just as hard as tile, even though it's supposed to be a little softer. So a lot depends on what your house is like. Wood laid on a rigid underfloor isn't going to give as much as wood laid over joists, but more than wood laid over concrete. I've also learned that the perceived hardness of tile--or a slab, for that matter--depends on how used to it you are. One learns to stand differently if one expects the floor not to give, and gets used to it. I find I get just as tired and achy if I work just as over-hard on a raised, cushioned floor as on my own tile on concrete. And I find that cushy mats, shoes, etc., actually make it worse, because they alter the stance. So, hm...LOL! I guess I'm saying it doesn't matter so long as you cook barefoot! That said, get what you like! Tour your friends' kitchens and feel out the different floors. Decide on the looks, cleanability, etc., and get what you like.

Hello Ashley Antonio, I hope you like color because that type of themed space lives for color! Your space is modern and sleek and I think infusing it with color will make it come alive. I have seen a few Moroccan themed spaces done in neutrals and they seem to miss the mark so to speak. Here's one image that I think would work for inspiration. You could use one rich neutral color on any walls that can be seen from other spaces but add in some Moroccan patterned wall paper along the back lower wall to set the tone. This style utilizes rich golds, reds, vibrant greens, blues, watermelons, and creams. The very first thing you'll need to do is create a color palette - go to any home store and pull the paint swatches that you like for the vibrancy and go from there! You would have to get a bunch of large floor pillows and poufs and layer two varying patterned area rugs at angles. Its all about lazy-luxury and total mix-n-match with an abundance of patterns and textures. A group of palm trees, gorgeous flowing curtains, a unique wooden center table and the perfect accessories and you've achieved your goal. Hope this helps! Good luck! Karen

found this,,,but if you're in the UK, there are tons of options! https://www.pinterest.com/offsite/?token=233-38&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.neishacrosland.com%2Fflooring&pin=163185186473325220&client_tracking_params=CwABAAAADDgyMDUzMjA5NTcyNQA~0 or, make you own https://www.blesserhouse.com/diy-moroccan-vinyl-tile-floor/

I don’t go barefoot day in and day out, on hard tile, but choose to wear specific footwear with a good cushion when indoors. Love the cooler floor, and my pets love to stretch out on them too! Very easy to clean a porcelain floor, (even disinfect it with steam if I need too!) especially when animal accidents are discovered after the fact, hours or days later. I could imagine that you routinely had your beach house cleaned especially after each use. A protective coating well applied, I can imagine, might keep a wood floor finish standing up to sand and extremes in humidity. I know that my wood French doors, stained and clear coated (I think I used a urethane years ago) have stood up well for at least as long as your floors, to the elemental weather changes in Florida. They serve as our entry doors to our screened porch.