Kitchen Flooring Trend: Follow the Red Brick Floor

We have about one more month of summer left and because school is starting, my mind is starting to think sweaters, leaves, fireplaces but it’s still 90 degrees everyday and the dogs are shedding like they’re in a competition (Nelson, the lab mix, would win).  I am so tired of the fur in the house.  The other thing that makes the fur in the home so special is that it’s now a special summer blend of dirt from the yard.  We’ve been re-doing our backyard (Dave’s been redoing our backyard) this summer and we’ve had a small motorcross course in our backyard for the last few months.

We had 21 tons (!) of decomposed granite delivered this week and Dave’s been spreading it out and now, with no plants, it looks like we’re creating a parking area for a fleet of rental cars.  It might looks this way for a while also because we really shouldn’t plant anything in the August heat.

While Dave was toiling in the yard with something called a “Dingo” (I am not making this up), I recently fell off my office chair looking at a kitchen in the September issue of “Country Living” with gorgeous brick floors, soapstone counters and natural wood.

What’s that?  You want me to list the things I love about this room?  1. Soapstone Counters  2. Wood Trim 3. White Refrigerator 4. “Brick” Floor 5. Wood Table in Center instead of an Island 6. Green wall paint 7. Open Sink Cabinet 8. Beadboard Cabinet Door Faces 9. Antique Prints on the Wall and 10.  Dog on the Floor.  I didn’t even include the stove because that’s a given.

I suddenly feel very excited about brick floors.  I think it will be a hard sell to my clients – most people are putting in hardwood floors in their kitchens and I think that brick is still considered “dated” by some people.   I think it’s a great way to add old world charm and texture to a kitchen.  Here are some more photos to help me convince you:

Where to buy?  You can get thin set brick at almost any local tile shop or you can also get them from any brick supplier like General Shale.  Locally, I like Summit Brick – in particular I like the Alameda:

Drawbacks that I can see to brick floors?  It might not be very comfortable if you’re a barefoot person.  I also wonder about all the grout lines, but brick is incredibly durable so it might be fine!  What are your thoughts on brick floors in kitchens?  Pretty to look at but not functional?  Functional and gorgeous!  Or, dated, please don’t bring back the brick!