I'd be interested to get some thoughts on an appropriate color to use for floor tile in the dining and kitchen area of a house we just bought in Daytona.

The area in question has matching tile across the entire walls AND ceilings - look at the attached pictures. Apparently the original owner 30 - 40 years or so ago was a professional tiler and really put in some effort to tile the space involved - he also did something similar in the bathrooms, though with different colors. Our first thought was to tear out the tile because it does look a bit dated, but on further thought we felt that maybe we should work with it, given how expensive it would be to reproduce such a look today. Plus of course the work involved to replace it would be pretty time-consuming, as we'd have to gut the kitchen and dining areas down to the studs and start from scratch. So we figured giving the kitchen and dining area a retro look might do the trick, but the problem is the floor - it's got this god-awful white linoleum across it, and I'm not sure what kind of tile to replace it with. The problem is trying to find something that compliments the cream-colored tiles and maroon edging. Obviously going with something that matches the cream tiles would be overwhelming, while perhaps going with something similar to the maroon might be a little loud - just not sure.

Note that the kitchen cabinets in the pictures are being replaced with white cabinets.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on tile choices?

 

I think you can do a lot with area rugs and maintain the look of the finished tile floor. Yes, while dated, at least it isn't "avocado green" dated . I've torn out enough of that color over the years. If the maroon doesn't do it for you, you can update to just about any color. Thinks about installing a cove base tile in a color that better matches your tastes. Here is a link as to what the profile of a cove base tile looks like. You want to look for ones that not only have the cove base but also a finished bull nose on the top. Then you can simply overlay on top of the maroon tile and change the whole feel of the room. Again, I would then accent with area rugs which will add both color, and some warmth to the room.

Cove Base Trim | American Olean

 

I'm no expert or tile guy....but I know you'll never be able match those colors...so you need to compliment them. I would think something is a greyish/blue maybe? With a softer more natural stone look to offset the kinda subway look of the tile? Maybe one of those LVT designs. Hundreds of patterns and styles. Will soften the rooms some as well.

 

@Czizzi - Ummm, okay, when was the last time you say an area rug in a kitchen?

@Gunguy45 - Funny you should mention the subway look - that was my first impression as well. Still, like I said, you really have to look at the tile-work closely to appreciate the skill that went into all the work, which is partyl why I'm so reluctant to tear it out. Having done a lot of tile work, I know exactly just how difficult it would be to reproduce this look.

Blue is one thought. I've also wondered about some kind of sea green, as it compliments both cream and maroon.

 

You would be surprised at what I have seen....

Was referring more to the area/room with the table, and it is quite common for an small rug to be located at the kitchen sink and/or near the food prep area. Simply offering an affordable, simple update. Apologies if it's not your cup of tea.

 

A side note - is that the age of the install and the type of tile used, leads me to believe that the whole floor (and walls for that matter) are on top of a 1" mud bed. Keep in mind when deciding what course of action to take on the floor as removal and rebuild will be a challenge if you decide to keep the current maroon base. Hate for you to be surprised once you start tearing out.

I'm starting the remodels of 9 bathrooms next week that are similar to your situation. We are preserving the bulk of the walls (white), removing the floor (mosaic) and getting rid of the colored cove base and mudcap (colors vary room to room) to update these bathroom (older hotel). Mosaic floor tile comes out fairly easily with a demo hammer. 4 1/4" tiles will take additional effort as there is so much more area adhered to the mud bed. There is usually extensive damage to the mud bed during demo. Plan accordingly, if I can, I will share some pictures during the process should time permit.

 

Guy, I was just kidding you, as it struck me as kind of funny thinking of putting a rug in the kitchen. I did figure that you probably meant the rug as being more suited to the dining area than the kitchen.

As for the demo with a jackhammer, been there before - not pleasant, I know.