I would go with the family room as it would be a cozy family room wood

also love the wood tile -- looks great!

High traffic? Tile. Low traffic wood. Either would be nice. If tile, maybe one that is a bit darker like wood color for warmth.

I live in Arizona and love my travertine floors, but have wood at my condo in Ohio. In San Diego you can go either way, but I'd lean toward a real stone floor rather than tile or wood. If you want warmth, you add beautiful rugs in you conversation areas. Travertine is forever and looks amazing when you use the large size tiles or do a Versailles pattern like I have. http://www.carvedstonecreations.com/store/images/products/804_2_large.jpg

My daughter just did the wood-look tile in her entire house. It looks great, but she's had a horrible time getting the tiles cleaned. Grout got into the wood-look grooves, and the installer did not clean them properly on installation, so now it is really rough getting the dried grout out of the grooves.

Love the wood, tile is cold to step on.

I am such a fan of wood tile - especially the lighter colors - wish I had a place for it!

Unless you have multiple large dogs, then go with wood. And even if you have multiple large dogs there are ways to make wood work if you choose the right species and finish.

wood

Travertine is the way to go. Lots of character with the convenience of tiled flooring. It's a win win. Of course, if you are in a cold place, then the obvious choice would be wood.

It depends on where you live..... if you live in the southeast I would do a wood look tile (they are gorgeous) If you live in a more northern climate I would go all wood with a small amount of tile directly in front of the fireplace. The first three are wood look tile; the bottom right is a wood floor with tile in front of the fireplace. :-)

Wood all the way. It's a natural material that is warm and inviting.

Wood tile! Wood is so hard to keep clean- I have had both wood and travertine and my wood floors show every speck of dust and never quite seem clean to me. There are rugs everywhere that cover my floors to keep the dirt down (Arizona dust bowl) Wood tile however would be awesome. Best of both worlds.

Wood.

I think durability depends on the wood you choose. We have cumaru (Brazilian teak) flooring throughout the first floor of our home, including the kitchen. It puts up with kids, pets, and a husband who is also relatively hard on a home. Three years after it was installed, it looks as good as the day it was laid, and everyone who visits our home falls in love with our floor. We live in a cold winter/hot, humid summer area, and the floor is comfortable for both.

Wood.

Agree with posters who said wood everywhere except directly in front of FP for safety issues. Another option is a 1/2 circular rug made specifically for putting in front of FP with wood or carpet. They are flame resistant, will show a burn mark if a spark lands on it but will save you from a fire and from ruining your wood floor or wall to wall carpet. They come in many different styles/patterns and are reasonably priced.

I would use the wood. Love the color.

Wood all the way

Definitly wood, my whole house has been wood for 15 years except bathroom. Wears fantastically well ( I am re-oiling this year) and is cool in summer.

Wood looks more elegant in my opinion.

Faustina Waters, I like your style different and creative. I 've taken a glance at your idea book go head on Mrs. Waters. :)

I like the combination of the wood and the tiles. But these are not the right kind of tiles. They look so cheap. So I would change these tiles into something like "Portugese" tiles.

My kitchen to my dining room is the same exact way. Only difference is that I have cherry wood good choice. Far as over the fire place I would put a picture. In less you want a reflection of the room.

Wood is warm, elegant and more comfortable to walk.

totally depends on how you live, do you have little kids, pets, etc?. Wood is warmer looking, fairly tough depending on product, but prone to scratching and can be slippery. Tile is cold all the time, can be tough depending on what you get, prone to breakage and can be slippery as well. Wood is probably easier to change out when you get tired of it, depending on installation method. But you are right to go with one or the other.

Definitely wood!! It is so much softer on the joints, looks great and very cosy, but also elegant. One kind of flooring all over!! Since wood is very expensive (at least here in Greece), you might want to check out some super-quality laminate, like QUICKSTEP. Looks and feels like wood, much softer than tiles but also much more durable than wood and scratch-resistant!! At 1/3 of the price of wood.

Wood

Hard wood

All wood.

With the finishes you can get for wood, traffic and wear really isn't a big deal. Just get the hardest finish available, especially for pet claws and if you have chairs (as in a dining room) that you pull around. I like both wood and tile, and have both in my home. If you get tile you will want a big rug. By itself it can be very noisy as the hard surface doesn't absorb any sound. So if having area rugs is awkward in the space, go for wood.

Wood is warmer look, so I would go with wood.

I had this situation, but the fireplace didn't look good with either. We used stone, but had an inset of carpet.; the height of both is the same. The room felt much warmer.

Wood... And what's the name and make of the paint color?

All wood- definitely. The tile looks dated, and unless you are living in a climate that really calls for tile flooring, wood is always the better option. Better for re-sale value too.

One surface only - Wood!!

Hi kanejh, all wood, no question about it. :)

Absolutely wood, with a nice area rug. Look at FLOR tiles for a durable area rug. Love the blinds, but maybe add some soft fabric panels to cozy up the space a little more.

Wood!

Just an additional comment. Area rugs on wood can be dangerous, be very careful. Also, wood and tile require more cleaning; dust bunnies accumulate daily.

I vote for wood; much warmer. Have fun!

Re wood-like tile: I put this in my bathrooms--they are remarkable looking. Since I do not have pets and in true Asian style, my family goes barefooted in the house, I've decided on all wood flooring.
Re mirror above the fireplace: I've purchased a 40" square "mirror" that I think will look fantastic! See a picture.
To cmathis: The paint is from Dunn Edwards. I will need to get back to you about the color.

Good evening!

Without knowing what flooring is in the rest of the level the family room shares there isn't enough info to make a good recommendation. Is there tile elsewhere, or is there wood from entry to living to the area where we see the wood, or is there tile? The fewer floor materials in the public areas that are connected the better for continuity.

Wood is a much warmer material, visually and physically. As for cold climates, tile can easily and fairly reasonably (in relation to the overall expense)installed with heated mats under it, so it becomes less of an issue.

What style are decorating in, what furniture will you use. Is noise a factor. Tile will require more sound dampening with rugs, and even drapes in many instances.

As for mirrors over fireplaces they are excellent and will never be passe'. They should be hung properly to reflect what you want them to. A slight tilt at the top when installed can remedy the ceiling reflection if it bothers you. Quite often mirrors are used to reflect light, depth, and mimic windows with no intention of being gazed into for any amount of time.

The mirror you have purchased is such a piece. More art than mirror it will look wonderful!

patrick landrum
pl&d/patrick landrum design
www.patricklandrumdesign.com
www.patricksdesignblog.blogspot.com

WOOD! It's offers a welcome, as tile says 'I'm cold!"

Sandra1942. Area rugs with the proper under pad, (which all rugs should have) are not dangerous. Without the under pad, they will bunch up if they are not heavy area rugs.

Nice room! Even though we are in the tile business, we vote for the wood.

To cmathis: The paint color is Gourmet Honey from Dunn Edwards.

fos5 - that is not always true. Be sure to let new visitors know about the rug. Falls have happened.

So....have you decided yet? Lots of opinions here, but yours is the only one that matters. ;-)

Yes, I've decided on all wood. It will make the room have a cozy, welcoming feel. I valued all the input cuz it made my decision easier.