@kmkane... The "old thread" comments, at least from ME... aren't for any other reason than letting some contributors know, that the advice they might believe they are giving, may be moot. I know that when I 1st became involved on Houzz, I was glad when someone indicated that I may be addressing a question which had probably been answered months (if not years) ago. Helped me "learn" to check the original posting date before blathering on about an issue someone was no longer interested in.

those tiles from the 1800s are encaustic... the color goes all the way through. ceramic tiles are red in the middle and have just a relatively thin layer of color and glaze. porcelain tiles do have a color matched center (look at the edges to tell) but i'm not certain that all of the pattern goes through. at least it would wear off and turn the main color, not red.

Hope post shows, got some weird error message

I need advice on colours for my entranceway - its 1770m wide and 5900m long. The walls have recently been re-gibbed with T&G panels attached approx a third of the way up the wall from the floor. I want to paint the area. I thought a darker shade on the t&g with a lighter shade above. Something to give it a bit of character. I want a warm neutral shade because its a cold south island nz climate. At this stage I am thinking a smoky grey tile on the floor with heating underneath. What colours do you recommend to go with the tiles? The door into the entrance and the door leading from entrance to kitchen are both cedar. So something to also match with them. Really appreciate some comments!! Also, the tiles would flow through the cedar door into the kitchen area which is an antique white shade. Open to suggestions of tile colour too.....nothing set in concrete as yet.