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01 Modern
Classical

Modern Classical is evolving from elegant, warm and whimsical forms. The design extends its timeless elegance through functional simplicity and purposeful layouts, balancing classic European symmetry with more approachable detailing.

Download the full Design Handbook for a more in depth look at design themes, inspiration, floorplans, landscaping and more.

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook

Grand, approachable & harmonious

Featuring softer curves and expanding indoor-outdoor flow to create more harmonious spaces that foster both shared connections and personal solace for multigenerational living.

Contents:

  • Lifestyle themes NEW
  • Floorplan NEW
  • Design features
  • Cladding solutions
  • Colour palette
  • Style variations
  • Materials & textures
  • Landscaping NEW
  • Styling
MC Design Handbook Contents (1)
MC Design Handbook Contents (1)

Lifestyle themes

Guided by grand yet approachable, harmonious ways of living, the Modern Classical home responds to the evolving needs and aspirations of contemporary life, supporting multigenerational connection, graceful independence and adaptable, elevated daily living through structured softness and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

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Evolved Living

Modern Classical delivers enduring value through purposeful simplicity and serene materiality. It balances timeless form with contemporary function, offering homes that feel elevated yet approachable—ready to adapt across life stages.

Creative Living

This style reinterprets European grandeur with sculptural restraint and biophilic grace. Through gentle curves, botanical accents and tactile finishes, it invites emotional ease and quiet self-expression.

Multigenerational Living

Modern Classical blends structured elegance with fluid accessibility. Its intuitive layouts, softened transitions and integrated outdoor zones foster togetherness while respecting individual rhythms.

Autonomous Living

Autonomous Living defines Modern Classical as resilient, self-assured and elegantly efficient. Structured forms are supported by passive design, durable materials and considered planning, enabling homes to perform with minimal intervention. This approach supports comfort, ease of maintenance and long-term adaptability, offering calm stability amid shifting environmental and economic conditions.
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For additional insights in to the lifestyle shifts shaping Modern Classical homes today, Download the full Design Handbook to gain expert insight from Jenny Li of WGSN.

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook

Design features

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1 Structured softness

A balance of straight-edged facades and soft curves creates a refined silhouette. Flat roofs and boxed forms are softened by arched openings and rounded transitions, blending classical elegance with modern restraint.
Design Features - Barn (1)

2 Neutral colours

A palette of muted creams, botanic greens and grounding earth tones creates a warm, resort-like atmosphere. Two-tone schemes enhance the calm, timeless appeal.
Image Ratios (2)

3 Contemporary archways

Curved doorways and arched windows in black steel add sculptural interest to textured exterior walls. These elements reimagine classical forms with a minimalist, contemporary edge.
Design Features - Barn (1) 1

4 Integrated biophilia

Potted plants, hedging, and green walls are thoughtfully integrated into terraces, patios and balconies. These elements help enhance wellbeing and connect the home to its surroundings.

Cladding solutions

Modern Classical supports layered cladding treatments to create elegant, textured facades with refined vertical precision.

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Colour palette

The colour palette embraces muted creams, botanic greens and grounded earth tones to create a warm, resort-like atmosphere. These considered neutrals soften structured forms and highlight Modern Classical symmetry, allowing light, texture and gentle curves to take centre stage.

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Want to understand how colour shapes the Modern Classical aesthetic? Download the Design Handbook for insight into the colour palette from Jenny Li of WGSN.

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook

Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Roof
Main Walls
Trims
Front Door

Colorbond® steel Surfmist®

Dulux® Stowe White
Wattyl® Cotton Grey
Taubmans® White Smoke

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Brushed Bronze

Dulux® Stowe White
Wattyl® Cotton Grey
Taubmans® White Smoke

Colorbond® steel Monument®

Dulux® Namadji®
Wattyl® Black Martini
Taubmans® Tornado

Dulux® Tranquil Retreat
Wattyl® Grey Pearl
Taubmans® News Print

Dulux® Namadji®
Wattyl® Black Martini
Taubmans® Tornado

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Natural Timber

Colorbond® steel Classic Cream™

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Porters Paints
Base in Himalayan Salt +
French Wash in Darjeeling

Dulux® Bread Crumb
Wattyl® Fayzies Fawn
Taubmans® Bleached Leather

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RMS Traders Gaia Stone Wall Cladding

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Brushed Bronze

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Natural Timber

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Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Roof
Main Walls
Trims
Front Door

Colorbond® steel Surfmist®

Dulux® Stowe White
Wattyl® Cotton Grey
Taubmans® White Smoke

8bd6612ed3d0705a042d9a789c5b9d5030492049 (1)

Brushed Bronze

Dulux® Stowe White
Wattyl® Cotton Grey
Taubmans® White Smoke

Colorbond® steel Monument®

Dulux® Namadji®
Wattyl® Black Martini
Taubmans® Tornado

Dulux® Tranquil Retreat
Wattyl® Grey Pearl
Taubmans® News Print

Dulux® Namadji®
Wattyl® Black Martini
Taubmans® Tornado

150ff25f304c17ca80b04a1e6f95bb2cb3cdcb41 (1)

