Modern, earthy, textured and raw home decor is the interior look that is dominating the design world in 2021. Slightly rustic, yet incredibly contemporary, this decor style echoes the colours, appearance and finishes of the natural world. The defining material used within this aesthetic is stone or stone-effect, accompanied by artisanal accessories constructed from wood and clay, and textiles composed from natural fibres such as rattan and sisal. The trend leans towards Wabi-sabi with its appreciation of characterful imperfections like wood knots, the incomplete lines and patterns found in natural stone, and rough particles of clay and soil. Carefully considered pieces are prioritised over multiple objects - although the tones of warm brown, muted greys and sandy shades separate this style away from being considered minimalist. Instead, the look embraces a sustainable appreciation of ecological and resourceful living. There is no room for plastics or vivid, inorganic bright colours - every element has a tactility and a depth and warmth originating in nature.

In collaboration with Casalgrande Padana, I am going to be looking at their new Petra collection: porcelain stoneware tiles with all the charm of natural stone, and talking through how you can achieve the modern, earthy decor trend in your own home with a few simple steps.

Natural stone is the central, pivotal material within this interior design aesthetic. A time-honoured substance layered over time by movements in the earth leads to its details in formation, colour and character. The Petra porcelain stoneware collection by Casalgrande Padana is inspired by the natural elegance of stone and is reminiscent of stone to the touch, yet it is more suited to modern living by being low maintenance and easy to clean. Perfectly squared and rectified and with an anti-slip surface, Petra can be used on both the floor and the walls to complement wooden furniture and furnishings in natural fibers.

Petra comes in six different shades (Petra Antracite, Bianca, Grigia, Oro, Perla and Sabbia) and five different formats (from the small 20x20 cm and 20x40 cm sizes to the classic 30x60 cm and 60x60 cm tiles, as well as the large 60x120 cm format) in a 20mm thickness. The collection is complemented by the 30x30 cm mosaics, with 5x5 cm or 5x15 cm tesserae, and a new series of brick-effect porcelain stoneware decorations.

Autumnal tones of terracotta, browns, muted greys, sandy yellows and shaded whites are the key colours featured within this interior look. Avoid brash shades and lean towards the warm, neutral tones of the earth. These colours are pleasant and inviting and bring a depth of sophistication when used in home decor.

Petra Bianco, Perla and Sabbia are light and can be teamed with darker fixtures and furnishings for contrast, or with lighter woods and fabrics to create an open, spacious feel that can be continued from inside to out. This enables a streamlined continuity between indoor and outdoor areas.

If you want to use darker tones on your floor and wall coverings, Petra Antracite can be combined with dulled metals for a dramatic, urban look that can be warmed up with shades of brown and amber:

This interior aesthetic is all about acknowledging the character and beauty of the imperfect. It embraces the curves, bumps, irregular lines and grains of items made by hand by craftspeople from natural materials; as opposed to the structured, perfected lines and corners constructed by machines of processed, plastic-based goods. As well as being visually pleasing, this look is all about advocating tactility, inviting you to feel and touch each surface. The slightly raised finish of Petra tiles, which replicate the feel of real stone, supplement and contribute to this unrefined decor scheme.

This style is meant to be muted, so avoid any polished metals or flawless finishes. Petra invites the mixing and matching of different colours and shapes within its collection that can be combined together to smoothly work with imperfect finish materials such as lime plaster and chalk wash paints. Below, Petra Oro is used on the floor and the base of the wall, before effortlessly transitioning up to wood and a flawed render:

Avoid inauthentic, mass-produced items and materials. The key is sustainability and embracing the characteristics of those items worn or weathered, which adds to the charm. Pieces should be able to be repurposed and recycled, so choose coloured glass and wood containers over plastic in the bathroom and kitchen. Decorative items and home accessories are the finishing touch, so choose organic, speckled glazes in cups, plates and vases that complement the mottled colours found within Petra. Garnish with dried, wild grasses and branches in faded brown and beige tones for a united design.