Checkerboard Floors: Then and Now (2024)

Checkerboard Floors: Then and Now (1)

What makes checkerboard tile so appealing and versatile? Is it the combination of tradition and the evolution of materials, or is it the implied story told by a vintage tile floor? There is much to discover, above and beyond trending vintage tile photos and its rich history. This blog will cover installation and specification recommendations, tile manufacturing history, and of course, lots of vintage tile and checkerboard pattern inspiration. You may become a fan if you're on the fence.

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Questrel Staircase at Versailles

Vintage tile throughout time

You might consider black and white tile in a classic checkerboard pattern to be marketed as a vintage or nostalgic design. Still, the true origins of the checkerboard pattern have been studied extensively. A quick trip around the internet reveals that it wasn't flooring but paint that produced the first checkerboard pattern. Here are a few interesting tidbits.

  • Ancient Egyptian Temples - Who would have thought the checkerboard pattern pre-dates Cleopatra? Check out thisdecorated jarfrom the Predynastic Period.
  • Masonic Lodges - The black and white checkerboard pattern is present where initiations occur and has been described as symbols of the evil and good of human life.
  • "Queen's Staircase" in the Palace of Versailles - This famous staircase was decorated by the infamous 17th-century French painter Charles Le Brun. Given its detailed history, it's no surprise that Versailles adorns the pattern in many areas. The famous staircase is just one of many checkered areas that graced the Renaissance Period.
  • Victorian Era - Hallways, foyers, and more presented the checker pattern in exciting ways, using color & careful layouts to create stunning floors in cozy spaces.

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The scale of the 10x10 Antiqued marble in our Lauren LiessVERANDACollection creates the foundation of a quintessential cottage. Its vintage tile appeal is organic, with a handmade timeworn edge & finish.

What Design Style is a checkerboard pattern?

It actually fits into any design style quite beautifully. About a decade ago, my opinion was that they were too dressed up, formal, and ornate for me. I couldn't wrap my head around the Mckenzie Child's craze, that is, until I worked with a client on a magical floor in their family home, with a neutral and soft cream & medium gray checkerboard ceramic 8x8 floor. This is where I fell in love with the idea and started stepping outside my comfort zone with tone, pattern, and tile shapes. Today,I'm still chasing these charming Mckenzie Child'scourtly check pumpkinsandwill one day get my hands on them.

Soft Aesthetic Checkerboard Patterns

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Maximalist Checkerboard Patterns

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Funky & Fun!

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Whether you are going for a soft aesthetic or bold, there are endless options for duo combinations. Have you heard of the design style called Dark Academia or Moody Maximalism? How did these design styles come about? It turns out the Addams Family was onto something. Photos with deep jewel tones & checkerboard patterns aplenty reign the Moody Maximalist for Every Décor Facebook group, and, notably, you don't need to have royal veins, as the Addams Family does, to be able to enjoy it in your home.

Checkerboard Tile in the United States

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In the 1920s, checkerboard pattern flooring became popular in residential kitchens, and it's no secret why. The 1920s was when ceramic tile started to be manufactured in large industrial complexes. It was also when paper-faced mosaics were invented, so hand-setting individual mosaic pieces were no longer required.

A few decades go by, and we hit the 1950s when ceramic tile takes a back seat to vinyl and plastic laminates due to cost and labor options during the postwar housing boom. This, of course, did not make the checkerboard pattern disappear, but it did eventually fuel the asbestos remediation industry. By the middle of the century, vinyl checkerboards could be seen in nearly every diner across the US. Checkerboard kitchens and diners were more popular than ever before.

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Grout Joints & Rectified Tile

Checkerboard pattern tile installations have a distinct feature that dictates the overall feel - the size of the grout joint. You will be surprised to learn how recent it actually was that marble-look porcelain with very small grout joints was first possible - due to rectified edges. The grout size dictates the design at large in the place a checkerboard tile pattern adorns, and having porcelain available as an alternative to marble means that the trend has become more accessible over time.

