Posted by Victoria Fouche on 23rd May 2025
Timeless Chessboard: Our Top 10 Most Popular Checkerboard Combinations at Portland Direct Tile & Marble!
Timeless Chessboard: Our Top 10 Most Popular Checkerboard Combinations at Portland Direct Tile & Marble!
Few patterns possess the power to transform a space with such immediate and enduring impact as the checkerboard. From grand European palaces to charming vintage kitchens, this iconic design transcends trends, offering a blend of sophisticated geometry and playful charm.
Why is the checkerboard a perpetual favorite?
- Striking Visual Impact: The alternating colors create an immediate focal point, adding depth, dimension, and a sense of dynamic movement to any floor or wall.
- Historical Elegance, Modern Edge: It's a pattern steeped in history, yet it adapts effortlessly to contemporary aesthetics, proving its remarkable versatility.
- Versatile Design Foundation: A checkerboard floor can serve as a strong, eye-catching foundation that beautifully complements a wide range of interior styles, from minimalist to maximalist.
- Defines Space: In open-concept areas, a checkerboard pattern can subtly define zones without the need for physical barriers.
We take pride in offering a vast selection of high-quality tiles that can be combined to create these stunning patterns. Here are the checkerboard combinations that our customers are consistently choosing, available in stock at Portland Direct Tile & Marble:
Our Top 10 Popular Checkerboard Combinations:
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Italian Carrara Honed & Nero Marquina Honed (12"x12" or 18"x18")
- Why it's popular: This is the quintessential black and white marble checkerboard. The crisp white of Italian Carrara with its subtle gray veining perfectly contrasts the deep, dramatic black of Nero Marquina, both in a refined honed finish. It's the epitome of classic luxury.
- [Link to Italian Carrara Honed & Nero Marquina Honed Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Bianco Dolomite Polished & Bardiglio Nuvolato Polished (18"x18")
- Why it's popular: A slightly softer take on the classic black and white, Bianco Dolomite offers a very pure white with delicate veining, while Bardiglio Nuvolato presents a beautiful medium-gray with swirling patterns. Both polished, they create a highly reflective and elegant surface.
- [Link to Bianco Dolomite Polished & Bardiglio Nuvolato Polished Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Italian Carrara Tumbled & Nero Marquina Tumbled (12"x12")
- Why it's popular: For a more rustic, Old-World charm, the tumbled finish softens the edges and mutes the shine of the classic black and white marble. This gives an aged, inviting look perfect for traditional or Mediterranean-inspired spaces.
- [Link to Italian Carrara Tumbled & Nero Marquina Tumbled Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Thassos Honed & Crema Marfil Honed (18"x18")
- Why it's popular: Moving away from black and white, this combination offers a warm, inviting palette. Thassos provides a brilliant, pure white, while Crema Marfil offers a warm, creamy beige. Both honed, they create a soft, sophisticated checkerboard that brightens a space.
- [Link to Thassos Honed & Crema Marfil Honed Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Bardiglio Imperiale Honed & Ocean White Honed (18"x18")
- Why it's popular: This pairing creates a sophisticated gray and off-white checkerboard. The deep, rich gray of Bardiglio Imperiale contrasts beautifully with the soft, muted white of Ocean White, both in a contemporary honed finish.
- [Link to Bardiglio Imperiale Honed & Ocean White Honed Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Calacatta Gold Honed & Nero Marquina Honed (12"x12" or 18"x18")
- Why it's popular: For a touch of understated opulence, this combination pairs the luxurious white and gold-veined Calacatta Gold with the dramatic black of Nero Marquina. The honed finish keeps it refined while allowing the rich marbles to shine.
- [Link to Calacatta Gold Honed & Nero Marquina Honed Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Empress Green Polished & Ming Green Polished (12"x12")
- Why it's popular: A unique and vibrant choice, this green-on-green marble checkerboard adds a historical and grand feel. The deep, rich Empress Green alongside the lighter, often variegated Ming Green creates a distinctive pattern.
- [Link to Empress Green Polished & Ming Green Polished Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Italian Calacatta Polished & Nero Marquina Polished (18"x18")
- Why it's popular: For ultimate drama and reflectivity, this polished version of the classic white and black features the bold, striking veining of Calacatta with the intense shine of Nero Marquina, creating a truly opulent statement.
- [Link to Italian Calacatta Polished & Nero Marquina Polished Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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Carrara White Polished & Nero Marquina Polished (12"x12")
- Why it's popular: A timeless and highly popular pairing. The clean white of Carrara with its subtle gray veining is contrasted with the deep black of Nero Marquina, both with a high-gloss finish that adds light and sophistication.
- [Link to Carrara White Polished & Nero Marquina Polished Checkerboard on PDTM.com]
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(Placeholder for a versatile Ceramic/Porcelain Checkerboard Option)
- Why it's popular: While marble dominates the luxury checkerboard, a high-quality porcelain or ceramic option in a classic black and white or a more subtle gray and white can be incredibly popular for its durability, lower maintenance, and wider application range. Consider a readily available 12x12 or 18x18 porcelain in a strong contrast.
- [Link to a popular ceramic/porcelain checkerboard option on PDTM.com]
Find Your Perfect Checkerboard at Portland Direct Tile & Marble!
The enduring appeal of the checkerboard pattern lies in its ability to bring a sense of history, order, and striking beauty to any environment. With our wide array of in-stock natural stone and tile options, including these popular combinations, you can create a truly magnificent floor or wall that will captivate for years to come.
As Oregon's largest tile and stone importer, Portland Direct Tile & Marble boasts an unparalleled inventory of high-quality materials.
Ready to infuse your space with the timeless elegance of a checkerboard pattern?
- Explore our full range of Checkerboard Marble Tiles online:
Checkerboard Marble Tiles Collection
Visit our showroom at Portland Direct Tile & Marble today! With Oregon's largest in-stock selection, you're sure to find the perfect checkerboard combination to create a truly extraordinary design.