I agree with nosoccermom about rethinking the no-wood-in-the-kitchen decision. However, I disagree about them never being really clean. You can keep them as clean as any other floor if you remember that wood hides a lot of dirt so they won't necessarily look as dirty as another type of flooring. I only use a damp cloth to clean mine and it's no more trouble than when I had vile white Pergo. I've had my wood floors for 6 years and the tiny scratches or dings they've incurred just don't show enough to care. On the plus side, since you have an open space (as I do) the same flooring throughout gives a clean, open flow.

We have engineered wood flooring in the house except for the kitchen and utility room. We've had it for a year now and it's held up great! And I have two dogs and three cats. I can't remember the brand though, it's a popular company that made it, and we also chose hickory because it's one of the harder woods. We also got the thickest of the cut..not sure what that is either. lol. For our kitchen we put in Crossville tile which I really like. I did a red and cream checkerboard pattern. We're very happy with both. I think wood looks better in a LR than stone. We almost laid stone in our LR, and I'm glad we didn't!

I have travertine in my master bath, one guest bath, and fireplace surround. I have porcelain in three other baths, a salon, and laundry room. Carpet is in all bedrooms and LR. Wood floors are in an 8'x 25' entry, front and back halls, dining room, and eat in kitchen. I love wood floors. However, knowing what I now know, I would have preferred travertine in all baths and where all wood is now, and wood where all carpet is now. I have walnut travertine and it's installed so beautifully and feels like silk under foot. I have mine filled, so nothing's going to get into any crevices. It gives such character and visual warmth to a home. In the bath room,it has helped me 'relax'. How so? Well, I have always had white tile in bathrooms because it's clean looking and you can really tell if there's any cleaning or maintenance necessary. With travertine, I have to stare at the floor or just vacuum to see any of my husband's leg hair. I use to work myself silly in other homes. This one, I just vacuum and mop twice a week. I don't have to vac every single day because I see his hair. (He's a dark haired man that just 'sheds'. I hate it. He's always been this way.) TRAVERTINE has given me some sanity. I'm just anal about cleanliness. Here is a link that might be useful: Click on thumbnail photos to enlarge

msrose & jlmjawj- The first picture of your Parade of Homes is a Noce Travertine-looks like the color is the "Walnut". It is laid in a "versaille" pattern. We are actually in the middle of our kitchen remodel and that is exactly what we are using as our floor tile. It has been a popular pattern here in California. The overall look is an Old World, Tuscany style. Hope that helps!