The Old Town area in various Indonesian cities holds a timeless charm of classic architecture. Jakarta’s Old Town, Surabaya’s Old Town and Semarang’s Old Town are all home to Dutch colonial buildings that display a stunning harmony of colors. Historic buildings with artistic ornamental details, large filigree windows, and sturdy colonial-style structures create a captivating visual panorama. What’s interesting about this historic complex is not only the architectural form, but also the selection of colors that have survived hundreds of years and are the perfect inspiration for today’s modern classic-style homes.
White and Dark Green Combination
This classic combination creates an elegant, authoritative and timeless impression that is perfect for creating a memorable first impression. The pure white gives a formal and clean luxury, while the dark green adds a strong and elegant character. Inspiration was taken from the Jakarta History Museum (Museum Fatahillah) in Jakarta’s Old Town, with its majestic white facade and dark green accents on the wooden doors and windows reflecting the authentic Dutch colonial architecture that has become an icon of Jakarta’s heritage.
Mahogany White and Brown Combination
It’s a warm, professional and classy blend that gives the impression of luxury without being overwhelming, perfect for spaces that need a focused yet cozy atmosphere. Mahogany brown provides a warm, soothing touch and creates an atmosphere that invites productivity. Reference is taken from the De Javasche Bank building in Kota Tua Surabaya which features a blend of ivory white with mahogany brown accents on architectural details, reflecting the solidity and trustworthiness of a financial institution that has stood firm since the colonial era.
White and Gray Combination
This contemporary combination creates a clean, modern and elegant impression with a touch of timeless classics. The pure white of the main building gives an airy, clean and minimalist feel that is perfect for a modern residence, while the gray of the windows and doors adds an elegant visual dimension and provides just the right contrast without being too flashy. Inspiration is taken from the historic building of Pos Bloc (Surabaya Post Office) which is an icon of communication and public service in the colonial era, with a clean white facade that reflects the transparency of the service and gray window and door frames that show the reliability of the communication system, creating a professional, trustworthy look, while still maintaining its heritage character as a communication center that connected Surabaya with the outside world since the Dutch colonial era.
Bone White, Brown, and Green Combination
This color combination brings a cozy, vintage and warm atmosphere with an authentic heritage cafe feel. This combination is perfect for creating an atmosphere that invites warm conversations and quality moments, ideal for living rooms or entertainment areas that want to feel homey yet stylish. References were taken from Batavia Cafe in Jakarta’s Old Town which features vintage interiors with soothing bone white walls, warm brown teak wood furniture, and dark green accents in the décor details that create an authentic, nostalgic colonial cafe atmosphere, and a favorite destination to enjoy the atmosphere of old Batavia.
White, Gray, and Brick Combination
This combination creates a vintage modern atmosphere with an elegant and impressive industrial touch. Gray gives a clean, contemporary feel, bone white adds warmth, while brick red brings bold character and becomes an eye-catching visual focal point. Inspiration is taken from Semarang’s iconic Lawang Sewu with its majestic bone white structure, gray details on the charming Art Deco ornaments, and brick red accents on certain elements that create a dramatic visual contrast and become an unforgettable historical landmark.
Tips for Choosing the Right Paint for a Classic Home
Choosing the right paint is key to giving your walls an authentic classic feel. Use wall paint with weather resistance, anti-fade and anti-fungal technology to make your beautiful walls last longer and not get dirty easily. Satin or eggshell finishes give an elegant impression, while semi-gloss is suitable for areas that get dirty easily. For wood and iron elements (such as doors, windows, frames, trellises, and various other ornaments) EMCO product sets are the ideal choice for heritage-style homes.
Product set advantages of EMCO Primer, EMCO LUX, and EMCO Thinner:
- Water Resistant: Maximum protection against moisture and rain
- Vibrant Color: Not easy to fade even in direct sunlight
- Superior Adhesion: Not easy to peel off so that it effectively protects wood from rotting and protects iron from rusting.
- Quick Dry: More efficient painting process without sacrificing quality
EMCO LUX is designed for long-term ease of maintenance. Perform regular inspections every 6 months, clean with a damp cloth, and do minor touch-ups if needed. With proper care, EMCO LUX can maintain the beauty of your classic home for many years.
The key to successfully creating an authentic classic-style home lies in three main aspects:
- Color selection based on historical research of Indonesian heritage buildings
- Use of high-quality materials such as EMCO’s durable wood and iron sets
- Professional application with the right technique for maximum results
By combining color inspiration from the Old Town, EMCO LUX’s premium paint quality, and proper application techniques, your home will become a masterpiece that not only looks classy, but also becomes part of preserving cultural values for future generations. Investing in quality colors and materials today will provide continued satisfaction and pride in the future.
