The white tile need to be the whitest thing in the space. The black tile the darkest. Otherwise you are right, both will look dingy. What about shades gray paint for walls and trim? Ceiling, too. On my monitor I can't tell if the tile is warm or cool toned but choose a paint that would be the same tone. The tile looks charcoal and ivory, not black and white, which I suppose it is in a way.

Thank you so much, you bring up some very good points!

That's beautiful, our tiles are definitely "cool white".

There's no way anyone else is going to know which is the right white. You have to be able to look at samples right next to the floor. However, I agree with tracefloyd, you would be better off choosing another color. Black and white goes with almost everything, so how about a color you use elsewhere in your house that you really like?

The funny thing is I had used a Benjamin Moore color card and put it next to the floor but on the wall it looked completely different. I agree, I think I need to stay away from white completely. My only concern is that gray was so popular the past few years and now the trend has changed. I was looking for something more timeless. I may not have a choice though. I appreciate your thoughts!

I know, gray is has been so over done. Gray still used but in very light tones nowadays...very sophisticated as a soft pastel.

I'm afraid blue might make the white look too yellow.

I'm loving the warm beige with the gold accents in that second photo of the foyer. Let the trim be a lighter shade of the beige istead of white as shown. And your wood complements the gold. Gilt your frames and the newel at the top of the post. A mirror shoud be at a height to check one's appearance in a foyer.

BTW I just noticed your dogs...how sweet!

I just edited this post cause I changed my mind at one point.

Blue...to work with the funky white tone, black and very great with the wood of the staircase and gold accents.

B.M. Blue Hydrangea

Al the various colors still show white trim?

My idea is warm pale beige walls (beige with golden undertone not pink) and the same color but lighter for the trim and ceiling. Bring in metallic gold decor.

I like it but do you think the warm beige would emphasize the gray in the tile?

Whites can be difficult to see in tiny samples. The fact that BM Snow White felt almost green to you would lead me to recommend testing SW Extra White and BM Decorator White.

Both lean cool and have a bit lower LRV.

If I did a taupe or greige wall color I would want either white or nearly white trim.

Yes, the warm color will reflect off the tile and change its appearance to a warmer hue and make the charcoal less black and white more ivory. You are right. So the blue as suggested would work to cool both the black and white and make them pop.

I think a soft blue/gray will work. I go back to Benjamin Moore Healing Aloe 1652. BM calls it 'light blue with notes of gray', or enough to keep it interesting. I found this color here on Houzz threads -- works as a neutral. The chips lower down the strip are beautiful, too.

I like your idea to 'color wash' the space. Paint walls, trim and ceiling all the same color -- with flat wall and ceiling and semi-gloss trim. A flat finish has no sheen on which the eye can focus -- which gives a lot of depth.

Do you have any color in general that you want to carry through these areas? I would look for a non-white color that is either a subtle shade of that (like a pale gray-ish blue) or find another neutral (like a light taupe) that gives just enough contrast with the tiles to help them look crisp. Or you could go bold and do a beautiful more saturated color like the 3rd picture from the set that @tracefloyd posted above.

I have a few suggestions. SW Icicle. I have used this color in a similar situation and not only do the clients love it but their painter has recommended it to a couple others he is working with. Very nice color. SW Shoji White is a bit warmer and SW Snowbound is clean color that will freshen up any interior. Get samples from samplize.com along with a sample of SW Pure White. That will help you make comparisons.

Notice the LRV (light reflectance value). The higher the number the more the color will reflect light.

Not sure why you require an area rug at the base of the stairs, but the rug and the trees on the stair should have less pattern IMO. Select a natural fiber rug with jute or sisal .

The area opposite the stairs is also the front door entrance. The risers and stringers are now painted. The stair treads have been refinished. See the third photo I posted. i think the natural fiber is to casual. I wondering if it now calls for a runner instead of carpet treads, your thoughts?

Sisal and jute are classic. You can dress them up or down.

A graphic runner could work also.

I agree jute and sisal too casual for your entry. Go look at broadloom with black background. Lots of choices. Then you can make whatever size you want. The carpet stores with do blind binding and voila. Bespoke piece for a beautiful home! Wool is best too.

Just a few examples

Hi Flo, so funny, I had the Nourison Lux Point treads and area rug, I loved them but they finally wore out. I was actually thinking of getting that pattern again. It goes with my drapes and they wore like iron. Since the stairs have been painted, do you think I need a runner? Are stair treads too casual? I really appreciate your suggestions!

Yes do add runner. Safer on stairs. Treads are not good look in entry stairs. IMO.

Thank you Flo, I really appreciate all your advice!

I'd love to see that hall in Flo's Icicle!

Sounds like you've been in the home for a long time. The living and dining in my one of my early homes was diagonal black and white; I loved it. Have you ever had the tile floor professionally cleaned? It is possible that the color you see is due to a build-up of product over the years. If that doesn't work, runners in the hallway can cover a lot of it. I've seen wood floors painted to look like black and white tiles. It may not be too far a reach to have them painted, if the right paint can be found.

A runner is absolutely need for safety on a staircase like yours.

I think going with a soft pale color on the walls, in either the blue or green family, will make a great statement in your house. White is expected but a pale color looks more striking. The black and white checker board tile is classic but needs some oomph from a color.

Yes, I grew up in this house, have lived there since I was 5. My siblings and I were always sliding down the stair railing which made our Mom crazy! I have made an appointment to have the floors professionally cleaned, hopefully that will brighten it up. I did get the Icicle sample and unfortunately it didn't work. Thank you for your feedback!

I can’t help with paint colors here, just butting in to say how fabulous your house is. The tiles, curved wall, arched doorways, wood … swoon!

Looking forward to seeing what you decide.

I like the Healing Aloe or Quiet Moments BM choices. I agree with adding a soft color to your walls-

Just wanted to show the rug on the stairs:

I think the edging keeps it from it being too casual.

Any luck on the paint decision?

A vote for BM Quiet Moments. I had it in two houses - first in the kitchen of my 1925 colonial and then on the bottom wainscoting of the renovated guest bathroom in my next house. It is the perfect green-grey for anywhere.

Looking forward to the "post cleaning" pix. Hopefully, that will solve the issue with the tiles.