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Flooring Design Dilemma Kitchens

Need help picking tile for kitchen floor!

last year

last modified: last year

Hello! We recently moved into a new home and will be remodeling the kitchen in the Spring. The kitchen, mudroom and powder room all share the same tile and while we would like to keep these areas tiled, we are looking to change them. Here are the pictures of the spaces. I do not have a picture of the powder room (off of the mudroom) but it's pretty basic and has the same tile floor.

The house is a cape cod style house with traditional elements and architecture. The idea for the kitchen is English inspired with modern functionality. I would love to use natural stone floors (i.e. limestone, travertine or slate), but between our budget and the upkeep that's required to maintain natural stone, we've decided to go with a porcelain tile that looks like stone. I'm usually the kind of person who doesn't like things trying to pretend like they're something else, but in this case, I'm totally OK going in the porcelain tile route. We've chosen the tile we like and have narrowed it down to two colors. Important to note is that we will be re-finishing the floors and both stair cases in a medium brown stain that isn't red like what you see above.

Here are pictures of the tiles with sample of our kitchen finishes. The white-ish tile at the top of each picture is Cle zellige tile in weathered white. That's what we will be using for our backsplash and hood. The sample on the left is what our island will be - it will be black stained white oak with beadboard panels. And the sample on the right will be the permiter cabinet color which is Benjamin Moore Creamy White.

The first of the tile is a black/dark grey color that looks like slate. I am drawn to this because I love a moody kitchen. I think this tile would add some drama and make a statement. I worry that this tile can make my kitchen look too dark.

The second tile is a beige color that looks like travertine. I feel like this is a pretty choice, but is it too "safe"?

Please help me make a decision! Thank you

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Comments (6)

Carrie B
last year
Can you post a photo of your proposed new layout?
herbflavor
last year
last modified: last year
if the kitchen functions I think I'd leave the cabs as is. they are expensive goods and look in good shape. I would spend on hardwood flooring. You will save by simply doing that. use paint to rid the gray hall color. it should be fresher there with the wide space and potential for some decor/aesthetics .
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If you are in the fortunate situation that it's one selection for the whole area just get what you like. When the 2 areas end up not matching, that is what makes the space look smaller...the discrepancy/ contrasts. Just get what you like.
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Aw man, thanks for the comments guys! After being in this house with small kids for eight years, the cabinets are showing wear and there is quite a bit of water damage on many of them and some are broken (didn’t show you that photo!). So...that was where my head was at with going ahead and painting the cabinets. They are already priming today so this is a done deal! In my area, painting cabs is still a big thing (we might steer behind the times a little) and a big thing people look for in resale (we could be moving in a couple years). Honestly, it might not be trendy but I still love my granite! It hides stuff so well and never looks dirty. And I never even notice my backsplash and I just don’t care that much about it. It’s hard for me to warrant changing something just for cosmetic reasons (counter and backsplash) versus need (cabs). We got an amazing deal on the painting so I feel good about it. I’m going full steam with Antique White. After looking at it forever and being in complete decision making paralysis, that’s what I’m going with! I’m going with brass/gold knobs to add a little bit of funky and I have lots of Anthropologie-esque and plants to add character. I have a very open floor plan with my living room right there in all it’s colorful glory, so I’m thinking the lighter will look nice. I’ll be happy to post a pic when I’m done. Thanks for listening!!
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G Marlow
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@Carrie B Here you go. We are swapping the location of the stove and the sink, so that the stove will now be along a permiter wall and the sink will be in the island. We decided to do that so we can fit a hood for ventilation - something that the house curently lacks. The fridge will also move; from the left side of the back permiter wall to the right side. The desk along the wall that you see in one of my original photos will not be staying. An undercounter beverage/wine fridge will take it's place along with cabinet to it's right - sorry, I don't have the elevations for that wall. The only cabinets that will be staying are the floor to ceiling cabinets that you see on either side of the doorway to the mudroom.
G Marlow
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@herbflavor Thank you for your comment! I have also considered hardwood floors in the kitchen, but I am loving the idea of tile in here to give the space a European vibe, if that makes sense. We have radiant heat on our first floor so I love the feel of the heat underfoot on the tile...just a personal preference.

The floor to ceiling inset cabinetry flanking the doorway to the mudroom is original and in wonderful shape so we will be keeping those. They will be painted to match the new cabinetry. Unfortunately the island, desk and the cabinetry on the opposite wall are in terrible shape and will be replaced. We are flip flopping the location of the stove and sink and the fridge will also move so we need new cabinetry anyway.

The entire first floor including the mud room hall will be getting new paint (Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee or White Dove) so the rooms will lighten up considerably. We are also adding vertical paneling under the shaker peg rail in the mudroom to add some architectural detail.
decordummy_gw
last year
last modified: last year
I think I like the first one (that looks like slate).

Do you envision something like these colours?

I think your first pic could look nice in both the kitchen and mud room.
G Marlow
Original Author
last year
@decordummy_gw Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I do envision the first one. I noticed I was pinning a lot of pictures on Pinterest with dark/light grey slate-like floors. This picture is a major inspiration.

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