Bit more forward planning, in anticipation of looking out for a discounted
pallet load of tiles:

I've been looking at floor tiles, to go onto a solid concrete floor for
kitchen, utility and bathroom areas.

I'm looking for stuff that lasts (because laying it is the lion's share of
the "cost" and I want 30 years plus out of this) and is practical to clean
and maintain. Not too worried about materials expense withing reason,
because I'm able to vary the look to take advantage of last minute big
discounts on job lots - I expect to be buying by the pallet load as we'll
be using the same pattern in several areas.

My research so far:

Marble - often shiney and too slippery. I have seen a less pilished marble,
but I have no idea what it's like.

Travertine - I like the general look, but it seems too porous to me to be
practical (I don't want to be resealing it all the time), and I hate the
swiss cheese effect on some of the variants.

Slate - I really like the look and feel, but riven is perhaps going to be
more of a pig to lay (grouting in particular, and getting a level finish)
and more of a crap-trap cleaning wise. Robust though.

------------

I'm not discounting ceramic (and other varieties) tiles but I'd like it not
to be something where either the glaze crazes or the pattern wears off too
easily.

Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Tim