I really like the foyer floor and stairway although the white seems harsh. But I'm thrown off by what looks like wallpaper on the stairway and the wall across from it? It looks off, perhaps there are other styles/colors that can be considered. The grey walls in the living room don't seem to blend in the flow either. Hope the kitchen project turns out well!

Thanks! so I’m working on updating some of the items you mentioned as they were original with the house and I wanted to change the look a bit lol I would like to replace the wall paper. I would stick to neutral grey tones. Im really attracted to some of the modern geometrical patterns but open to others as Im a little all over the place with projects and haven’t invested much time in looking! :) Also will be swapping white wood spindles for black iron straight balusters. We haven’t painted the foyer yet so open to suggestions on colors to fit the grey tones theme. I do also have splashes of navy throughout ( pillows, art,etc.). Thanks again!

We’re considering changing the beige travertine to quartz with a Carrera marble look or possibly black/white checkered.

quartz what?? floor tile? do you mean porcelain tile that looks like quartz?

and you're right, demoing all of that flooring and getting new tile laid will be well over 10K .

(that doesn't include materials)

I would redo these support posts w/something less ornate. please, no faux marble paint jobs!

see how it's done here? i know it's half, but you could do yours all the way. see how it looks w/the squared off spindles?

do you like any of these flooring looks w/the staircase?

I love this one w/the runner that looks like black antelope.

comes in other colors

then I'd do a foyer table w/a vase/stem leaves and rug like this:

or something like this with the wall table and mirror.

here's the black and white checked design w/the black spindles

what about a tile like this one?

I think you are going back in time 20 years with the checkboard floor and faux painted columns. Have you considered using wood in the foyer instead?

I think the travertine looks lovely. Maybe just pick a paint and wallpaper that works better with it. The stark white and cool gray are too harsh. Changing out the spindles and simplifying the columns will go a long way.

Thanks everyone for posting! Regarding the material, we want to create an authentic marble look without the burden of actual marble. Based on what I’m reading porcelain is probably the. Eat best. I like the less ornate look off the squared off columns but was hoping to do more than just paint them to give them a more sophisticated modernized look. I’m inclined to keep a stone in the foyer as o think it makes more of statement than wood throughout. After viewing the pics I’m still attracted to the checkered foyer. I really like the floor in @ taliaferro posted. I do also like the gray/ white checkered in these photos and might be a softer look than the black/white.

@Michael - A natural stone checkerboard floor is timeless.

For gray and white (much softer) - look at Calacatta Luna Honed and Roque Gris Limestone in 18”x18” tiles. I would not worry about using true stone since the entry hall is a pass through room. Also, marble and limestone are very durable and age beautifully.

If you select a black and white pattern then consider either a white or black border at the perimeter of the room like you see below.

Thanks! Great tip! I do like the borders as well :)

Something that I don't understand is the propensity of people to focus on replacing the most permanent, most expensive part of a room instead of modifying their decorating scheme to use what they have. It's like deciding to get breast implants when all you need is a better bra.

Your travertine floor is classic and elegant. But it doesn't go with the cool greys you are choosing. So rather than fill up a landfill with a non-renewable and lovely stone, choose a warmer grey that won't fight with what you have.

jennifer, and if she doesn't like the look of the stone? now what? should she just keep it?

It came from the earth, it can go back without hurting it. Maybe it can be recycled by grinding it up for aggregate in another project. who knows. Tons and tons of scraps leftover from all the countertops and tile projects that are done daily all over the world, are hopefully being resued somewhere. but prob not. jennifers demo would be a drop in the bucket compared to those.

But if she doesn't like it, she doesn't like. doesn't matter which color gray she puts on the wall.

Not a pro but I agree with you that the grey/white checkerboard looks more unique and definitely softer than the classic black-and-white. Porcelain tiles are very durable, easy to install and clean. The entryway will be elegant with your staircase (love the iron spindle idea) and something other than that strange wallpaper on the walls.

Beth, by all means use as much of everything as you like and change durable materials on a whim. The energy it cost to quarry, process and transport the stone, and then uninstall, transport and dispose of it is nothing compared to the desire to be "on trend".

Or... you could try conserving resources, using your imagination and finding a way to get the look you want without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

I do like the checkerboard look in a traditional home, but I prefer it when it in place that is rectangular in shape. I actually like the current tile (and I am not a traditional type of house girl). If it were my house, I would probably replace the wallpaper with batten walls and then maybe just cover the columns with drywall (to match walls) and paint them.

Great feedback and suggestions! @Beth H. :Thanks so much for all the suggestions and examples! Super helpful! :) For the columns do you think they could be boxed with sheetrock and then maybe tiled or something to give them a boost?

I would remove the wallpaper and clean the walls and paint them to match the rest of the walls.