Have you looked at Marmoleum? They have a "click" product that has squares like you are showing, in different colors you can mix and match.

I used their sheet products in my kitchen and 2 baths. It's a natural product ... the guy who installed mine said he ahd never installed the product in a residence before, he usually installs it in schools, and it lasts 30 years in schools.

Here is a link that might be useful: Marmoleum Click

It seems to me that you like checkered floors and need someone to reassure you that it looks good.
Go with the checkered floor.
I think it is a wonderful look..

Why NOT the black/white tile? I debated on using it in the kitchen, but put in in the foyer instead. I used creama marfil/black absolute, so not really a white-white, and it looks beautiful~I had seen it in a model home.

The rest of my downstairs is a dark wood flooring, with two different kitchen cabinet colors~one is dark wood(cherry/walnut stain)and the other is an ivory glazed. I was also going for more of an 'old' look, so didn't want to use a tile unless it was the black/white. It's a new house but I was going for the look of an older home.

Are you having all doors/trim stained? As much as I wanted it, the price was outrageous. I decided rather than the standard white trim, I would use a tan color about 4 shades darker than the walls~i've had nothing but compliments, and how cozy it makes the house. I may eventually change out the doors to stained.

Use the flooring your heart is telling you to use. You won't regret it. ;o)

Marmoleum has feature borders that you can order in the colors of your flooring. Your inspiration photo could be easily replicated. Search Forbo marmoleum. It's very reasonable @ $32. per sq. *yard* and just feels yummy!

Forbo has so many series that the search can get confusing. We chose the DutchDesign series but I loved the global one series too. Some of it is very hospital so keep looking. They have some great vintage designs that are awesome but most of their photos look very modern. Don't be intimidated.

We were supposed to get our marmoleum installed today but we got cancelled until Monday due to a bad back. (sigh)

From someone who doesn't think anything can be over the top, go for the gusto! I love b&w tile, especially when they are slick and glossy.

Love the checkered floor--But I would go with a larger tile maybe even 12x12 or larger (depending on the size of your kitchen). Smaller tiles = more busy look & more grout lines to deal with. JMO.

I don't think painted wood floor would be durable in a kitchen.

I look at your choices on the link. The vibe you are looking for is more vintage classic look so have you considered a checkered board of honed white carerra & black marble? maybe with a perimeter trim of mosaic design?

Just a thought.

Thanks everyone. I looked at Marmoleum and really like it, but liked this unglazed porcelain better.

Bellaflora: At first I thought I'd use tumbled white marble and honed black granite but I'm just not a good enough housekeeper to deal with the maintenance. It would look gorgeous tho. I agree that the less grout lines the better, but the kitchen is small and I think the smaller tiles gives it a more vintage feel.

Thank you everyone for restoring my confidence!!!

I'm doing a checkerboard floor. This is what I'm going with, Caboose and Roasted Marshmellow. I think this company has to be one of THE best out there. A floor store will order it for you if they don't carry it. The company will also send you free samples to look at! They offer more styles and patterns on the left of the site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tile

There have been numerous loooong discussions about floors, but might I suggest a checkerboard in more of a tan and a taupe or something similar to that? If you email me using my login/signin name at gmail I can email photos of my own floor. Doing a checkerboard in two colors which are not as dissimilar as black and white helps tremendously with the dirt factor-- on a black and white, it will look very dirty -- dark dirt shows on the lighter squares and light dirt shows on the darker squares. I ended up with the PERFECT floor: looks fantastic and clean even when filthy, shows no dirt even from high-traffic kids and dogs and mud, looks classic with arts and crafts yet up=to=date as well. I have posted pics here before but don;t have time to figure out how right this sec! Mine has been copied by several friends. I chose trafficmaster solid vinyl tile which does not look at all like other vinyl. It feels soft and warm, is very economical, and foes very well with wood. there are other similar products which would give you the same feel and look. Each of my tiles is mottled and no two are exactly alike-- very custom look for a low cost!

