A lot of decorating tips seem to be housework disasters -

[Warpy]

22. Hear Hear!

The only worse idea is carpet. When I redo my kitchen (when I steel myself to living out of a microwave and having a gang of men clomping through here every day--oh hell, maybe I'll just move), I'm thinking either linoleum or cork flooring. Saltillo tile is the big thing here, but I want something that's a bit easier to stand on and doesn't shatter everything I drop on it.

One great thing about being such a Gypsy and moving around so much is being able to see what works and what doesn't and wood floors and a working kitchen are pretty much incompatible. Engineered flooring that looks like wood might be a tick better but I'm not going to bet the rent on it.

Having lived with linoleum and wood countertops, I'm well aware what an advance Formica represents. I love the stuff. While I wouldn't have stone counters ripped out in favor of it, I'd always wish I had it.