There was a time before algorithms shaped our aesthetic tastes. Before Netflix interiors and Pinterest boards. For many of us, our earliest ideas of comfort and beauty were formed by the books we read, the childhood forts we built and the worlds we imagined.
As a child, I remember falling asleep dreaming about the Beaver’s cottage from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. A Warm and secure den set beside a frozen river where Mrs Beaver sewed while Mr Beaver rocked beside the crackling fire.
The details imprinted themselves on my memory. Three-legged stools. Rocking chairs. Fishing rods. Hatchets. Shears. Rough sacks. Collections of objects made from logs, sticks and mud. Everything layered with warmth, usefulness and atmosphere.
By contrast, the White Witch’s castle held no appeal. Its towering stone walls, cold throne rooms and dark dungeon-like interiors felt imposing rather than comforting.
Perhaps that instinct has stayed with many of us into adulthood. When life becomes busy and complicated, we are naturally drawn back towards spaces that feel soft, calm and deeply liveable. Muted colours. Frayed edges. Honest textures. Warm woods. Natural stone. Worn-inpatina. Spaces that feel collected rather than perfected.
In 2026, liveability is becoming one of the defining ideas in interior design.
But what does liveability actually mean? At its heart, liveability is about creating comfortable, functional and durable spaces that enhance daily life while balancing aesthetic beauty with practicality. It is luxury that can be lived in.
As Shea McGee of studio McGee explains, ‘The magic happens at the intersection of beauty and liveability’.
Surface design made liveable
In tile and surface design, liveability is about selecting materials that balance aesthetic warmth with everyday functionality. Durable surfaces with comfortable textures which age gracefully and can withstand the demands of modern living.
At Stiles, our Look Book for 2026 embraces timeless surfaces, natural warmth and comfort.
1. Clay & Terracotta
Warm clay and authentic terracotta surfaces perfectly capture the spirit of soft luxury and liveability. Modern porcelain interpretations offer the same matt, earthy aesthetic with greater durability, easier maintenance and everyday practicality, making them ideal for contemporary living.
The Tectonic range by Funky Tiles features oversized subways with a handmade, organic look in a trio of earthy tones. Aluk is a soft eggshell tone, Kula is a warm terracotta, and Phoenix is a pale, off-white. These tiles are available in both a flat and relief finish and are designed to be mixed and matched.
The Burnburry range leans into the warm neutral palette of sandy shades with extra-long and regular subways in greige, cotto, café and beige with a matt finish.
2. Warm timber living
The W-Circles range captures the distinctive character of end grain timber reimagined in porcelain. This range is available in three wood tones: Wenge, Walnut and Oak. The 9mm thick rectified tiles deliver the comfort of real wood without any of the practical considerations of real wood like warping, ongoing maintenance, moisture damage and humidity.
The W-Circles range is suitable for bathrooms, saunas and spaces with high traffic.
3. Tactile texture
Soft luxury is increasingly sensory. Fluted tiles, handmade finishes and textured surfaces add warmth, depth and human character to interiors while making spaces feel more relaxed and lived in.
The Node range from Stiles features textured panels of tile in sand and greige. The surface design features many tiny, finger-like raised bumps reminiscent of weathered driftwood bark.
4. Jewel tones
Rich, saturated mineral colours introduce mood, depth and individuality into soft luxury interiors. Used thoughtfully, jewel tones create warmth and emotional richness without overwhelming a space.
The Forme range introduces opulent shades in a simple, subway design, including the luxuriously glossy Azure, Ocra and Bianco.
The Nairobi Noa range of square wall tiles includes tiles in deep blue, Moss and an emerald green.
Find quality tiles selected for liveability at any of the Stiles showrooms or visit their website here to find out more.
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Picture: Supplied