Cheril

Love following your posts -

I too orig thought I was going w/Checkerboard & white cabs (but dh who really said very little in whole house reno) was adamant about no ckerbrd

I posted a site below - Restoration tile - great company & great owner to work with - they do beautiful work and have beautiful tile - maybe you'll get some inspiration there

Have you ck'd books/mags out for turn of century look? how about "this old house" or the old house forum on GW

google images
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=turn+of+century+kitchens&start=20&sa=N&ndsp=20

http://images.google.com/images?q=early+1900%27s+kitchen&gbv=2&hl=en&sa=2

Keep hunting until your choice speaks volumes -then bring it in the space & live with it before you decide

good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: restoration tile

Hi Cheril!

These are stone planks. These will lighten up the space and the pattern has a formal vibe. Also, the grout lines are tight.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stone Planking

WAIT! STOP!

Do NOT put down a black-and-white tile floor unless you have a full-time housekeeper who can keep it clean. Or, more specifically, the white tiles.

Once upon a time, I had a B&W tile floor. I loved it... for about ten minutes. Then it was dirty. It was always dirty, no matter how many times I cleaned it. Drop one tiny crumb of anything on one of those white tiles, it will show.

I finally tiled over my B&W floor. What a huge relief.

I have B & W vinyl tile by Armstrong (12 X 12 in my 8 X 16 kitchen, so not an awful lot of floor space). It's not pure white or pure black - it has little flecks in it, but the floor "reads" as black & white.

My experience is directly opposite mclarke's.

I'm not the world's best housekeeper and I love my floor. I find that the little crumbs don't show up and all I need to do is damp mop it a couple of times a week (unless there's a major spill LOL).

Talia
COOL FLOORING!!!!!

talia: Wow -- I'm in love :-)

Talia, the floors on that website are gorgeous! Could be a real option.

Thank you everyone for all of the input...wow so many things I hadn't thought of. As much as I love the checkerboard, I'm beginning to see that it may be busier than I want. I really want the wood of the cabinets to shine more than anything in this kitchen and a white and black floor may end up being a distraction. I can still install the tile in the adjacent mudroom.

While having a glass of wine with a friend, I thought that maybe wood could work if I installed natural white oak in the DR and kitchen and added a dark inlaid border in both rooms...just enough to break it up a bit and dress it up so it doesn't look arts and crafts. What do you think?

Wood in the kitchen will be great for your feet & legs. It is soft, unlike tile. If you're really going to use the kitchen for cooking, you'll be happy w/ wood.

I have wood in my kitchen and love it. Easy to clean too.

I have to say that the devil is in the details and there is a big different to me, in terms of the finished look, between what you've posted as inspiration and the tiles you're showing as what you might use. The first ones are old school original beauties and the second b&w are painted wood...and they both look it vs. cheapie looking black and white tiles SORRY :( that look a little clownish and diner to me...I DO appreciate the look you're going for though...I just don't love the tiles you picked...and think maybe you should keep looking for materials...

I kinda like the funky ones you posted the best...

Well, I do like the diagonal checkerboard but just not in the black and white - seems to have too much contrast. What about a cream and brown checkerboard similar to your first inspiration picture? It would pick up and blend with your cabinet color and not stand out as much as black & white.

Just another thought, have you considered Amtico? I know "vinyl" is not considered chic but Amtico is a very high end commercial version. I had Amtico wood look floors installed in a previous house and they were very practical and a great resemblance to real wood. They have many different patterns including stone looks, wood, etc. If you are interested, do a search for Amtico on the Flooring forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amtico's website

Cheri,
I am just reading your post for the first time tonight....
I am glad you are considering wood flooring for your kitchen! After looking at your pictures - I can see that you are going for a very "high end, authentic" look. I think checkerboard tile would be a mistake and not in keeping with the great details that you already have, so carefully selected. I would do the wood floor stained medium to darker brown and use a rug to achieve the look you are going for. Your style seems very classic, simple and elegant and authentic. I have a great picture of a rug that could give you the look, but I don't know how to post pictures in this forum. I have just started posting tonight for the first time. Keep focusing and best of luck to you.... Your choices so far are very nice.