Jessica Alba's home may be one of the most luxurious in Los Angeles, but its interior roots lie just across the Atlantic, on the Mediterranean coast.
The actress is bringing back the classic majolica-style aesthetic to her kitchen nook with blue and white tiles. According to experts, this is a classic color combination that has the power to survive temporary design trends.
“Blue and white is a classic kitchen tile combination. Add the sophistication and timeless charm of antique hand-painted majolica tiles and you instantly get the Mediterranean feel made famous by fincas and palacios centuries ago. will be recreated in 2020,” said Gratsey Wilson, Ca Pietra’s head of creative.
“This style is a look that instantly takes you on vacation while offering a refreshingly cool space that never goes out of style, as it's a pattern and style that's been around since before we were born.” ”
Majolica is traditionally a tin-glazed pottery decorated with color (in Jessica's case, blue) on a white background. The most famous example of majolica design is known as “Istriato wear” (meaning “painted in stories”), which originated in Italy during the Renaissance. This style later made its way to the United States (via other parts of Europe) and is now associated with tile, along with beautiful pottery.
With such a rich history, it might seem creepy to call majolica a “tile trend.” But it capitalizes on the increasingly popular escapism movement, bringing beautiful elements of faraway coasts into our homes.
“We're seeing an increasing number of designs trending from 'global travelers' who bring faraway shores into their homes,” Grazzi comments. “There's no particular country at the top of the list, so it feels more free-spirited. These tiles are one of his ways of bringing distant coasts into his own home.”
Grazzie Wilson is the Head of Creative at Ca'Pietra, a UK-based luxury stone and tile brand.
While Jessica brought these tiles to life in her kitchen, Grazzi explains that the “world traveler” look is just as impactful in the bathroom. She could try tile on the walls, but she explains that the floor should be the focal point.
“Although the bathroom walls will definitely be included in this piece, the focal point is the bathroom floor, where you can literally step into Andalusia, Cuba, Morocco, or wherever your imagination feels happiest.” as in, grounding the space with a sense of another place.”
We found some Jessica-inspired tiles that are the perfect starting point. This look has been memorable since the Renaissance, so of course it's a safe investment.
Monteca Blue 10″ x 10 Affinity Tile Sample
Starting at $2.99 at Lowe's
Made in Spain, this tile brings authentic Southern European beauty to any style of home. It looks beautiful in the kitchen, but is also approved for outdoor use if desired.
