Must the Entire Kitchen Look Like a Chess Board?

Look, there's nothing wrong with vinyl flooring on the kitchen or bathroom. In fact this chess board effect is a staple of one of D.C.'s most notable live music venues and it looks just fine. However, there is a point where the checkered patterning starts to look like an eyesore and that point is taking the design and putting it on the backsplash. Oww. Rent for this 800 square foot apartment is $1250 a month, but it might be worth asking the landlord whether they're opposed to a little kitchen remodeling.
· $1250 / 1br - 800ft² - A sweet pad to call home (H Street/Gallaudet) [Craigslist]