A rectified tile is defined by its extra step in the manufacturing process, which mechanically grinds each side to achieve precise and consistent dimensions. The most sought-after feature of rectified tile is that the uniform size allows the tile to be installed with grout joints as small as 1/16".

Tiles that aren't rectified are known as "pressed" with a factory edge and vary slightly in size from each production run. Although often unnoticeable to the human eye-- due to the slight size variations, 3/8" grout joints are needed, partly to align the tile correctly during installation. Smaller joints result in a floor that may become misaligned at some point during the installation.

Read ourExpert Guide on Grout Blogfor more great info on grout.

PALATIAL Collection

Tile in the US market, up to about 1990, was driven by pressed products, meaning it was required to be installed with a larger grout joint. Rectified tile, which can be installed with a much smaller grout joint, began to be manufactured in the early to mid-90s by Crossville. But there is something important to note - that the rectification machines were in a different plant, which means more resources were required to produce them. This means tile distributors across the US probably didn't have a large variety of rectified tiles readily available until the late 90s or early 2000s. Of course, Italy has been rectifying tiles a lot longer, so many imports were enjoyed across the US before that era.

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Crossville at a tradeshow, displaying their large format (for the era) 8x8 pressed tiles, which were the first in the US to produce. Can you imagine how many checkerboard floors were installed using those tiles?

Today, in US factories, the rectification machines are typically located within the same plant, bringing the cost down, albeit still more expensive than pressed tiles, due to the extra steps, time, and machines required during rectification.

Checkerboards in Commercial Projects

The tile industry has come a long way since 4x4 ties in a burger king bathroom. Now that tile is readily available and the most hygienic & durable material, it's the most suitable flooring for universities and schools. Add a grip finish for higher slip resistance, and you have endless options to break up the challenge of monotony that many institutions face. Checkerboards add visual interest yet can still blend into the background while providing a learning environment with the healthiest material available. OurGlobalgrip Collectionhas a robust selection of options that can be installed indoors and outdoors, connecting your traditional learning space with nature, using a soft aesthetic checkerboard tile pattern.

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Left: GlobalGrip Collection
Right: Architectenbureau Felix & Partners tactfully chose the right components for Middenschool Bredene, MOSA Global Collection.

Installation Requirements

STOP! Read this before installing a Checkerboard Pattern Tile!

Getting creative with checkerboard patterns can be risky business. Now that you know a little about rectified tiles, let's get into more details.

First, let's quickly review rectified tiles. If you want the smallest grout joint possible, your tiles must be rectified. These tiles can have a grout joint no smaller than 1/16", but often ⅛" is a better fit. Talk to your installer about which is possible for your installation. If you want a more storybook, or natural feel, pressed porcelain or antique stone may be a better fit for your project, with a larger grout joint of 3/16" or more. See our visual guide below to get an idea of grout joint spacing.

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Next, you must know about calibration. Both tiles must be calibrated - meaning they are dimensionally the same. This is the most important thing you need to be aware of. You can't mix a white 12x12 tile from one factory with a 12x12 black tile from another.

Calibration = a sorting process that manufacturers may use to ensure all tiles within packaged boxes are dimensionally consistent. During the manufacturing process, unfired ceramic tiles are nearly identical in size when they exit the press, but the firing process in the kiln will cause the tiles to shrink–perhaps at slightly different rates from piece to piece. Through calibration, manufacturers sort tiles based on the finished size.

Read more about other important tile terms in ourTile 101.

Only the producer of the tile can ensure your two different tiles have the same caliber, so you must work closely with your salesperson to ensure this important detail. Buying tile from large home centers can be tough because many tile cartons do not display this information, and in those cases, there is no way to know if the different tiles are compatible.

What happens if your two tiles are different calibers? Think of it like putting together a puzzle - where each piece is only a hair-off. You might be fine when you first start, but you will have a surface fit for a funhouse at the fair by the time you finish.

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I recently discovered this floor on an adventure to Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand. The tile is most likely unglazed, and the optical illusion pieces have been meticulously cut.

