I LOVE slate. Especially these colors–the blue-gray/green with occasional but subtle red to gold areas. It is beautiful.

I would not, however, use stark white grout; it's too harsh a contrast and I would go nuts trying to keep it clean,

The rough finish shown here works really well in areas that get rough use and exposure to rain and snow. We spent a week at a great cabin right by a major ski resort. This type of slate tile was used extensively at the lower level entry area, which had an enormous "mud" room with plenty of benches, cubbies, ski equipment and outerwear hangers. Oh, and the laundry room. The main living level was upstairs with both slate flooring in the family room, kitchen, bathrooms, dining, & hallways and rugged berber carpeting in the living room and bedrooms. A lovely and well designed cabin for the site.

I do think that I would use honed slate, however, if I were to use it for a countertop or interior flooring.