If you are designing a diner style retro kitchen, laundry room or even basement, you might want to consider this black-and-white floor tile in resilient sheet vinyl from Mannington, Armstrong, or Tarkett. Above: Armstrong.
In my experience, sheet vinyl is low cost and super easy to keep clean. 9″ squares, if you can find them, would have been the size typically used in mid century homes. 12″ squares are more common today. And Armstrong has both solid and marbleized squares to choose from. You also can achieve the black and white checkerboard look using 12″ x 12″ VCT tiles, which are going to require regular polishing and buffing… in linoleum from Forbo/Marmoleum or Armstrong… updated 2021: now there are 9″ tiles too! … or by using ceramic tile, which will be harder under foot.
Click the following links to get the manufacturers who make these patterns:
- Tarkett Fiber Floor Checker Berry design
- Armstrong – several designs — Armstrong seems to have black and white checkerboards in a number of lines. They also have marbleized (vs solid) checkerboard.
Wayne says
Hey everybody,
I’m getting ready to have my kitchen floor redone with the black and white tiles over linoleum. Here’s where I got my inspiration, would love your feedback on this! (and yes, I’m a little eccentric!)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.idmphotos.com/Building_Photography_RedKitchen.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.idmphotos.com/buildings.htm&usg=__y5JQEFYaJA9UZBDmYUI5K5g3hhc=&h=347&w=520&sz=85&hl=en&start=0&sig2=xNynIOGqBKcSWkDXV0rZ9A&zoom=1&tbnid=PunkxrTEYgkN4M:&tbnh=156&tbnw=202&ei=t4qvTb7EB8ro0QH6srGzCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dred%2Bkitchen%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D677%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=352&vpy=130&dur=1&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=172&ty=134&oei=t4qvTb7EB8ro0QH6srGzCw&page=1&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0
Patty (in Dallas) says
When I did my semi-retro kitchen in my ’55 ranch, I put down commercial black and white 12″ vinyl tile (or, rather, I had it put down. I wish I could remember the brand off the top of my head — it’s been a couple of years.
I love it. I had wanted black-and-white floors since I was ten. I had a hard time finding plain black and plain white and was close to going with the swirly vintage-linoleum look when I found them.
I went with the square pattern as opposed to diagonal, because I always kind of felt the diagonal was for marble foyers in Victorian mansions and the 90-degree look was for ’50s diners. I have no idea where I got that idea, though. I since have come around to liking both styles equally. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pattyindallas/2342541792/in/set-72157601821936072/
Guy H. says
I love vinyl flooring! great stuff. Sturdy and good looking!
These pictures are all beautiful.
I am torn on the checkerboard kitchen tiles… on one hand I love the way they look.
But, on the other hand, it reminds me of a 50’s diner… not a home kitchen.
debbby says
i am searching for gray and white diagonal vinyl flooring but i am having “NO” luck……can anyone out there help me ????
pam kueber says
debby, none that i know of. assuming you mean checkerboards — you could do it with individual tiles — armstrong excelon or one of the other brands. super affordable.
Gu3mom says
Although your post is old, I thought I’d toss this out in case anyone is looking now: Armstrong products: 1. Caspian II Checkerboard Gray G4531. As far as I know, it’s still available but I am evidently a magnet for discontinued vinyl!! :/
pam kueber says
Thanks! Looks available still: http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/vinyl-sheet/checkerboard-gray-resilient-vinyl-sheet-G4531/floor-128279.asp
Debra Bradford says
Where can I buy the red and white checkerboard floor tile?
Angela Christianson says
I ABSOLUELY LOVE Checkered black and white vinyl flooring!!! To me it exudes old world Italy with a vintage modern flair! What’s not to love about it! It’s colorful, it’s fun, it’s fresh and goes with practically any decor.
Love, Checkered designs favorite fan!
-Angela
Traci @ Corner of Lacrosse says
I just started laying down my Black and White 12×12 tile floor last night and was so thrilled after the first row went down that I actually danced back and forth from the tile cutter. I love how the diagonal looks but I am doing the work myself and this is only my 2nd time doing tiling so I figured I better stick to what I know.
Its alwasy good to know there are other people out there who love my floor as much as I do.
pam kueber says
🙂
MCM is Grand says
We had the same black and white vinyl flooring installed in our former home (built in 1953) . The kitchen had the original cabinets & tile, so this helped to bring back that 50’s vibe. I miss that floor! Thanks for these great photos and comments!
Suzanne says
I had the kitchen & (laundry room) floor in my 1941 cottage in Burbank, CA done with Tarkett. I designed the diagonal pattern to give the illusion of a larger space, & the double border to mimic Armstrong’s wonderful patterns of the 40s.
Will try to send a photo.
gsciencechick says
I have always loved the black and white checkerboard look. Our next door neighbors had it.
Thanks to those who posted pics. Just gorgeous! Love the lime cabinets, too.