Sorry took me a while to post picture of my project--this is the new tile floor I installed using 3 shades of the unglazed 1" hex tiles from Mosaic Tile Supplies for a closet converted into a 1/2 bath. I spent first worked out the pattern on a paper template, then dry fit in the actual space to verify fit & plan the cuts. And a big challenge/frustration with the installation was that each color had a different type of mesh backing, and they absorbed moisture out of the mortar differently, so I would have to peel off and reset a lot. But I am really happy with the finished floor & room! I did seal the tiles before applying the grey grout (as suggested by others). And I used grey mortar, to minimize color difference between the grout and mortar, in case I missed cleaning areas where mortar sometimes squished up between tiles... And the pattern helps prevent the eye from finding misfits!

Oops, so sorry CC! I'd also like to add that having your surfaces seamless, sleek, impermeable to stains, maybe super hard surfaces. I'd go for stainless steel in some areas. In fact, that is what the cooking side of my kitchen will have for countertops. I also think that a super strong stove vent in the kitchen will help keep the particles of atomized cooking steam from making a gooey mess on your surfaces in there. A good mudroom well placed to match the way your family and guests live and enter the house. If someone mud wrestles, I'd put an outdoor shower off the deck, or maybe just inside the family entry. Having folks take off their shoes as they enter is another good habit to REQUIRE. I won't say ENCOURAGE. Flat REQUIRE it. If their clothing is equally soiled, have a place for them to strip in the mudroom, with the laundry right there. If dirt doesn't get any further into the house, you'll manage to contain it. Another thing I'd say is to bring your groceries through that door as well, and unbag them there, maybe have a way to sort them at a folding table in the laundry. If you buy in bulk, placing a freezer in this home service area would be great. I think our buddy Lavender Lass has designed her farmhouse redo to have the real home working area by the back entry. Perhaps have your recycling area included here. Trash control is another item to work into your plan. I personally do not like a garbage disposal, because I compost my organic stuff. But having a garbage disposal at your prep sink (if you are planning one) would keep it out of the main kitchen sink area. I think they are dangerous, and complicate using the main sink. And I do not have nor plan to have a prep OR bar sink. Other than training the folks who live in your house to pick up and put up, I've about exhausted my ideas on this. Oh yes. And NO SMOKING in the house. You'd be surprised what nicotine does to even fabric, much less painted surfaces. That's it. Maybe someone else can come up with other ideas. :)

FYI , we're using Ikea so cabinets hang on rail anchored to wall. Fridge ✅, D/W ✅ but we're not doing slide in stove. We chose built in wall oven and cooktop ie: counter will sit on top cabinet housing oven of so yes/no flooring underneath? After removing thinset, hubby had to get grinder to level a hump in floor. He and I disagreed that it was good enough. Being right is nothing to gloat about after the herculean effort he put in to achieve, time and $ to get right and fall short, but now he's looking at alternative fixes rather than remove the entire kitchen LVP boards and throw leveler down. In one video they drilled a hole in the seam and injected spray foam to fill the gap, in another, they cut out the spongy board and set in new board by shaving the tongue and corner and gluing the tongue edges around etc... I'm not sure what trick he'll attempt but if it doesn't work, it'll set us so far back. Might be difficult to get someone in just to fix, Trades peeps are super busy right now in my area and may ultimately end up doing similar fix. Currently cabinets against wall are level but we still have yet to mess around with peninsula.

Unfortunately dark laminate shiny flooring is quite difficult for it to look clean, even though you clean it. I have Pergo laminate oak look flooring in my kitchen, looks great! Nothing sticks to it, does not ding or scratch. Easy clean up with diluted vinegar and water. Everyone thinks it is real oak. When I had my kitchen renovated a few years ago I kept my Pergo flooring as I love it! Consider a lighter high quality laminate flooring.