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How To Master Classic Style And Give Your Home A Timeless Appeal

October 8, 2024

What is Classic Style? Before we unpack what it is... let’s first tackle what it isn’t, head on. And what it’s not is “Old Fashioned”, “Outdated” or “Uncool”. (In fact, it may very well be the coolest look in school.) Classic Style is timeless. It is a look that can be pulled off with aplomb in any time period. Because of its “good bones”, it remains relevant to every generation and stands strong and invincible in the face of the trend headwinds.   

 

The aesthetic has its roots in the flawless symmetry, harmony and balance of the glory days of Greece and Rome (think colonnades, arches, pillars, cornices, statues, marble everything). Classic Style also embraces elements of traditional 18th Century Style (with its adoration of opulence, priceless artworks, mirrors, glittering chandeliers, painted silk and gilding), and hints of the 19th Century (which was drenched in rich fabrics, adorned with tassels, draped in magnificent curtaining, with gleaming wood, lacquered furniture, plush carpets, lamps and patterned wallpaper). You’ll also find elements that hark back to the stately Regency period and glamorous Art Deco era. 

 

21st Century Classic Style continues to espouse the pleasing symmetry and careful organisation of Greco-Roman design traditions. It is thoughtfully executed, and carefully curated, but never a museum exhibit. Far from it. Classic Style should be a living, breathing evocation of one’s personal taste and personality.  

 

Of course, personal taste can translate Classic Style into a more relaxed design language, or a more formal interpretation. Either way, at Italtile, we believe Classic Style in the 21st Century should always be gracious, comfortable, warm and welcoming. Classic Style, when approached with love and deep understanding of its values, shapes and forms, can be interpreted with contemporary twists and modern takes to keep it relevant.  

 

Having said that, there are certain guiding principles. Superb manufacturing. Build quality. High design. Solid craftsmanship. The very finest materials. Impeccable finish and detail. You’ll find that Italtile’s signature style ticks all these boxes, because to us, there are no short cuts to quality. It is an investment style, which should offer lasting value and ROI. The tiles, taps, sanware, bathroom furniture and accessories you invest in at Italtile are built to last, backed by ironclad guarantees. 

 

What is the Classic room layout? Interior Design specialist and CEO of Chapters Design, Melanie Ewing (who guides and trains our sales consultants), will tell you that the watchword for a Classic room layout is symmetry, to create harmony. Classic style is calm, ordered, luxe, with no room for chaos or clutter. A classic interior is coherent and often has a leading motif, for example the same pattern on curtains and cushions. Furniture usually forms a set or is in the same or similar shade of wood, or upholstery fabric. Maintaining an even division is a priority when planning the space of traditional living areas, but also in the symmetrical arrangement of furniture. Armchairs are placed in pairs, for example, on both sides of the coffee table, and dressers or consoles on both sides of the fireplace. Similarly situated are lamps, sconces, candlesticks, and paintings, which are symmetrically placed on sideboards or near mirrors. 

 

How to create the Classic colour palette. Look at assimilating a blend of soft neutrals. Play with the contrast of black and white. Introduce richly grained wood looks. Layer in the textural elements that add depth. Create your base canvas from Italtile’s lush marble-look porcelain tiles, our superb wood-look porcelain tiles, top-tier wood-look vinyl floor tiles and our beautifully varianced stone-look porcelain tile ranges 

 

Once you’ve selected your base, start adding layers of tone, muted colour and texture from our ranges of exquisite décor wall tiles, our patterned tile ranges and marvellous mosaic tiles. You might want to add classic checks, florals and stripes as complementary accents in your soft furnishings. Then complete the look with accents of gold and silver.  

 

Classic finishes. The key is quality, not quantity. Antique or traditional pieces, Persian rugs or heritage carpets, vases of fresh flowers, curtaining, velvet fabrics, elegant drapes, beautifully framed wall art, books and bookcases, strategically placed sculpture, oversized armchairs and curved, comfortable couches, candlesticks, elegantly painted walls in soft neutral colours, columns, arches, double volume ceilings, architectural mouldings, statement fireplaces, large mirrors, ornaments and framed family photographs in meaningful clusters, polished silverware, chandeliers and table lamps.  

 

Put your classic space together with Italtile’s style. Italtile’s signature eco-chic style is elegant and timeless; and with the help of our design-certified sales consultants, assemble the elements that harmonise to create that classic balance and a sense of sophistication that never dates. Don’t rush the process. You’re investing in top-tier quality, with products designed to last a lifetime. Respect the process and allow as much time as you need to make a wish list, before your final shortlist. Take advantage of our free digital interior design tools, as well: our uView, or our Visualiser. We also offer a sample service. Ask us about our experienced Professional Residential Agents: specialists who’ll hold your hand throughout your classic interior project, offering a free end-to-end interior design service.  

 

 Here are some thought-starters from the pages of Italtile’s Classic Look Book to fuel your imagination and build your Classic Mood Boards. Local and imported loveliness, all highly distinctive, sustainably made, exclusive to Italtile, and carrying our coveted LiveGreen label. 

 

Italtile’s Classic Look Book. 

Marble looks: Large format 900x1800mm Mystic Pearl by Sant’Agostino with its astonishing Krystal polish, from our Signature Collection.  

 

Wood looks: The Moda Vinile wood-look vinyl flooring range is durable, comfortable underfoot, waterproof, available in a wide range of colours, from slender, pale Moda Vinile Hestia 1200x183x5mm to honeyed Moda Vinile Marrone 1240x182x5mm and rich Moda Vinile Monach 1240x182x5mm. Blaze Haya Matt Glazed Porcelain Tile 300x1500mm, a lush wood-look tile made in Spain, offering outstanding value for money. 

 

Stone looks: Bergstone Sand Rectified Matt Glazed Porcelain Tile 1200x1200mm by Sant’Agostino in Light, Grey, Sand and Black, from our Signature Collection. 

 

Patterned tiles: Leeds Blue Matt Glazed Porcelain Tile 450x450mm. 

 

Mosaics: Balmoral Polished Marble Mosaic 257x279 with its geometric grey and white natural marble pattern. Large Black Hexagonal Mosaic with White Inset Matt Porcelain Mosaic 300x300mm. 

 

Bathroom inspo: The luxurious Lussari freestanding and fixed bath range by Victoria and Albert. The Verona Tape Range in matt gold with its indefinable Italian charm and exquisite knurled detail. Modern classics. Dominus Heritage Bathroom Accessories in brushed brass offer the romance of a bygone era. Also available in white, chrome and copper.  

 

 

Kitchen inspo: Our Shaker Sinks by Shaws of Darwen. Handmade, bearing the stamp of the artisan, created for life. Tivoli Roma Pillar Style Sink Mixer or Wall Mixer (brushed bronze). Also available in a cold water only model for the prep bowl. Don’t forget our deeply nostalgic Subway Tiles and Mini Subway Mosaic Tiles. 

 

 

Just Ask. Now that you have gained a better understanding of the nuances of Classic Style, and how it can bend and shape itself around your personal taste and the treasures you’ve collected over the years, you can make a more informed decision when planning your Classic Reno. If you dream of elegant spaces adorned in a timeless and elegant style, speak to one of our design-certified sales consultants. The best part of our day is assisting you with your selection of signature Italtile style. We can’t wait to help you transform your space into the ultimate Classic Home with timeless appeal and everlasting loveliness.  

Live Beautifully. 

Ciao.