I'm building a new home too--my 2nd. In my current home I have tile through much of the first floor--ours is glazed ceramic in a warm color (red clay--w/more orange/pink than usual). Yep, it's cold--but even in my northern climate that doesn't phase me. I personally don't find it colder than the wood, but I don't walk around w/bare feet. I think the warm color makes it look warmer in the home--I think the look depends on the tile color, reflectiveness, etc. I have laminate wood floors in other parts of the house--bedrooms--so I can do the comparison for you. YOu have to go w/your own taste, but I'll tell you about cleaning. NOTHING is easier to clean than the tile floor--it is a miracle--it actually improved my marriage. We had carpet before I walked around angry because it was so dirty from pets coming in and out, boots, etc. I think I love my husband and kids more now that I have tile. ( ; I'm kidding, of course, but I'm not stressed when the dog runs in w/out getting her feet cleaned--it's nothing to clean-up wet mud--like cleaning a kitchen surface--spray w/vinegar and wipe--clean! The laminate wood scratches, but other than that, it's held up remarkably well to bad things like cat vomit sitting all day. Personally, I don't think it looks as expensive as the tile--and for us, it wasn't. You said one thing that really surprises me--that the tile is less expensive. In my experience, laminate wood is less expensive, installed, than tile. I'm thinking of using thread bamboo--see my earlier post re this. I think it might be a happy medium for us--more durable and cleanable than than regular wood or laminate wood--and a different look than tile. I'm sad about not using the tile--however, I'm hoping the bamboo is a good choice as well. Good luck!

Can you not put the din table in front of the fireplace? My dining room has a fireplace in it and it's most grand. My living room also has a fireplace. They are great visually in both places (we have yet to get them working again, but it's on our list). That said, on the other hand, I honestly like the status quo better than the proposed rearrangement. Keep in mind that a bigger kitchen isn't necessarily a better kitchen. If you want more kitchen, I'd think that expanding into the breakfast nook area would be better. Also you could consider opening the wall to the dining room. Designate between the spaces with an island/peninsula with a wine rack or something.

Thanks @celerygirl for the inspiration pictures! It's so helpful to visualize elements in the room! One thing though - I'd put the buffet on the other wall, on the other long side of the table since there wouldn't be enough room behind the end of the table. Thanks @Beverly for the link to the Atlanta house in Buckhead. Lovely!! The light fixtures are nice too and I especially like the first one! @Elizabeth Minish, we recently moved into a new home from a much smaller place so there are a few spaces that I am furnishing and decorating. The house was new construction, but we did not select the paint colors. I probably wouldn't have chosen Moth Wing for the dining room, although I don't dislike it. Other colors on the first floor are Accessible Beige in the great room/living room, Nonchalant White in the kitchen/family room (considering replacing with Sea Salt), Sedate Gray in the office, Comfort Gray in the 1st floor guest room, and Sagey in the powder room and other bathrooms (all Sherwin Williams). (I wish I knew how to make one of those floor plans that shows which color each room is painted!) I tend to like neutrals and darker wood for large furniture items and like blues and greens for accent colors. Despite the rising popularity of brass, I lean towards brushed nickel, silver, chrome, etc. I do like oil rubbed bronze and black for fixtures as well though.

Sounds like a fireplace re-do might be a longer-term fix. In the meantime, I'd paint the mantle a dark brown, a similar colour to your end tables. It's not trim and shouldn't be white. It pops out too much in the white colour. Another idea that doesn't involve any ripping-out is to go right over the existing mantle using a mantle slipcover in wood. Here's one of many how-to's on the internet. If you stained your brick as well, you could have a whole new look. https://www.fwmadebycarli.com/2011/01/making-of-slip-covered-mantel.html