Digital Printing - Marble Look Porcelain tile Checkerboards

The tile industry is constantly innovating, design and format-wise, from slabs, thinner, thicker, through body veins, anti-bacterial, and more. To date, printing capabilities have been the most transformative of them all. Tile design and pattern have come a long way from silk screen to roto-color to digital printing technology.

The number of faces on a tile can vary from as little as one on basic tiles to over thirty on premium ranges. The industry usually does not provide this information publicly but if it's a concern you can always ask a rep or salesperson. Digital printing entered the market at the turn of the century and was not perfected until around 2010.

Digital Printing has brought the most realistic images possible and introduced hybrid looks to the market, adding texture and dimension. Most tiles produced in large-scale factories utilize this technology, with a few exceptions, such as deep vibrant colors. Pictured left is our Vision Collection, showing a concrete look tri-color checkerboard pattern.

Take the knowledge you have now on rectification and digital printing, which means that the most realistic-looking porcelain tile checkerboard pattern was not widely available from US factories until the past decade or so. Yes, I realize I'm ten years off here - but it took us about a decade to really perfect depth in veining. Your marble-look porcelains may not be real, but they are real pictures of actual stones, likely from Italy, but that topic could be another blog in itself!

Classic Marble Checkerboard - what you need to Know

Marble and natural stone tiles make some of the most captivating and timeless checkerboard floor installations. As simple as the design is, you must have a considerable amount of knowledge to avoid problems with the material and on the job site during installation. Let's review some important details.

Thinset - White stones should always be installed with white thinset

Dimensions - Black and white marble tiles obviously do not come from the same quarry - and probably not even the same Country. This means you must know if your two selections will work together.Are they the same exact dimensions? Mixing sources can be tricky, and it takes some extra work to find this information if you are browsing on your own, as only the factory or distributor can confirm the tiles will be consistent and are compatible to use in a checkerboard pattern.

OurCHECKMATECollection, shown below, was designed with this in mind, and we have already done the work for you to ensure all sizes will work together & have hand selected both classic and muted stones for any aesthetic.It would be wise to avoidsourcing two stone tiles from different stores unless you are confident they are exactly the same.

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Thickness - ⅜" is the standard thickness for most stone tiles. However, it's important to know that some rare stones may be thinner and laminated onto another stone, making them thicker. I have also seen thinner stone tiles on the market, but these are few and far between. Nonetheless, it's important to know the thicknesses between your checkerboard selections are the same. If they are different thicknesses, you must discuss this with your installer, as more work must be done to ensure your floor is even.

Edge - Earlier, you learned about the term "rectified," which only applies to porcelain. This term does not cross over into the natural stone realm; however, there are different terms to know.

  • Cut-to-size: Natural stones are mostly available in a straight-cut edge, which we call cut-to-size. This is exactly what it sounds like.
  • Micro-bevel: Some stones have an extra step done in the manufacturing process to create a micro-bevel edge. This slight sloping angle provides added dimension and interest, and some tout that it offers a softer landing for bare feet (think of the more exaggerated bevel on a door threshold). When mixing stones, ensure that both have a micro-bevel or neither. Combining the two is not ideal. Skilled installers may be able to add the bevel on-site at an extra cost, as it's not a quick process to complete. If your tile is polished, there will be multiple rounds of polishing that need to be done to add the micro-bevel with the same finish.

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  • Tumbled, Chiseled, or Antique Edge: Natural stone tiles with these old-world finished edges are all acceptable to use with a checkerboard pattern but require a larger grout joint to accommodate an irregular edge. Typically these edges are paired with smaller tiles when used in a checkerboard pattern so they are infused as part of the design feature. Larger tiles used in a checkerboard pattern don't needgrout interfering with the pattern at large, and smaller joints are common practice.

Now that you have some knowledge of natural stone, you are equipped for the smoothest installation possible should you choose to adopt a stone checkerboard design.

For more information on marble, read ourExpert Guide on Marble.

