I wouldn’t do either. I like the larger format & the color is a neutral backdrop. How about adding some colorful art & perhaps, adding a runner to create the interest you seem to want.

Please do not make them look tacky with paint . I think floors are best when not the focal point but a nice backdrop to the rest of the space .Add some interesting lighting and much larger art pieces maybe even a nice runner all much better than a gaudy floor tile . IMO you should have just done the same wood as the floor in the next room but now do really cool morroccan runner since the lighting has that look. I would change the bulbs to 3500K LEDs

Agree with others,  this looks really nice and neutral.  I wouldn't change it. Find other ways to add visual interest.

A runner would definitely perk up the hallway, and you could always paint the walls too. Is there a color you use in one of the rooms opening off the entry that you could bring into this space? I see you like art. Think about which color or another neutral would look good with your art.

A runner would go a long way - go custom if you need to

I think the tile looks nice but I understand your regret about not putting something fun or interesting there. On the bright side, styles, and tastes do change so you're not tied down to one look. A runner or rug is a great way to jazz up a space and can easily be replaced.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting I get what you are saying. But wood in the entry and the hallway does not look right in Egypt. All our old buildings are tiled in the entryway and hallway and only the bedrooms have wood.

Is your home an old home that you are updating or were you trying to create the look of an old home in a new build?

If this is an update, what was on the floor before the new tile?

Once you get over your disappointment and add well chosen accessories, you may have a change of heart as it can be a lovely, serene backdrop. Suggest living with for a bit, before considering ripping out.

@deegw It is an old home, from 1930s. Unfortunately, the owner before me ripped out all the original flooring. I should have put in 20cm x 20cm cement tiles in the entry and hall as this is the look of all the apartments in my building. I did re-add wood flooring in all the rooms where originally it was in. The owner before me took all original floors out, so I gutted all and started over. I made the mistake of not going with the right character of my building's original details.

@Maureen been living with it with for a few years. I hate it.

Is there a reason why you haven't put any rugs in the spaces?

I rarely say this but if you can afford it, remove them and do what you want.

Before you do that, if you want, you can try paint or adhesives. But be prepared to end up ripping it out.

https://www.royaldesignstudio.com/collections/floor-stencils

CA, research the exact tile you want. Get samples and bring home if you can. Then, just go ahead and replace with want you really want. I have been talked into something I never wanted and I you will never like it, I don't.

ETA: Don't waste time painting. It still won't be what you want. Been there, done that.

“Maybe I should just remove them...”

If budget allows, then yes, I think you should.

Based on additional info in posts, especially that it’s been there for a few years, I’d replace it with what you want. You clearly detest everything about it and nothing — not rugs, art, lighting, painting tiles (not a good idea regardless) — is going to make you like this tile.

Then go tile shopping and find an installer.

I would put some color on those walls and rugs and art. Right now it all looks blah.

@DeWayne I was askign in my post about the possiblity of painting...getting other peopel's eyes on the tiles, getting a little feedback on a DIY solution. I just might go tile shopping and get an installer though lol. not sure about the budget right now.

@Jeanne Cardwell Yeah I feel it's blah too. I think walls need color for sure. Styling could change the way I feel about the floors.

@Jilly sadly yes I hate it that much. Also cause I feel the gray is so bad. I'm still thinking of white chalk paint...I wonder if that will make me hate it less.

@Sherry7bNorthAL Thanks! Yeah I'm gonna have to think about that. I was talked into it. The problem is though, current tiles are porcelain and they are maybe 1cm thick....cement tiles that are handmade and made in my country by lovely artisans, they are 2cm thick! So we would have to break the cement under to make everything in the right height...ugh.

@deegw I didn't think about it caause the cleaner goes through with a mop and in this country they use a lot of water when mopping (like some of them pour). But maybe I can just put rugs down and tell her to vaccum only and lightly mop under rugs...

For a lot less money than it would cost to tear up the floor, you can get some really gorgeous rugs and art. If you add things to the halls that have a tiny bit of gray you can make the gray look intentional and not like a mistake.

No painting tile. Especially with mineral paint chalk paint junk paint horrible paint. That is when you will call the tile pro the next day to rip it all out. So you might as well skip the FAIL and go straight to replacement.

Are you sure rugs and art are a lot less money? The hallway is very long and I don't think anything but a custom rug is possible (but maybe in Egypt? Don't know)

@deegw I've grown to hate gray so much. I learned in my design journey that it became my way of avoiding a choice. I'm not sure my art and rugs have to repeat the floor color anyway. But I will try to style the area more and try rugs as away to change it up.

This is a hallway and entry so go for the drama. I agree with @Jeanne. Saturate the walls in a rich deep color.

That way the tile will be the lightest, palest shade in the space, and not appear dingy by comparison.

