Collection by Dwell

Love It or Hate It? Checkerboard

Without a doubt, there’s something timeless about checkerboard, whether it’s on your floors, walls, or furniture. But does timeless always mean good?

A red-tiled table beside the window offers a sunny nook for meals.
A red-tiled table beside the window offers a sunny nook for meals.
"I love objects,
"I love objects,
Every room is flooded with natural light and decorated with objets and artwork that are meaningful to Josephine. In the hallway, she swapped a generic dome light fixture for a lemon-yellow pendant.
Every room is flooded with natural light and decorated with objets and artwork that are meaningful to Josephine. In the hallway, she swapped a generic dome light fixture for a lemon-yellow pendant.
The Foxcroft Estate Kitchen Renovation 5
The Foxcroft Estate Kitchen Renovation 5
Over the last decade, architect Francine Monaco and her husband, David Bauer, have filled their bungalow on Long Island with rare furniture, art, and antiques. In the living room, midcentury Danish chairs join a camel saddle covered with an alpaca hide, used as an ottoman. Francine had round “lily pads” cut from gingham-patterned carpeting.
Over the last decade, architect Francine Monaco and her husband, David Bauer, have filled their bungalow on Long Island with rare furniture, art, and antiques. In the living room, midcentury Danish chairs join a camel saddle covered with an alpaca hide, used as an ottoman. Francine had round “lily pads” cut from gingham-patterned carpeting.
At a design-focused mansion in Belgium, the soaring atrium is home to a jacaranda high board from the 1960s, a chrome and glass lamp from Italy, a black leather chair and footstool by Sergio Rodrigues, a Berber rug, and a pair of photographs by the Brazilian artist Luiz Braga.
At a design-focused mansion in Belgium, the soaring atrium is home to a jacaranda high board from the 1960s, a chrome and glass lamp from Italy, a black leather chair and footstool by Sergio Rodrigues, a Berber rug, and a pair of photographs by the Brazilian artist Luiz Braga.
Fully renovated galley kitchen with large checker patterned floors, a nod the original 1950s home.
Fully renovated galley kitchen with large checker patterned floors, a nod the original 1950s home.
The bed is from Room & Board.
The bed is from Room & Board.
The updated galley kitchen mixes retro style with modern amenities. A black-and-white checkered pattern lines the floor, complementing the cabinetry and quartz counters. A pass-through connects looks into the living and dining area.
The updated galley kitchen mixes retro style with modern amenities. A black-and-white checkered pattern lines the floor, complementing the cabinetry and quartz counters. A pass-through connects looks into the living and dining area.
The architect added black-and-white checkered wallpaper in the bathroom to spruce up the simple design.
The architect added black-and-white checkered wallpaper in the bathroom to spruce up the simple design.
The vibrant tiles in one of the showers were left as is, an homage to their predecessor, the ceramics studio J.Schatz.
The vibrant tiles in one of the showers were left as is, an homage to their predecessor, the ceramics studio J.Schatz.
The 650-square-foot apartment has a galley kitchen with checkered black-and-white tile.
The 650-square-foot apartment has a galley kitchen with checkered black-and-white tile.
The walls and flooring are covered in terrazzo, which either appears a single shade of blue, red, or green, or in a black-and-white checkered pattern.
The walls and flooring are covered in terrazzo, which either appears a single shade of blue, red, or green, or in a black-and-white checkered pattern.
With the visible structure and piping of the tub and sink, the bathroom is a visual echo of the exposed trusses in the extension.
With the visible structure and piping of the tub and sink, the bathroom is a visual echo of the exposed trusses in the extension.
Light wood cabinetry and black-and-white checkerboard flooring create a simple, classic look for the kitchen, where functional elements have been pared back to a bare minimum; there’s a sink and a small amount of cabinetry where hot plates and a microwave are stored. "Our client is not a big cook and often orders out when she’s at home," Hostache says.
Light wood cabinetry and black-and-white checkerboard flooring create a simple, classic look for the kitchen, where functional elements have been pared back to a bare minimum; there’s a sink and a small amount of cabinetry where hot plates and a microwave are stored. "Our client is not a big cook and often orders out when she’s at home," Hostache says.

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