I think if you select a wall color that is too well coordinated to the tile, it will only bring out the vibrant pattern in the tile. So pick colors you like. Let your personal style and the vibe of the rooms dictate the colors. Your walls, furnishings and accessories will take center stage so you won't really notice the tile. Area rugs will down play the tile too. Ceilings are a great opportunity to add color also.

Hi Lucie, Cork flooring is an excellent product for any interior. A "down stairs" area (when speaking of cork) is a "floating floor" installation. Cork/rubber combinations are all the rage at this time because of the durability/cushion. I also know the price is SIGNIFICANT when working with rubber or rubber/cork combinations. For the price of a rubber floor, you can choose a high end solid hardwood. The drawback to rubber = smell/off gassing. Even a revulcanized rubber (they burn it again to get rid of more of the smell) can still leave an unpleasant odour for quite a long time. When rubber is in direct sunlight or heat is added, the smell returns. Rubber will deteriorate in direct sunlight = crumbling. Cork will simply "fade" but not crumble. In a place like Tahoe where nature is revered, a cork floor would be a better compliment to the surroundings. Rubber can be more modern/industrial looking. Cork floating floors can go everywhere except a bathroom. This is where the glue down cork tiles come into play. Cork floating flooring can start as low as $2.29/sf and range into the $15 per square foot range (depending on the dealer). At icorkfloor.com the highest priced cork floor is the printed cork at $4.59/sf...the rest are below $4/sf. Rubber underlay starts at $4/sf and the flooring doubles that price and then ranges much higher. I would find out about VOC testing for the rubber products you are looking to use. If you or your family have any sensitivities (asthma, COPD, migraines, etc), rubber may not be an option.

Artificial turf! The green (they come in different colours, too, if you'd like to be psychedelic) adds a lively pop of colour to a blah space, and they're designed in easy-to-install tile-style units that have some built-in drainage for minimal maintenance. Absolut Outdoors and Green Turf can tell you more :) And I'd hang an outdoor art piece or a screen for air plants on that blank wall, too, to enliven your balcony.

Wood and Marble are both non-porous thus it would cause etching and corrosion. Besides that, marble are high maintenance materials as they require high maintenance. In the long run, wooden looking tiles (made of porcelain or ceramic) would be more practical. You can also consider marble looking quartz. You may check out the D & L series of iQuartz range. If you're based in Singapore you may call Stone Amperor in +65 87879029 for more information. If you're based in Malaysia you may contact AmpQuartz in +6017-7320149 for more information.