Good Questions: How to Work with Checkerboard Tile?

Hello AT,

I moved into a new apartment two days ago and already have a decorating dilemma. It's an older apartment with lots of little classic features, including black and white checkerboard linoleum in the bathroom. The only times I've really seen checkerboard flooring are in rooms that are way too kitschy and retro for me, which makes finding inspiration pictures rather difficult....

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Can you give me any decorating and paint color suggestions that will work with the tile but not make me feel like I'm living in the '50's?

Thanks so much! Cathy

Anyone????

Comments (5)

ok.. I have a whole house that is black and white tile on the diagonial that I just bought... the whole house.. Is there anyway to decorate that is not modern or contemporary....
Is there anyway to have a warm and classic look?

mgm

monicagaw--

That type of flooring, when executed in marble, is quite old-school traditional... so just treat it as such. Use traditional area carpets, and treat the floor as a total neutral.

Check out Traditional Home for inspiration.

I agree with patrick(the other one). This type of flooring, and many black and white, and some other two-tone flooring, can be pulled off as a "neutral."

To Chris(NYC) I don't think it looks kitschy just because of the angle of the tile. It is a "classic" design because of the diagonal placement (so the poster dodged a bullet on that one!)

As for making it retro (which is more associated with more of a checkered, not diamond/diagonal pattern) because of the classic angling, I think you can pull of a Mediterranean or Caribbean look better; especially if retro is not your thing. I think rusty maroons, emerald greens, mustard yellows and/or golds with natural-colored wood would look wonderful.

And if you wanted a theme, MARDI GRAS! Just kidding :), but IF you had one I think those colors would look awesomely amazing with the floors. Oooo....you could also go with a royal court theme. There's an opportunity to create a "royal throne" from the toilet. Ok, that's my daily limit of kitsch and potty humor.