Natural Timber

Colorbond® steel Classic Cream™

aa97ab709b4c587730934b069111e6b794113c64

Porters Paints
Base in Himalayan Salt +
French Wash in Darjeeling

Dulux® Bread Crumb
Wattyl® Fayzies Fawn
Taubmans® Bleached Leather

1e769a11fe493ee795939370ccbaf2462661a8d4

RMS Traders Gaia Stone Wall Cladding

8bd6612ed3d0705a042d9a789c5b9d5030492049 (2) (1)

Brushed Bronze

150ff25f304c17ca80b04a1e6f95bb2cb3cdcb41 (2) (1)

Natural Timber

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Want to understand how colour shapes the Modern Classical aesthetic? Download the Design Handbook for insight into the colour palette from Jenny Li of WGSN.

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook

Style variations

While structured symmetry and softened arches anchor Modern Classical, variations respond to lifestyle, site conditions and climate. Material palettes, openings and detailing evolve to suit context, enabling elegant yet practical homes that balance grandeur, comfort, performance and long-term adaptability.

MC Design Handbook Barn Variations 1 1

Modern Classical Duplex

MC Design Handbook Barn Variations 2 1

Mediterranean Modern Classical

MC Design Handbook Barn Variations 3

Contemporary Provincial

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook

Get the Look

Materials & textures

Modern Classical materials balance structured elegance with tactile warmth. Calming neutrals and botanic greens ground the palette, while timber, stone and softly ribbed finishes introduce depth and refinement. Fluted panels, brushed textures and gentle undulations add quiet dimension, creating interiors that feel elevated, harmonious and enduringly welcoming.

MC Design Handbook Materials and Textures
Editor Avatar

Hear directly from VOGUE Living Editor Rebecca Caratti on material choices. Download the full Design Handbook for exclusive insights.

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook
Small Image1
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Exterior

  • 1

    Papillion tumbled cobblestones, RMS Traders

  • 2

    London Grey Brushed Limestone Pavers, RMS Traders

  • 3

    Peacock Pearl Blend Pool Tile Glass Mosaic,
    The Pool Tile Company

  • 4

    PVC Decking, Vintage Collection®, Weathered Teak, TimberTech®

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Flooring

  • 5

    Natural Stone Rocca Bianca Tile, Artedomus

  • 6

    Polarity Terrazzo Tile, Fibonacci

  • 7

    Como French Chateau Floorboards, Kustom Timber

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Walls / Windows

  • 8

    Brushed Bronze window trim

  • 9

    French Green Interior Wall Paint, Porter's Paints

  • 10

    Flannel Flower Interior Wall Paint, Bauwerk Colour

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Cabinetry

  • 11

    Maximum Michelangelo Benchtop, Atredomus

  • 12

    Fiandre Urban White Porcelain Benchtop, Atredomus

  • 13

    Laminex Otway, Flint, Laminex

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Tiles

  • 14

    Artessarae Elba Flute, Artedomus

  • 15

    Noosa Semi Gloss Zellige, Bone, Tilecloud

  • 16

    Sydney Matte, White Stone Look, Tilecloud

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Textiles

  • 17

    Wappo Linen Curtain, James Dunlop Textiles

  • 18

    Linia Theodora Upholstery, Warwick

  • 19

    Cobbybob organic Linen, James Dunlop Textiles

Get the Look

Materials & textures

Modern Classical materials balance structured elegance with tactile warmth. Calming neutrals and botanic greens ground the palette, while timber, stone and softly ribbed finishes introduce depth and refinement. Fluted panels, brushed textures and gentle undulations add quiet dimension, creating interiors that feel elevated, harmonious and enduringly welcoming.

MC Design Handbook Materials and Textures
Small Image1
Small Image2
Small Image3
Small Image4

Exterior

  • 1

    Papillion tumbled cobblestones, RMS Traders

  • 2

    London Grey Brushed Limestone Pavers, RMS Traders

  • 3

    Peacock Pearl Blend Pool Tile Glass Mosaic,
    The Pool Tile Company

  • 4

    PVC Decking, Vintage Collection®, Weathered Teak, TimberTech®

Editor Avatar

Hear directly from VOGUE Living Editor Rebecca Caratti on material choices. Download the full Design Handbook for exclusive insights.

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook

Landscaping

Landscaping extends the layered character of Modern Classical homes, blending preserved garden elements with contemporary planting, textured pathways and sheltered courtyards. Outdoor rooms foster privacy and connection, unfolding as restorative retreats that honour history while embracing seasonal change and modern family life.

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Find a detailed, climate specific planting list in the full Design Handbook, with expert insight from Matt Leacy, Director of Landart.

Download the full Modern Classical Design Handbook
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