It's a brick patterned floor. The install in the showroom looks like they went with a minimal grout line (might be allowed...might not be). It is a handsome looking floor to be sure.

With a floor this dramatic you will want to go with a calm counter top and backsplash. You can pick one of the brick colours to work with and then go shopping for counter tops. I would personally purchase a box of tile, take out ONE of each colour and then go counter top shopping. The solid colour products (no veining) would be ideal for a counter. The man-made quartz counter tops would give you the biggest range of solid colours.

Once you have a few counter top samples in your hands, you can then take your brick samples with you shopping for backsplash tiles. You will find your options get narrower and narrower the more times you try to 'pick' something. Either your favourite brick colour is hard to work with (it gets put to the side) or one of the counter top colours is out of stock, or the stain for the hardwoods isn't working with one thing or another.

Or you can work with something as traditional as a slate or soap stone counter. The backsplash could be something as simple as a glossy white subway tile. Something calm that matches the cabinets. The gloss level helps keep the light levels up (anything reflective like a mirror-surface helps throw light back into the room).

You will find that time, supply and budget all kick in to point you in the direction you should go. So long as everything mixes well together, regardless of its level of 'favouritism' in your eyes, it really won't *matter in the grand design/scheme of things.

The floor is powerful unique and very interesting! Keep in mind it is going to fight to be the star of the show. So a simple counter and backsplash will be needed. You don't want something loud with lots of movement as those floors will fight with it

Here are some images of what I mean....

Bridgeland Remodel · More Info

Transitional Rustic and Elegant Kitchen Remodel · More Info

I am not a fan of this BS and floor combo... I wish the BS were more soothing

Bridgeland Remodel · More Info

Lake House with a Double Deck View · More Info

Lake House with a Double Deck View · More Info

Thank you for this information it’s so helpful. I see that I need to keep the counter top almost or close to a solid. The backsplash has to probably reflect light as far as gloss back into the room but it must be simple not busy. Perhaps I’ll look for larger tiles for the backsplash. I’m not sure.
Both SJ McCarthy and Boxerpal very helpful advise. I’m going to buy a box of the tiles for sure.

They have it correct! If you are going to make the floor the star then everything else needs to be subtle. Sold neutral colors & definitely matching grout for the backsplash. Don't go with a contrasting grout color. My only worry about the floor is cleaning it. Seems like it would be very difficult to keep clean. Also-- why not just bring the wood into the kitchen? It would look great!

I saw this backsplash that was interesting and draw my eye. If I kept the counter tops on the solid side neutral would this backsplash work with the floor and white cabinets?

I like carrying the wood into the kitchen but my husband doesn’t. I’m trying to find something we both can live with. This is a porcelain tile and mat no shine. It looks like old word stone floor/ brick. It’s very easy to keep clean basically just water. It’s very forgiving.

This is a floor tile? Its interesting & I might prefer it over the busyness of the brick. What's the most important element to you? Is it the floor?

No it’s not a floor tile. It would be something that is used as a backsplash or wall feature. What do you think of it as a backsplash with the brick style floor ? Or should it be glossy simple tile instead? The floor is important because my husband and I have to agree on something we both like. And we agree on this floor because it has an old world interesting look to it. He doesn’t want to carry the wood floors into the kitchen I would like to but he doesn’t so we both like this.

This is a close up of the floor. It’s a porcelain tile.

If you are sticking with that brick floor you need a VERY subtle backsplash. Maybe a handmade tile would look good as a backsplash, assuming you go with a solid(ish) counter.

I think you could do both the backsplash and the floor tile (can it be laid in a herringbone pattern vs. running bond?), but then neutral on everything else (i.e. no fancy counter-top movement/pattern and only white cabinets). Are your appliances integrated? That's one more layer of materials/pattern to consider if not.

Yes I can run the tile floor in a herringbone pattern. I will consider that this way not everything is rectangular. Some of the appliances will be integrated like the dishwasher behind a cabinet panel. The refrigerator will be flush with the cabinets but I’m not putting a panel on the fridge because it’s an issue if I need to replace it down the road then it’s a pain.
I see that I must go very natural with the counter top a beautiful plain quartz maybe a white or light color. Perhaps on the island counter top I can choose a color that’s in the tile or I might just do the same as the rest of the counter tops ( possibly a white) I’m not sure about that. The island will not be white. I plan on having beautiful thick crown mounding up top on the all white cabinets to make it architecturally interesting.