Same concept for furnishings and decor. That tile will be a great neutral backdrop.

You can always cut and bind a rug, depending on the pattern. So, don't automatically reject something that is too big. You can do the same with a nice wool wall-to-wall carpet.

I wouldn't ignore the grey outright. If everything else around the floor is warm, it will stick out like a sore thumb. You won't need a lot of gray in the rug or decor, just a small amount.

Thanks all! im feeling better and gonna get back to drawing board. perhaps something really cool can be created from this after all, gonna explore wall colors and rugs

those tiles look american tract home not vintage Egyptian home. I would replace if possible.

Just be prepared -- tile will have to be jackhammered up before you can lay new. It may be a major mess to live with.

So sorry you got talked into something you don't like! Good luck!

It does look clean and cool, which is good if it gets really hot in your area!

I would use some long oriental runners to add color and pattern. You can also add some more interest to the hallways by doing some repeating pendant lights. Maybe some decorative beams?

You can search on Houzz Photos for "modern Spanish" or "modern Moroccan" to look at ideas that might fit with some of the things I see in your photos.

Hilltop Hacienda · More Info

In The Spotlight · More Info

I love the comments that suggest large art and a rug. I thought you might find this photo inspiring. I love cloud paintings, especially in an enclosed space like an entry. This painting is by Ian Fisher.

Tile certainly does not require a jackhammer. A breaker hammer, and some zip walls, plus a ducted vent fan, is all that is required.

The other issue, that the OP mentioned above, is that the tile she likes is twice as thick as her current tile so the installers would also have to grind down the concrete subfloor.

That's what transitions thresholds are for.

I would pay for extra jack-hammering rather than live with transition thresholds!

For me, uneven floor heights between rooms/areas usually means it was a budget remodel, or worse, a flip.

I'm not saying copy these but I found examples with challenging floors. Wall treatments, lighting, and furnishings in various neutrals to let the tiles recede. Neutrals seem best...a hue could dull the tile.

How frustrating! Contractors and builders need to recognize they are not designers. Your contractor probably just wanted to make the job easier. based on comments here, seems like painting would not work. However I wonder if there's a way to do some acidic etching and reglazing to achieve the patina you were looking for. (would need to hire pro)

Found these two photos of tiles that I think might be more to your liking. These are finished products, but I'm wondering if some professional can re-create this same look with your existing tiles by applying the acidic etching and then some sort of metallic glaze. I am no expert on this process, but perhaps others can comment.

@DeWayne in my country they put sand down first, then concrete and then the tiles.

i would love to rip these out but my neighbors don’t want to hear the noise as my renovation a couple years ago was difficult for them. I wish there was a way to remove the tiles with less noise than hammer all over a huge space for a couple days.

You have two choices--either replace the tiles or work with them. Painting them would be the worst of all worlds. You've obviously learned the lesson that contractors are not designers, and you shouldn't take their "advice."

It comes down to budget and inconvenience. Replacing them will cost a lot of money and will be noisy, dirty, and disruptive. If you are planning to live in this apartment for a fairly long time, and want to spend the money, go with replacement. As far as the neighbors go, unless there's some sort of ordinance that regulates noise, their concerns really shouldn't influence your decision.

If you don't want to be bothered with the expense or inconvenience, and don't plan on staying for the long term, disguise them by using rugs and artwork to distract the eye from them. Gray is a fine neutral backdrop for lots of colors and will almost disappear when you take the advice of everyone here--lots of really good looks were posted.

In the end, it's your decision.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC awesome thanks. a lot of lessons learned here! I might plan for a Reno down the road as there are a couple other things I also wished I did different in the apt. We will see. But maybe best to go with it right now.

would be great to see what you ultimately decide. Please follow up on this post with the final look. 😀

Okay. if you don't want the noise that a remodel would create, what would make the tile okay. Change the color of the walls is a first. They bring out the tile, not push it into the background. What about the sheen? It is a shiny gloss. Can you sand and recoat to a very dull gloss without too much noise or time?

Post photos of tile and entryways you like. That will help fix what you don't want.

There are very skinny porcelain tile made specially to be laid over existing tile. They are very strong and go over the tile with a special thinset type of adhesive. F&D has a huge and gorgeous selection. Good luck

Carpets will make all the difference. A long runner in the hallway would be best. Try to get it to go to the tiles on the edge. It could be seagrass or another natural fibre to go with what appears to be in the living room, A large carpet in the entrance, sized right, colourful or not. Find the carpets before the wall colours. The carpets may direct your choice of paint.

What is the look you're going for? Wafer thin Kerlite tile can go over existing tile floors. Use this room visualizer to try the dozen of types. https://www.cottodeste.com/roomvo