ci lantro - The original viny is a Mannington product, DuPont Stainmaster Xtra Life. It's top of the line. The patter is # S3042. I got it at Flooring America. Thanks everyone. I was feeling very similar with the small pattern. When I showed it to my family over the weekend, they all liked the smaller pattern, but I'm was hesitant. I'll be going back to the store to see if I can find a larger, realistic tile look and will post pics of my findings. I just wish I could find one a tad darker than the original with the same coloring in it, but keeping to the same brand, because it's a good one. I'll be updating this post.

I've been out for a week, so I'm catching up. GreenDesigns, thanks for posting the Euro pics. Laminate is fun, and I think we in the U.S. have lost our appreciation for that. I've loved seeing the different laminates people found to work with--those roses! And the Molten Glass Blue!! Sochi, you credited me with the kitchen with the Beluga pulls--that was Roarah (gorgeous kitchen). Pal, I like the B/W kitchen. Which of the Marmoeum graphic series is that? It looks like a slate gray background rather than black, and I think I'd like to see a sharp B/W (Sgraffito rather than Signo or Dry Point). GreenDesigns, you said, "Butter yellow and taupe is almost too sophisticated for a cabin in the Sierras." I totally agree. My "story" was a client (not that I'm actually a pro) who SAID they wanted rustic, but rejected things that were actually rustic and kept drifting toward a sleeker modern look. "You know, rustic, but modern." The resulting kitchen would be considered "rustic" by no one but the fictional clients. Mtnfever, I like the last set of tile you posted. Very pretty. I like the Seagrass strand, but I think the tangled seaweed would tie in well with the existing Oak cabinets. I didn't think the dogbone white/stainless would work with the oak. Good luck with your choices!

These tips and ideas are great! The kitchen does need a lot of work. The fluorescent lighting is atrocious, and the entire house had awful white carpet that I tore out to reveal nice oak. We’re replacing the appliances and pulling out the shelving above the counter. I kind of love the avocado Formica counters but they’re damaged in a couple spots so will need to be replaced soon. Flooring is tough because the fireplace is in the dining room! I’d love terrazzo or stone, but those aren’t in the budget (and might look a little over-the-top for the modest house). While I love the look of cork, I don’t think it’s tough enough to withstand kids and pets and liquids in a high-traffic kitchen/dining area. I’m leaning toward a retro vinyl print I found that is about as close to the terrazzo-print Lino we have now. These are the options I'm considering: first two are bold colors in vinyl tile, third is a safer faux terrazzo kind of look in sheet vinyl. Thoughts?

I was wondering if that was the case...so I may have been chasing a pipe dream...maybe have to go for sheet vinyl.