The floor tile is basically a flat colour there's no vein or pattern at all. It's the bench that has the pattern. We already have a skylight and the only other area we can put a window has an a/c unit unfortunately. The other walls have rooms on either side. It's tough. I found another tile yesterday I love. But from about 11 until 3pm, the entire island bench has this yellow hue to it. I think because no direct sunlight is hitting it?? But mornings and evenings it looks lovely! I might just have to bite the bullet and go with how nice it looks for the majority of the time (mornings and evenings). That's when we are most there anyway.

It can either look really dramatic or too dark, depending on the size of the room as well as your other components. I've attached a couple of images of our work using dark tiles, the smaller bathroom we have surrounded the bath with dark tiles but then balance it with an extra large mirror to bounce the light around the room. The larger bathroom we have taken the floor colour way onto the wall but used a different texture on the walls for drama. Hopefully this gives you more of an idea but you shouldn't to nervous of the room being dark, it's where you can create a contrast as well as textures. Look forward to seeing what you go with in the end.

I’d go with timber or cork. Cork is great in a kitchen. Easy on your feet and joints and things are much less likely to break if you drop them. Especially as you age, tiles cause fatigue if you are standing in the kitchen for too long. Cork is now available in lots of different colours and styles including charcoals and greys that might compliment your slate. It’s not all 80s orange. Of course timber can look great too. Just make sure it’s ok for kitchen use.

Hi Sue, I love oklouise ‘s and JE C’s ideas, also your tiles are fab, I think you could love them, try adding some gorgeous items to the bathroom that will give it a really stylish look, could look fabulous