Captivating & One-of-a-Kind Checkerboard Patterns

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Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei, New Zealand

There are more than a plethora of special checkerboard tile patterns around the world. Here are two of my favorites. TheHundertwasser Art Centerin Whangarei, New Zealand, is a really special place, with mosaic tile whimsy to transport you into a magical time and place.

Earlier in this blog, you viewed a photo from Noble & Proper in Big Bear Lake, CA. Their website has a dreamygallery, chocked full of some great Checkerboard pattern tiles & one really special green and white checkerboard, assembled from subway tiles. Notice the appropriately robust grout joint spacing.

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Don’t have a square tile? No Problem!

There are many patterns that are not technically a classic checkerboard pattern, but through contrasting colors and shapes provide the same appeal. Perhaps we refer to them as checkerboard adjacent.

  • Rectangular checker patterns - These are not as popular, but don’t be surprised if you start seeing those on the wall with 3x6, 3x12 or other popular brick shaped tile in neutral colors. Installing an off-set 12x24 can create an interesting pattern as well, as shown below in our SOUL Collection.
  • Assemble a larger checkerboard pattern - You can create larger patterns by grouping tiles together in 4’s, like Noble & Proper did, shown above.
  • Shapes - some shapes can give you checked vibes when you alternative their colors, like our PIETTA DONOVAN Collection. This can turn your tile design into a wall-paper like feel, without the vertical seams that drive you nuts!

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Left: 12x24 offset pattern in ourSOUL Collection.

Right: Gridded Check 3x5 cm, a hand-cut stone mosaic shown in honed Dolomite and Lagos Gold in the Studio Line by New Ravenna.

Checkerboard patterns may feel like the main grand design feature all by itself, but the most interesting thing might be that they open up design possibilities instead of limiting them. For example, the installation below from our clients, who just installed K STREET b&w tile, is perfectly paired with pink parlor doors. Imagine for a minute that nearly any color door would look fantastic, although the pink is quite on fleek.

Now that you are equipped to properly buy or spec a checkerboard floor, head to your local Architessa showroom or reach out to your commercial rep to order samples of any collection referenced in this blog. Don't hesitate to ask if you're looking for something you dreamed up in your head. We have been known to source tile far and wide for the most special installations you have yet toset foot on.

Check out our Pinterest board below for more checkerboard inspiration.

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Checkerboard Floors: Then and Now (37)Julie Taury has thrived in the tile industry for two decades and held various positions ranging from retail sales to product development. Her unique background in distribution, manufacturing, strategic sales, and the A&D industry has built an unparalleled skill set to navigate the unpredictable surprises of the tile industry. Currently, she is the Chief Innovation Officer at Architessa, and is a remote trailblazer residing in Auckland, New Zealand.

Checkerboard Floors: Then and Now (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of checkerboard floors? ›

Checkerboard floors were present in 15th century European paintings and the design can be found in ancient artifacts, including Iranian ceramic vessels. Bronze Age pottery displayed the staggered square design in pieces from as early as 1500 BC. The design can even be found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

What is the meaning of the checkered floor? ›

Checkered flooring has become a de facto sign of Freemasons and signifies some member's connection to biblical parables and morals. It also links to the lectures and teachings pertaining to the construction of Solomon's Temple.

What is the meaning of the Masonic carpet? ›

Today it is one of Freemasonry's most recognizable symbols and is the ritualistic floor of all Masonic lodges. The pavement is the area on which initiations occur and is “emblematic of human life, checkered with good and evil.”

What is the symbolism of black and white floors? ›

From government building to châteaux, the iconic black and white marble floors were always present and have always evoked a symbol of nobility and wealth - an ode, a whisper of Greek antiquity, but a knowing look to ancient Persia.

What year were checkered floors popular? ›

Checkerboard floors were popular throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. And if you've ever wandered into the Old European Masters section of a museum, you might remember seeing a lot of checkerboard floors.

Where did the checkered floor originate? ›

This tile trend might be having a resurgence, but checkerboard floors have been around for centuries. Their history dates back to ancient Egypt; they were loved by the Romans; popular in Victorian entryways; and a staple of 1950s American diners.

