Why do you object to removing and replacing the tile? I suggest slate. Real slate.

I agree with the above posts. Change the tile. I like the idea of slate. Also, is there any way to reduce the size/height of the transition pieces of wood? They look obtrusive (at least in the photo) and seem like a trip hazard.

The tile sits on top of the original floor and creates a platform. That's why the transition piece looks the way it does and don't think it could be any smaller. To bring tile flush with the wood floor, we would have to cut the wood out. Maybe that's something I'll end up needing to do. I have the same issues in the kitchen and bathrooms as the wood flooring is below the level of the tile in those rooms. It's far from ideal but doesn't stand out quite as much as the tile at the front door. I have the same tile in front of the fireplace but there it looks appropriate (except for the color). Another option would just be to remove the tile completely and repair any damage to the wood and refinish. That would create a need to modify the front door as it is higher than the level of the floor.

Maybe you can remove the tile and refinish the wood underneath. That would look the best.

I agree to remove the tile❣️

https://www.karndean.com/en/floors/look/stone

Remove the tile fix the wood floor under it and finish to match the rest is the correct fix. Then a good mat outside the door and another inside large enough for a few feet to stand

UPDATE... My flooring contractor said he could not successfully match that 6x6 ft space without redoing the whole room and down the hall. I'm not willing to do that. That leaves me either finding a contractor that knows how to do it or coming up with another idea. Does someone know for sure that the space can be refinished before I start calling other contractors? I have had other "experts" give conflicting opinions. Some say yes and some no.

Could you cut a rug to fit the space? Maybe one of those FLOR modular ones? Paint the tile in front of the fireplace.

You just had them refinished? Doesn't he know what he did? Yes, it would have been better to do them all at once, but he should be able to get very close. Then get a large mat.

Latifolia, I'm not sure what you're asking. It's my fault that they left the tile there. I got busy and waved it off. Partim, I could certainly put a rug in the space but for resale purposes I want the floor to be perfect. And that's the first thing you see when you step through the door.

Also, what makes the darn thing stand out so much is the big trim around the tile. The options as I see it are these:. Remove the trim, paint and stencil the tiles, and put the most minimal trim I can around it. Or remove the trim and tiles, sand the floor down, paint the floor and stencil it. Or put rigid core luxury vinyl tile on the sanded hardwood floor. About 95% of all LVT is a wood look. I haven't been able to find an attractive design except in the glue down variety which wouldn't work on hardwood floors.

A good flooring person can either refinish wood underneath, or lay new floor, lacing the planks in to randomize where each plank stops and starts. It sounds like your installer doesnt want to do the work.

I would not consider anything other than the wood. Painting? no.

we have the equivalent of large waterhog floormats at the doors where wet dogs go in and out. That should be a better option for you.

I like the tile in this photo. I contacted the company but they said the floor is not wood, it's LVP. They told me I could not use LVT on my wood floor because the glue would not adhere to it. That's why I mentioned rigid core vinyl tile because no glue is used.

Mrs. S, thanks. I'll start contacting other companies. It's not worth the stress I'm experiencing every time I look at this!

The floor doesn’t have to be an exact match. Remove the tile and trim. Repair and stain the existing flooring as best as you can. As this is the foyer have a decorative artist create a pattern on the floor with different color stain. Do an edge treatment were the new and old wood meets. . Nobody will ever notice the difference and you will have a unique rug pattern at your entrance.

You can have tile or glue down LVT with grout, but to not have the high transition you have to have an installer willing to do things right or do the work yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIBWRRBft8g

Lynartist, this is a great idea. I had never thought of using a darker stain on a border stencil. I was thinking more in terms of paint and I just cringed at the thought of painting that wood floor. The stain would allow the wood grain to come through, too. This gives me an option to fall back on if the match isn't perfect.

Yes, would suggest removing the tile and installing an updated material that would coordinate well with your wood flooring.