Why don't you get a second opinion on the wood in your kitchen. I think your tiler just doesn't want to it. Don't rush. You have to live with the decision so take your time doing your research.

I agree. For some reason your tiler just doesn't want to install a wood floor, but anything can be done.

There might be a good reason not to allow hdwd in a kitchen in a multistory apt building. Generally condominium/apt builders have to do something to deaden sound between floors (carpet and "resilient" vinyl are ok, hdwd is not).

As for the OP's question, I'm not too much help. I did buy a very neutral, bland, boring Daltile beige tile from HD before realizing that I both loved and had to have hdwd (long story). Could you post pix of your cabinets, countertop, and other color choices, or inspiration pix?

I also doing Medallion Sonoma Cherry Pecan cabinets. That is I've ordered the cabinets, but still don't have a contractor!

For the last two weeks, my new full time job has been looking at tile. My tile will be not only for the kitchen but also the adjoining hallway. And the hallway adjoins to the livingroom which will be a medium walnut hardwood.

Here's what I'm looking at for porcelain tile:

Marazzi Vesale Stone (Smoke)

Mannington Opera (Patina Green)

Daltile Altavista (Misty Rain)

i'd not rush this either. the tile guy just wants to do tile. wood floors can have soundproofing installed beneeth them (mine do) so whats the reason he can't do wood?

you're probably asking the wrong folks....we're all tko and would probably send this guy packing before we picked a floor in two days :) i certainly would

I do think you should be thoroughly satisfied that you can't have wood before giving up or giving in (if wood is your first choice)...But just to throw this in: I looked at the Daltile Concrete Connection tiles when I thought we were doing large format tiles on our counters...Love them. I don't really see how it would limit your counter choices with that color still being a neutral...Just a neutral with more character than blah beige. :-) However, I am one to believe in deciding the 'whole package' before being tied to one choice. Make sure there are counter options you'll like before getting to the 'no turning back' place on the floor.

Thanks so much for the replies. Sorry I'm late in responding, but we went on vacation (we'd booked a year ago, not knowing what we'd be involved in). We kept planning on cancelling, then decided to just drop everything and go -- I honestly think it helped our sanity!

As for the floor tile, a friend advised that I should go fairly neutral on the floor, and let the countertops/backsplash have the "pop" factor. We ended up with a nice 12x12" porcelain tile: Casalgrande Granitogres (Bronzetto). Ironically, they're not installed yet, but I have a good feeling they'll work fine.

Now on to other obsessions!