Photographing Bekki and Gary's kitchen this month reminded me how much I love the look of black and white checkerboard tiles. Whether ceramic, linoleum or vinyl, this classic flooring can evoke a range of moods and styles, from retro 50s kitsch to grand Hollywood Regency a la Dorothy Draper.

Linoleum and vinyl tiles are both relatively cheap, durable, soft on the feet and legs, and easy to clean and maintain. Vinyl virtually replaced linoleum in the 1950s but linoleum is experiencing a resurgence, due in part to its all-natural and eco-friendly profile. And if you want to maintain your wood floors but like the checkered look you can also paint your floors in checkerboard, as seen in Image #3.

This Old House is a goldmine of information about the difference between vinyl and linoleum. Did you know, for example, that retail stores, day-care centers, and hospitals prefer linoleum flooring because of its natural bactericidal qualities? This Old House also offers tutorials on laying vinyl flooring.

Two other sources for fun facts about checkerboard tiling are JPD School of Design and Quick History: Checkerboard Floors on Apartment Therapy.

FIRST ROW
• 1 Apartment Therapy | Inspiration: Swedish Kitchens
• 2 Elle Decor | Traditional Bathroom
• 3 Elle Decor | Beach Kitchen
• 4 Apartment Therapy | Softening the Look of a Checkerboard Floor
• 5 Apartment Therapy | Softening the Look of a Checkerboard Floor

SECOND ROW
• 6 Before and After by Lauren Lain | Kitchen Inspiration
• 7 Kitchen Backsplashes | Black and White Kitchen Tiling Ideas
• 8 Apartment Therapy | Our Favorite Black & White Inspired Interiors
• 9 Kitchen Backsplashes | Black and White Kitchen Tiling Ideas
• 10 The Kitchn | Sarah's Tiny Citrus Squeeze

Images: as linked above

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