What is the quote about checkerboard? ›

Life is a checkerboard, and the player opposite you is time. If you hesitate before moving, or neglect to move promptly, your men will be wiped off the board by time.

What is the moral law of the Freemasons? ›

The morality of Freemasonry requires Masons to deal justly with others, not to defraud, cheat or wrong them of their just dues and rights. A Mason is therefore particularly bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience.

What are Masonic floors? ›

Alternating squares of white and black. traditionally form the symbolic floor of. every Masonic Lodge. This Mosaic Pavement. is among the most important and fundamental.

What does 5 Masonic mean? ›

5. Masonic Blazing Star. The Masonic Blazing Star is said to be the pinnacle of a Freemason's journey. In Masonry, a man tries to use knowledge to guide him, much like a star that is blazing against a dark night sky.

Why was the anti Masonic Party? ›

The party was founded following the disappearance of William Morgan, a former Mason who had become a prominent critic of the Masonic organization. Many believed that Masons had murdered Morgan for speaking out against Masonry and subsequently many churches and other groups condemned Masonry.

What is the symbol of the Masons? ›

The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a square and a set of compasses joined), is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry. Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in Masonic ritual as emblems to teach symbolic lessons.

What is the symbol for floors? ›

The symbol of floor function is also a type of square bracket. i.e., ⌊ ⌋.

What does black and white together mean spiritually? ›

White is pure light and black is the absence of light. In many cultures, these two non-colours are associated with life and death rituals.

What is the rarest flooring? ›

Birdseye Maple is the rarest flooring option in the industry.

What do checkerboard pattern mean? ›

Black and white patterns such as stripes and checkerboards represent duality and balance, and have been linked to use in ritualistic ceremonies by the Illuminati. Conspiracy theories also suggest that such duality patterns, like mixed check or spirals, can be used as triggers for mind control.

What is the oldest type of flooring? ›

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to use manufactured stone for construction. Some of the earliest instances of constructed stone floors appear in the pyramids. The fact that they still stand today are a testament to their durability and stability.

Are checkered floors outdated? ›

Checkered floors are a timeless and classic design element that will never go out of style. There have been periods of popularity over the years, and we are experiencing one of those periods. Checkered floors can be done in many different ways, from bold and large scale to subtle and small.

Are checkered floors timeless? ›

Checkerboard Floors—A Timeless Classic That Will Never Go Out of Style | EyeSwoon.

What is another name for a checkered pattern? ›

Gingham. Gingham is a checkered pattern, usually white and a color. The stripes are horizontal and vertical, of the same color, placed over a white background.

What are 3 important quotes from among the hidden? ›

Among the Hidden Important Quotes
  • “He laid his hoe down gently, and savored one last moment of feeling warm soil beneath his bare feet. ...
  • “Before that, he had thought that only very little kids had to stay out of sight. ...
  • “For a while, Luke watched Dad, Mother, Matthew, and Mark eating in silence, a complete family of four.

What is the famous quote about being fooled? ›

It's Easier to Fool People Than It Is to Convince Them That They Have Been Fooled.” – Mark Twain.

What is the truth quote by Mark Twain? ›

If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

What religion condemned Freemasonry? ›

The Catholic Church first prohibited Catholics from membership in Masonic organizations and other secret societies in 1738. Since then, at least eleven popes have made pronouncements about the incompatibility of Catholic doctrines and Freemasonry.

What are the 3 principles of Freemasonry? ›

Our ceremonies are based around three principles that are still taught in our ceremonies today: look after those less fortunate, improve yourself and live life well so as to be remembered for the right reasons.

What are Freemasons in simple terms? ›

Freemasonry is an organization of people who believe in brotherhood and helping others. Its members are known as "Freemasons" (in full: "Ancient Free and Accepted Masons", or simply "Masons"). Freemasons also help one another in times of hardship. Freemasonry can be found all over the world in various forms.

