Checkered Terrace, Oakland

Outside this white stucco home in Oakland, a terrace opens off a row of French doors toward the treetops. The floor is ARTO's handcrafted Artillo 12x12 concrete tile in two colors, Charley Brown and Bone, laid on the diagonal in a classic checkerboard. The darker squares have a soft, dusky tone and the Bone squares a warm off-white, and both show the gentle clouding of hand-poured concrete. Wrought iron chairs, potted succulents and a small olive tree sit easily on the pattern, which gives the outdoor room a relaxed, old-world feel while keeping it crisp and bright.