The house is about 63 years old, and has an arts and crafts feel to it, with some stained glass windows and alot of wood trim.

Interesting to know that about a dark floor. I would like to do a wood floor in the kitchen, but am concerned about food/debris getting in the cracks of the planks and also about liquids falling onto it etc. But perhaps I am wrong about this.

I will look into the luxury vinyl tile and marmoleum. Thanks.

The luxury vinyl tile looks beautiful from what I can see on the internet so far. Thanks again for this suggestion.

Still trying to choose a flooring material for the kitchen renovation. Other than ceramic or other hard cold tiles, any other suggestions? The luxury vinyl is a definite possibility, but just wanted to hear if anyone has had experience with other flooring options? Thanks.

Cork and Marmoleum are other options that come to mind. They are soft and easy on the knees. Lots of color options with Marmoleum. Cork is getting more wood tone look options too.

Is it true that cork requires more maintenance? And that it can get scratched easily? Thanks

I'm curious to follow this discussion as we are also testing cork and Marmoleum. We bought a full box of cork to lay out a bigger area and it is so pretty in a bigger expanse than the little samples I had before. We are finding ourselves going out of our way to go walk on it b/c it feels so nice. Our hesitation is b/c we have dogs and we need to test more in high activity areas to get our expectations straight on how it might wear. The Marmoleum colors are so fun!

I've had cork in my kitchen and breakfast area for about 18 months now. I wasn't keen on walking around barefoot until I got the cork. It is so comfortable underfoot in winter and summer. The cork has held up very well despite my rambunctious 65# dog.

Before I selected my flooring I ordered dozens of samples of cork and prefinished hardwood. All of the prefinished hardwood samples scratched easily. Every single one. The cork was less expensive and none of the samples scratched. I'm very happy with it and have installed cork flooring in the family room and plan to use it in the dining room, too.

Which cork flooring did you choose, zmith?

What kind of maintenance is really required for cork, and how does it react to spills? Thanks.

m_gabriel,

I used APC cork planks in the kitchen/breakfast room. In the family room I used Wicanders Woodcomfort strips. The Wicanders is beautiful and incredibly resilient with a dog, but it unfortunately has been discontinued in the States, otherwise I'd use it everywhere. I'm deciding between USFloors or a different Wicanders product for the dining room.

mayimrose,

Maintenance is non-existent. I use a robotic vacuum 3 times a week and then mopping weekly with distilled white vinegar and water solution. I get good results using an old t-shirt scrap that I attach to a Swiffer sweeper. Spills in my house are limited to drips of water from me or the dog. I simply wipe up with an old t-shirt scrap.

Hope that helps.

Thanks alot for this information. I'm trying to determine whether this kind of floor will hold up well for a kitchen where there is alot of cooking, baking etc. on a daily basis. Sound like it might be fine, but still want to be sure.

You're very welcome! I'm in the kitchen every day, and there's constant traffic flow through the breakfast area, but I haven't seen any wear on the floor.

Molding is as style specific as the dimensional cutting of your doors. Your door is modern and finding complimentary molding unless it comes as part of the design elements matching your door is challenging without overwhelming the minimalist esthetic you want to accomplish. Post some pictures so we can compare them.

You can skip the frig panels if you're going stainless and aren't choosing an integrated frig where it's completely hidden within the cabinetry. A base panel may be necessary for an exposed base cabinet box side at the end of a run. Same for the wall panel and a wall cabinet. But a plain matching veneered panel may be an option. You have to think about what will get the minimalist look you want and ask them to make it that way.