IMO the nicest choice is all the same flooring and for sure in an open concept

I feel like if you have the wood there anyways you should stick with the wood and see how you like it.

I think you will.

Tile is so hard. Hard on your back and feet. Death to anything you ever drop on the floor. And it's only beautiful when you staly relentlessly focused on cleaning the grout lines. Tile would always be my absolute last choice for a kitchen floor.

I am still a fan of tile in kitchens, but I am in the minority any more. They have been putting wood floors in kitchens in new construction for 30 years now at least. I don't spend hours standing in the kitchen so it's never bothered me that it is a hard surface. I like the way you can use any cleaning product on it. I never feel like you can get wood as clean. I have now had wood in my kitchen for 2+ years and I am ambivalent about it. I can see the advantage - in a couple years when we remodel I will have the floors refinished and that will be easier than replacing tile. It does give the first floor a cohesive look. The bottom line is that everyone has to decide for themselves. One size does not fit all. The only thing I will say is that I wouldn't put real limestone down, get a porcelain look alike. Porcelain is not fussy. It will look the same in 20 years as the day it's installed. Of course there is the grout. You do have to deep clean it occasionally.

Wood all the way. Maple is soft though, so dropping things will leave dents in floor, but you will be surprised how few glasses and plates etc break. I prefer dings in wood over chipped tile though. To me it isn’t a big deal, but everyone is different

There are so many products for wood flooring that would be a better choice than tile. Tile is so outdated in a kitchen. it was popular in the 80s-90s, but I rarely see it new builds in the kitchen.

"They have been putting wood floors in kitchens in new construction for 30 years now at least."

Just to be clear, wood floors have been used in kitchens for hundreds of years. I used to live in a home that was built just after WWII. It had the original oak floors, and they looked amazing and were easy care. Having said that, the hardwood of that time is no longer found, so the OP needs to get a very good wood flooring contractor who will find her good quality hardwood for her floors.

I have now had wood in my kitchen for 2+ years and I am ambivalent about it...in a couple years when we remodel I will have the floors refinished

If you have had wood floors in your home for 2 years or so, they should not need to be refinished in 2 years. Any wood floors I have had were only refinished after 20 years or more. The newer wood floors need it done about every 10 years. Something else is going on with your floors if they'll need refinishing after 4 years of use.

I’d always choose wood over tile. No exceptions.

Maple is not soft. It's one of the harder of common woods. Should be fine.

I did wood about 40 yrs ago.

I grew up with wood in the kitchen, and have had it in my home for the last 20 years. 4 kids and a large dog, heavily used kitchen. Love the soft and warm feel of wood!

Visually I think it would look nice with all wood. I really like having tile in my kitchen, but I also think it creates an awkward visual transition when you have an open floor plan. If you're removing the arch, I think it would probably look better with wood. Also, please feel free to share pics of your lovely maple floors. I'm thinking about replacing carpet in my house with maple and would love to see it in the real world.

Wood.

Thank you to everyone who has responded. It appears that wood is preferred by the vast majority. I think we will proceed with wood. I am getting an estimate this week.

clementine119 , You are on the right track. Our clients choose wood flooring for their kitchens 100% of the time. Wood is so much easier on your feet and anything you may accidently drop on the floor. Take a look at medium tone White Oak.

Wide Plank White Oak Wood Floor in Nashville TN Modern Farmhouse · More Info

Live Sawn Wide Plank White Oak in Scottsdale Arizona · More Info

I worded my comment I properly. Maple is dense and won’t dent but maple floors scratch easily. I have only ever had oak, but my friend has maple and it gets lots of scratches and drives her bonkers.

IMO a lot of the scratches are only the finish not the wood so make sure you get the right finish

Thank you @Oak & Broad for taking the time to post photos. @User and @Patricia Colwell Consulting, I met with a refinisher this week and he did echo that the finish is key to minimizing scratches.

Another question - since we have to lay new matching hardwood in the kitchen, do you think I could go with a herringbone pattern? Or do you think I should keep the same straight pattern which he said he could lace in to ensure a continuous flow. Appreciate everyones feedback.

Herringbone and Chevron patterns are fine if you want to put them in a particular space. Think of them as an accent wall... for the floor :-) This project had regular plank flooring throughout and then used herringbone in the reception area. They used our White Oak with a low gloss finish.

Herringbone White Oak Flooring · More Info

Maple is quite hard and long lasting. Any issues are with the finish not the wood.

Please consider using tile in your laundry room, and install a raised threshold to keep any water leaks from your washing machine from damaging your wood floors. Granite makes a great raised threshhold.

Oak & Broad appears to be spam and trying to sell oak which isn't even an option you're considering!

I would keep the same pattern throughout. It seems improper for the kitchen to have a nicer floor than the living spaces. But if you did the kitchen AND greatroom with a new colormatched herringbone, THAT could be really nice.

I agree with @Fori. I'd add that herringbone looks best on a large expanse of floor, rather than just a kitchen space, so I don't think it's worthwhile to do a herringbone pattern in the kitchen. It will look better to have the same pattern throughout as said above.