DMH DESIGN Both the design and the installation are very important, because the angles will need to be considered as to whether or not your 'field' pattern is on a square grid or an angled grid. Keep it consistent, and in the same orientation throughout the open plan areas. Tile can appear 'busy' otherwise. Also, I would suggest a border of a different color and texture than the 'field'. I feel that 12 X 12 is the minimum size you should consider. I would suggest that the base could be a bullnose variety of whatever tile you choose for the border. Now, realize that the floor is only one component of the bigger picture, which is: how and in what period are you going to furnish the room & light the room, do you own fine art which you plan to display, which window treatments are you going to use, what wall/ceiling colors are you considering, are you going to want any end tables with table lamps in the middle of the space, so are you going to want floor outlets installed? Your home appears to be a very friendly blank canvas, so you need to solve for all these issues, concurrently, in order to tie all materials and installations together, spacially and thematically. Panoramic photos would be helpful, because the area shown here is insufficient to effectively render any specific suggestion, because this view is only partially representative of the extent of the open floor plan. I can offer a more specific solution, with more specific information and photos, if you care to provide them. Best Wishes.

Denice Shuty Does it have to be tile? Have you considered a tropical-looking wood? Bamboo? Stained concrete? Cork?

terricloth The area is very windy, so dust and dirt are a problem. I love wood but don't want to deal with the grit and potential scratching. I want the durability of porcelain tile and have considered the tile that looks like wood. The first comment has me realizing that I will need to consult a professional to really make the house come together the way I envision.

Arlene Warda, Architecture+Interior Design Yes, I agree with trying the exotic hardwood. Did you know they do have 'wood tile'... a ceramic tile that looks like wood. It looks like real hardwood. but it comes at 10.00 $/sf, and you'd have to add installation/labor and subflooring. It gives you a real hardwood look, with the maintenance of tile!....

BY DESIGN Builders Aloha from Maui,
There are so many challenges with your floorplan. Yes, please seek a professional to help you pull it all together. Those angles present many challenges, but they may be overcome.
We completely agree in regard to porcelain tile with its durability and low maintenance. We are installing a wood-looking porcelain in our current project and it has angled walls. Small world/island! (photos below)
Hot tip: use an epoxy or urethane grout with porcelain tile as it is relatively no maintenance. Using a cement-based grout requires sealing initially and every few years.
One thing we do when tiling floors is take that opportunity to remove and replace the cabinetry so that the tile is installed UNDER the cabinetry (unless of course you planned to replace the cabinetry already). This fills the hidden void under cabinets which is where water can potentially hide undetected for long periods of time. Think mold prevention. Also, your dishwasher will be easier to replace down the road.
If you were to consider modifying the kitchen, the refrigerator cabinets are almost useless and could be completely removed, maybe only keeping the deep upper for rarely used items. A finished end panel could be installed to hide the side of the fridge. The cabinets look builder-grade so matching panels maybe we easy to source.
If that 6-panel door is for the pantry, replace it with a glass-panel door. There are many options for this type of door and it will make the pantry entry feel like part of the kitchen and not like the door to the garage.
Hot tip: Check out Costco's window coverings program here in Hawaii. We love our Maui representative! We've worked with them on many projects and they do a great job with pricing, options and installation.
All the best!

Denice Shuty By Design Builders has some good ideas, especially about the fridge area. Also, do taller wall cabinets, even up to the ceiling. Everyone needs more storage, right?

terricloth Thanks everyone! Yes, the kitchen will be a gut job. This house has beautiful bones but was finished with builder grade everything to get it on the market during the housing crash. I have been wondering about tiling under the cabinets, so thanks for that tip. Also, the new door for the pantry is another good idea. I'm going to do custom cabinets so I'll have a wood/glass door installed at the same time with the same cabinet stain.

Denice Shuty Terri, that will be gorgeous. Since your great room ceiling is such an important part of that room, consider a striking treatment there.

DMH DESIGN Interesting ideas. I think one of the reasons tile is so prevalent in your climate is that wood treatments are more succeptable to humidity, in terms of cupping, swelling & pests. I would like to see the near wall of the kitchen, I am confused as to whether or not it is open to the plan shown in the first photo, or walled off? If you are gutting the kitchen, I would consider taking out the walled pantry, as well. If this is a home that you plan to renovate with the intent to live in long term, the revised layout of your kitchen would be vastly improved by the removal of the pantry and a retooling of the kitchen to replace your pantry with cabinetry that offers pull out shelves, or shelves that can be more easily accessed by limiting the depth to 18"-24", without going through a doorway. Things like a 12" wide counter next to a refrigerator are effectively useless, especially when you have the opportunity to breath new life into the space, and redesign it with universal design elements, at very little cost, that adds great value for you and in terms of ROI. Minimizing future 'design obsolecence' is something I encourage all homeowner's to consider when undertaking such projects. Contact me if you want to discuss specifics. I wish you well.

Denice Shuty DMH, just as a personal preference I would rather have a large, single pantry behind a door than more cabinets. I don't like the look of walls covered with cabinets.

DMH DESIGN Writely you may be, in general terms. In this particular layout, and based upon my experience, a walled, walk in pantry of this size reduces the available counter space, and it really chops up the kitchen by isolating an effective work space and creating an ineffective one. It is very difficult to place a bag of groceries on a 12" counter, and then try to see into, reach into and try to unpack said bag without spilling the contents onto the floor. A pantry should be located at the end of a bank of cabinets, not in the middle. This can be corrected in the rework. Often a good location for your type of pantry has been off a hall between the Util. Room and the Kitchen, providing those rooms are in near proximity.

Denice Shuty I agree with you on the layout DMH, the pantry should be at the end. It's the look of upper cabinets I don't like. But tables and counters are a must.

barnrazn6 In my opinion, hard wood floor would look better for the floor.

terricloth Writely yours... What is your idea for a ceiling treatment in the great room?

Denice Shuty terricloth, there are a number of things you could do, but I need to know more about your style to zero in on something. What patterns do you like, surfaces and materials, what is your design style? What kind of furniture are you putting in here?

terricloth Casual, contemporary style. I like wood and stone, warm tones for the walls. Accent colors in light aquas and greens. There is a panoramic ocean view from most windows in the house as well as green mountain view from the northeast part of the house.

hoffycom We are at the "shore" also but on the east coast right where sandy landed in margate nj! It's cold here so we installed heated mats under our wood tile floor. Cool in the summer, toasty in the winter! We installed them throughout the 2 bedroom condo and laid carpet in both bedrooms, with ceiling fans of course. (Hall pic attached) have fun
! Hoff

Denice Shuty Go visit the HOUZZ profile for John David Edison Interiors - he has done a great design for a tropical home that looks so much like yours!

Denice Shuty Contemporary Family Room design by Other Metro Interior Designer John David Edison Interior Design Inc.

Denice Shuty Oh heck, pasting the code didn't work, so I downloaded the image and will attach it here for you. I think these are the colors you like, too.