What are the two types of Masons? ›

Modern Freemasonry broadly consists of two main recognition groups: Regular Freemasonry, which insists that a volume of scripture be open in a working lodge, that every member profess belief in a Supreme Being, that no women be admitted, and that the discussion of religion and politics not take place within the lodge; ...

What do the Masonic stairs mean? ›

Thus, the Winding Stairs become a symbol of the Mason's mental and spiritual life and growth, of learning, study and enlarging horizons, of courage and Masonic character.

What are the 2 pillars in a Masonic lodge? ›

In many lodges, particularly in the United States, it is common to see the twin pillars, Jachin and Boaz, affixed in the lodge room. They have become prominent symbols in the craft, appearing not only in the lodge but also in Masonic art and buildings.

What is the G on a Masonic ring? ›

The letter G is meant to remind Freemasons that all our lives and actions are performed in the presence of God, The Grand Architect. This allusion to this G's meaning is made quite clear and confirmed during The Tracing Board lecture of the Second Degree.

What does 3 mean in Mason? ›

Strength, beauty and wisdom also symbolize the 3 great pillars of the Lodges. Inscriptions upon the 3 temples refer to Nature, Reason and Wisdom, also of Masonic origin.

What is the 32 Masonic symbol? ›

The number 32 inside the triangle represents the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite. The Latin motto, “Spes mea in Deo est,” means “My hope is in God.” The Scottish Rite is a Masonic organization that continues a Master Mason's education of the first three degrees.

What is the opposite of the Masons? ›

Anti-Masonry (alternatively called anti-Freemasonry) is "avowed opposition to Freemasonry", which has led to multiple forms of religious discrimination, violent persecution, and suppression in some countries as well as in various organized religions (primarily Abrahamic religions).

What is Masonic investigation? ›

The Masonic Investigative Committee is one of the most important committees in the Masonic Lodge. The committee is responsible for finding out if candidates are qualified and worthy to become members of the noble Freemason Fraternity. Duties of the Masonic Investigative Committee.

What do Masons do? ›

Masons build structures with brick, block, and stone, some of the most common and durable materials used in construction. They also use concrete—a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water—as the foundation for everything from patios and floors to dams and roads.

Why do Masons wear rings? ›

Authentic masonic rings are types of signet rings that show membership to the Masonic brotherhood. In the most basic sense, the meaning of a Freemason ring is to symbolize the member's ongoing loyalty to the world's oldest fraternal organization.

What does the blue Masonic ring mean? ›

Blue is a significant color in Freemasonry because Freemasons start their journey in a symbolic lodge known as the “Blue Lodge.” The Blue Lodge is where the individuals receive their first three Masonry degrees. In that scenario, blue means special, sacred, wisdom, or perfection.

What is the difference between a Shriner and a Mason? ›

Shriners have temples; Masons have a Blue Lodge or Craft Lodge. Members of the Masonic lodges are required to learn about their fraternity and earn a series of Masonic degrees. When a member has completed the third and final degree he becomes a Master Mason and is then eligible to become a Shriner.

What is the luckiest number in the world? ›

Perhaps part of the answer lies in a seminal paper published in 1956 by the psychologist George A Miller called “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two”. Miller claims that it is more than just coincidence that the number 7 seems to be all around us.

Which house number is lucky? ›

For residential properties like houses, numerals like 3, 6, 8, 9, 11 and house number 38 are all regarded as lucky or good house numbers in numerology.

What color floors never go out of style? ›

Neutral shades such as light brown, gray, and black are timeless classics that will look good for years to come.

What does F mean on a floor plan? ›

F or FURN – Furnace. FPL – Fireplace. KIT – Kitchen. KS – Knee Space. LN – Linen Closet.

What does P mean on a floor plan? ›

Commonly Used Abbreviations

Here are a few common ones you'll encounter: W.I.C. – Walk in Closet. W/D – Washer and Dryer (if shown together as with the floor plan above, that indicated the appliances are stacked) P. – Pantry.

