Checkerboard tiles have been a classic design choice for centuries and now the world’s most influential designers like Kelly Wearstler are revisiting the retro-inspired design feature in a big way.

Checkerboard flooring in various formats and colour combinations have been infiltrating our Pinterest feeds and design blogs since the global pandemic began and has found its way into dining rooms, laundries and studies.

Famed US interior designer Leanne Ford recently painted uninspiring pine floors in a two-tone checkerboard pattern in a mud room for an episode her top-rating TV series, Home Again with the Fords, while the formidable Wearstler used checkerboard throughout the new Downtown LA Proper Hotel.

Whether it is a subtle, neutral tone-on-tone pattern or a bold combination of brighter colours, checkerboard floors, bench tops and splash backs amp up the feel-good factor in a space whilst oozing timeless appeal.

TBR worked closely with Peppa Hart’s Sophie Bell on our new Bambino Checker tiles - a blush and burgundy Spanish tile combination for her kids’ cubby space, which put a fun and playful spin on the classic trend.

“Inside I wanted to have some fun so it wasn’t all white,” Sophie tells TBR. “It’s no secret how much I love all things checker so it had to feature in the space.“
"The tiles are incredible; the organic edge is so on brief with the space feeling old and imperfect.”