Well, the current tile is very warm. With a marble-like (cool) counter, you'll want a cooler tile throughout. Seems like that will be ok with your furnishings, but wall colors may need to change.

I would look for a dark charcoal, slate look tile, so there is less contrast between the tile and the dark hardwoods. It would also look good with your kitchen choices and give you a classic look.

IMO in your space it makes no sense to not carry the wood throughout and BTW wood floors have been used in kitchens forever and stand up just fine . If you must I agree to go with a tile that works better with the wood floor but I really don’t like that chopped up look in such an elegant home.

A lot of the tile I’m seeing replicates wood. If I did a complimentary color would that be weird to do? Something like this?

I don’t like the look of slate the warm colors in the family room I’m not worried about that will probably be the next room to update lol. Also afraid to continue the hardwood throughout that first floor may be too dark and with the heav traffic have to refinish again in 2 years

Do not do a wood tile next to real wood. Also I think dark slate would be way too dark. I would either continue your wood floor or go with a griege tile.

Any suggestions on what kind of grieve tile? I’d like large scale less grout to clean

The best option is to continue the hardwoods through the entire space, and sand your current floors so you can stain them all in a lighter color. You can also get rid of those raised transition pieces that don't align with your cabinets. Absolutely do not put wood look tile next to your wood.

I just did those floors and will not be restaining them. Lol

I really want tile as kids will be coming in and out from pool and outdoors. It’s most practical for my lifestyle

You've got a difficult decision about the tile. Your dark wood and warm tones through the house don't coordinate with all the gray furnishings, paint, and carpet/rugs. I would try to match the flooring with the rest of the flooring and house in terms of style, so you could look for dark or medium brown tiles if you don't want a slate look. Anything light is going to highlight how chopped up the flooring looks, and anything light gray will just look wrong with the expresso wood floors. You could try something like this, but with dark brown grout. That way the floors will coordinate with each other regardless of what colors you use to decorate.

Ok maybe I can explain a little better. I’m in the midst of redecorating the whole house to the color tones room by room maybe I should’ve explained that previously . Living / dining room are finished, I have expresso wood floors with golds and greys. The hallway has just been redone with a silver grass cloth paper with the grey runner on staircase. The family room in the back will be redone after the kitchen. I’m leaning towards the cooler tones .

Hope this helps

Idk if this help

Although you've decorated with light gray/gold it is a very traditional house with expresso floors. You still need to find a fairly traditional tile in a color that isn't jarring next to the dark wood floors. If you don't want a slate look, you could try a marble look porcelain tile which would fit with the house and your gray finishes, but you'll still have the light to dark transitions.

What about something like this? This is an lvt but would look nice (imo) next to dark hardwoods.

Yes I do like that. Do you know any information on it? I found this yesterday but wasn’t sure if it’s too light. Those are some cabinet sample colors I’m thinking white perimeter with the lighter grey island. I’d love to do a counter similar to this which is Calcutta gold and I can’t have the floor fighting it.

Espresso goes with just about everything. Keep bringing home samples until you find one you love in your house. I agree that tile is much more practical with kids, pools, etc and will look lovely in your kitchen.

What do you think of the one I brought home? It’s about 800 square feet of tile I will have it has to be the right one I’m so afraid to make a mistake

It’s Mannington Adura Meridian. Color fossil. It’s the one I just picked. Ordered it yesterday. I have almost the exact situation as you. I brought home samples for a month. I like that it’s darker so it blends more with my hardwoods. I know running hardwoods is the ideal. But number one.. I can’t afford it. And number two.. as much as I love them.. they show everything. Every paw print, dog hair, footprint. EVERYTHING. I just can’t add to it. I tested everything on this sample... my dog probably thought I was nuts pressing his paw into this sample :) and it hides a ton! Hopefully getting installed the week after next. Lots of prep first..

Looks a little different in my lighting. And these are small samples that Mannington sends out free so you can’t see the 12x24 plank and the variations in the box. I had to return the good samples!

Is it as dark as it looks in the picture?

If you are looking at gray and trying to maintain the formality of the home, why not go white? White is the brightest version of 'gray' we have (monochromatic theme). It would play well off of the dark wood - especially next to the stairs = dark wood + white treads.

I would keep the type of pattern you have now and use dark gray as the center inserts instead of the black.

And if you can handle it (assuming you are not 'in love' with the counter top) I would put a gray counter top in (invert the patter you are seeing) to anchor the kitchen.

I love a bright white floor.

Yes.. that’s a pretty good photo of the color. I like that it blends with the wood. The contrast between my tile and wood isn’t my favorite look.. in my house.

Update: installation under way and I will tell you it’s lighter than I thought from just the samples. But I love it.

So you are going over top of your tile. The grout lines have been filled. Can you tell us how 'gritty' the filler is? Was it sanded perfectly smooth?

Yes.. over the tile. There was no way I could deal with pulling up the tile. It’s 500 sq. Ft. He filled the grout lines and then used a sander. It looks great. No issues with doors or appliances fitting. It’s really a perfect solution to upgrade old tile. Hopefully finishing today!

Why couldn't you deal with pulling up the old tile? Just curious...

looks great!

So I think I found my tile!!! Colors are perfect what you all think? Last one is a pic of what it looks like down on floor.