Um, I think stone/marble in a foyer is actually pretty true to the Victorian roots, but I second your inclination and MGR's urgings to keep it modern and fresh as in the great samples he's provided.

But please, please please... if you have any nice architectural detail still left, don't obliterate it. Get your modern vibe with what you add (and how you paint/add hardware), not by what you subtract. Find some way to honor the history of the house.

But if insistent on removing anything period, work with a salvage company that can find them new homes, so the detail is not lost to a dumpster...

Stone tile is definitely "period" -- that was the era of encaustic tile. A sample:
http://www.arttile.com/victorian-tile.asp

As you can see, it's somewhat of a mosaic look. For a more contemporary feel that's still in scale with the proportions of the original brownstone (assuming historic details are still there), I'd be tempted to try one of two approaches:

--Mosaic floor, but in contemporary colors. Black and white? Mosaic of whites and off-whites? Mosaic of exciting contemporary glass and metallic tiles? You'd have all sorts of options.

--Use larger stone tiles to get more contemporary proportions on most of the floor, but strategically inset a few "special" tiles that pick up the original historic feel.

Bear in mind that I like a little historic feel, just not too much and not suffocating me (as high Victorianism is wont to do).

What about Moroccan tile? This sounds sort of nutty but it is light in color and sort of appeals to me. if i screw this up the wife is going to kill me

I have recently seen Moroccan tile in a couple of super modern kitchens and it looked great. If I remember correctly dwell magazine had a modern kitchen with Moroccan tile a few issues back.
Personally I love the juxtaposition of old and new and the introduction of pattern to the modern palette as seen in the insurgence of modern wallpapers and carpets... so why not in tile.... try it out... It’s your place; you don't have to worry about your landlord.

Moroccan tile like the little mosaic tiles? Or is there some new meaning?
http://www.moroccan-tiles.com/

If it's the mosaic tile style, that would be an incredibly perfect solution on many levels. The Moroccan tiles retain the scale and visual complexity of a "period" design but give you freedom to choose your own color scheme. Plus, exoticism was big when your house was new as well as being big now. And of course, a lively design in stone humanizes a sleek contemporary look while still being pretty sleek itself.

I'm going to say it... stick with the wood. Have you thought of simply taking the wood floors very dark and leaving the walls very light? Professionally refinishing an old wood floor can really give it a fresh look without destroying the original elements. There is no reason that wood can't look clean and contemporary and there is nothing intrisically contemporary about tile. 90% of the time, the best solution is to work with the architecture that you have. Look to some of the french interiors magazines for inspiration. They seem to manage some really beautiful clean modern looks inside ornate older french apartments. Catherine Memmi would be a particular inspiration in this regard. Check her website as I believe the press section has lots of pictures of her homes and homes she has decorated.

And remember that when it comes time to sell, you will be very happy you respected the original period elements of your brownstone.

I agree with Richard - a dark ebony wood floor with light, neutral colored walls is a really beautiful simple and modern look.

(asuming of course, that a wood foyer was indeed original to your house, as the foyers in many of this vintage of home was indeed tile...)

Another person beside Richard's mention of Catherine Memmi (gorgeous stuff!) would be Kelly Hoppen.

I think the Brits and Europeans all have much more experience working modernism sensitively into vintage shells than do designers stateside... with the possible exception of some of the DC desigenrs like Thomas Pheasant and Darryl Carter. So I'd peruse the UK shelter mags to get inspiration.

WERE indeed tile. Sorry.

and "aSSuming". and "designers".

Oy. I need to go back in bed.

When you say a "dark ebony wood" what would do you have in mind? Is that a stain or actual walnut? The moroccan tile i have in mind is about $14 a square foot, not ludicrously more than wood but certainly more

Since you're in the New York area, you may want to contact Mosaic House (www.mosaichse.com). The owner there was really helpful when I went in and they have some amazing Moroccan tiles to choose from. He showed a lot of modern homes with their tiles added to the mix and I've got to say I was impressed with the level creativity the tiles gave homeowners and/or designers.
Their tiles are all handmade and cut in Morocco, so it does inflate the price a bit.
If you're still considering Moroccan tiles and are in the Flatiron area, you should definitely stop by. I think the owners name was Benz.

Good luck with your search!

I'm an interior designer in San Francisco and i've done so many Moorish inspired homes .
There is a company called Saint Tropez Boutique located in San francisco who specialized in all the Moorish inspired home decor and Moroccan tiles you may check out their websites:

http://www.sainttropezboutique.us
http://www.sainttropezstone.com
http://www.sainttropezboutique.net

or just call them at : (415) 513-5920
they also have a georgous showroom located at : 25 evelyn way, San Francisco, CA 94127

Marie,

The irregularities in shape, texture, and color that come from hand-finishing are typical of moroccan-moorish floor and tile walls. Wall tiles sre predominantely used in the kitchen and bathroom, as they provide a hygienic surface that is both waterproof and easy to clean, and offer smoother finish to counteract the rough natural surfaces. Today neither of these rooms has a purely utilitarian function. The kitchen has become the warm heart of the home while the bathroom has become a private sanctuary that is inviting and pleasant to enter
Moroccan tile showroom & warehouse is locatedin Clearwater, Fl on US high way 19 also you can view there products online by visiting http://www.justmorocco.com