A kitchen full country rustic could have the tin backsplash. Yours isn't -- but what about the rest of your house?

Wood floor - he might like little things: cutting boards, shelves. Pendant or over the sink light can have wood trim.

Yes I like the idea of the wood touches around the kitchen I’m sure that will be a good compromise. I see what your saying that that tile I showed in the photo looks like it’s a tin backsplash and might look rustic. The rest of my house classic traditional with some antique pieces of furniture. The photos above with the rustic island Is from the showroom. I wanted to show all of you the floors with traditional white cabinets. My island will be more traditional looking. Does anyone have any other suggestions for the backsplash that’s something other than the classic subway? I like the subway for backsplash
but I’m looking for another option that will work with that floor and a simple counter top. The cabinets will have thick moulding. I don’t mind running the floors in a herring bone pattern.

Personally, I don't like that porcelain floor tile for a kitchen. It looks like driveway pavers to me and actually might be a great tile to use on an outdoor patio.

I would want hardwood floors continued into the kitchen. What is your husbands reason for not wanting hardwood in the kitchen?

Hahaha I can see your comparison of the tile looking like outdoor pavers. I like them but I see your point. went to the tile store yesterday and got a few pieces of that tile and put them on the kitchen floor. When we put them down it looked ok against our existing wood floor but not great. I think my husband saw that too. He and I see it’s going to make the kitchen choppy looking from the rest of the room’s. I think he’s rethinking it through. The reason he’s opposed to the wood floor is because he afraid of things spilling on the floor or maybe scratches. Plus he says the whole house is wood. I told him that’s the reason we should continue it into the kitchen. It will make our house look bigger and and just neater and more options with backsplash and countertops. It’s the way most people are redoing their kitchens today. Plus it’s a timeless look. I told him down the road if they need to be re sanded then that’s what we’ll do. I can also use a runner rug near the sink. I think he might be warming up to the idea that the wood floors are the better option for the new kitchen.

Glad to hear your DH is reconsidering continuing the wood flooring into the kitchen. It’s the best choice. I’m not a pro, but I think it will look more cohesive, and be easier on your joints than tile.

It's quite busy and rustic. It depends on your design style elsewhere.

I would lean to continuing some elements that reflect some continuity in your design style.

Not open concept? don't worry about it. Even so, there are designers still doing it,, ??

You won't regret going with the hardwood, specially if you have site finished wood floors. I have had wood floors in the whole house, including kitchen, in every house I have owned, with kids and dogs.

Yes Chispa I’m so glad that my husband finally saw that it’s the best option and a classic look for our kitchen remodel project. It’s good to hear that you’ve had them all along with pets and kids. I’ll tell my husband. I’m also happy because now I have more options when I’ll have to choose the backsplash and counter tops. We are at the very beginning of the project. We are going to choose the cabinet manufacturer/ designer and the door style we like ( white shaker probably) then we will look for the appliances.
But really the biggest design issue was the floor and thank goodness that’s decided.

Not my business, but I wouldn't replace. Would you like to show rest of kitchen?

This is the kitchen now. It’s 25 years old. We loved it but we decided it’s time to remodel because we want to remain in this house. We love our home. The change will be very different with white cabinets and the wood floors. We would like the kitchen to be bright and new. It will be the only time we will ever do this. It’s a big project but we’re excited about it.

Oh catlover - I thought you'd installed the brick already! You did a nice stencil of leaves... ? Have you considered white door fronts? and pro removal of more traditional parts?

Oh sorry for the misunderstanding about the floor. That floor will be replaced with the hardwood floors that my husband agreed on. I’m so happy about that. Yes I did the stencil work about 15 years ago.No it’s time for a complete remodel. My husband will be using some of the cabinets in the garage. I might be asking for advise about other decisions along the way. We are at the very first stages of this whole project. Meeting with a few kitchen designers.

I'm liking your backsplash choice. Textured yet neutral but makes a statement. It will work well for light and airy with white cabinets and wood flooring. I think I'd like a soft light flooring too.

The existing floors throughout the house are hardwood oak and were refinished 5 years ago in English Chestnut. They are in excellent condition so the floor in the new kitchen will be the same as the rest of the house.

catlover Leo. Thank you for the clarification.

Love wood floors in kitchens. It will be a fun project for you. Can't wait to see all your ideas come together.

I love your arch window in the kitchen I would remove the valance

My phone wasn't cooperating and I would buy all new cabinet doors in the white colour you want Your cabinets are in great shape and I would paint out the rest of the captet where the wood showing