What color floor feng shui? ›

Feng Shui Flooring — Colour Guide
ElementColours
WoodBrown and Green
EarthLight Brown, Light Yellow, and Sandy/Earthy Undertones
MetalGrey and White
FirePink, Red, Orange, Dark Yellow, and Purple
1 more row
Jan 7, 2023

What is darkness spiritually? ›

In the experience of religion and the church, darkness, the opposite of light, has come to mean all that separates us from God, because God is light. Light is the symbol of salvation, spiritual growth and discernment. But it can only be understood and appreciated when we contrast and compare it to the darkness.

What does it mean to see life in black and white? ›

to have a simple view of what is right and wrong, or good and bad. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Naive & trusting.

What does black and white mean in a person? ›

of, relating to, or constituting a two-valued system, as of logic or morality; absolute: To those who think in black-and-white terms, a person must be either entirely good or entirely bad.

Why were checkered floors popular? ›

According to Kate, another reason why checkered floors are becoming so popular is their ability to provide the illusion of space. "The symmetrical and diagonal lines draw the eye to give the impression of lengthening or widening a room."

What is the meaning of checkerboard pattern? ›

Black and white patterns such as stripes and checkerboards represent duality and balance, and have been linked to use in ritualistic ceremonies by the Illuminati. Conspiracy theories also suggest that such duality patterns, like mixed check or spirals, can be used as triggers for mind control.

What is checkerboard floor by the hip about? ›

The Horseshoe Tavern was a favourite for the Tragically Hip, and they even paid homage to it in popular Canadian classic Bobcaygeon. The lyric “That night in Toronto, with its checkerboard floors” refers to the iconic black-and-white squares underfoot that the Shoe (as it is affectionately called) was famous for.

Where did black and white floors come from? ›

Stone and Marble have been used to create beautifully patterned floors for thousands of years. However, it was the ancient Greeks' love of white Carrara marble that made black and white patterns popular throughout the Greek and Roman Empires.

Are checkerboard floors outdated? ›

Checkered floors are a timeless and classic design element that will never go out of style. There have been periods of popularity over the years, and we are experiencing one of those periods. Checkered floors can be done in many different ways, from bold and large scale to subtle and small.

What is the checkerboard problem? ›

(A) The mutilated checkerboard problem, where the task is to check whether one can cover the remaining 62 squares (after removing two) with 31 dominoes, if one domino always covers two squares. It is impossible to cover all the squares, since one domino would always cover one black and one white square.

What is the weird checkered pattern called? ›

The classic houndstooth pattern is an example of a tessellation. It is a duotone textile pattern characterized by broken checks or abstract four-pointed shapes, traditionally in black and white or such contrasting dark and light pattern, although other colour combinations are also often applied.

What style is checkered flooring? ›

Caption Options. The checkerboard pattern is a particularly prominent feature of French country interiors; here at Mimi Thorisson's country house in Burgundy the kitchen features an expanse of red and white tiles.

How much does it cost to get a checkered floor? ›

ESTIMATED COST: $1.00 – 3.00 per square foot. GET LUCKY: Daniel & Mercedes' loft had its original checkerboard floor when they moved into the former Federal Reserve building in Los Angeles.

When was black and white checkered flooring popular? ›

monarchs would influence flooring designs in more common settings. would enjoy a resurgence in the 1920s; many American homes from this period feature blackand-white checkerboard patterns, often in the kitchen area.

What is a Masonic floor? ›

Alternating squares of white and black. traditionally form the symbolic floor of. every Masonic Lodge. This Mosaic Pavement. is among the most important and fundamental.

What were floors made of in the 1950s? ›

In addition to linoleum, wood floors were also incredibly popular in the 1950s. And, if you're currently renovating a 1950s home, you'll also know (thanks to lots of blood, sweat, and tears) that they were likely also covered up with carpet or other flooring materials in the intervening years.

What were floors made of in the 1960s? ›

1960's Flooring

Wooden floors in the 60s were often painted over in bold colours and strong varnishes to look as contemporary as possible. Vinyl flooring and LVT was also very popular for many homeowners in the 1960s as it was and still is a low-maintenance flooring choice.

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