Tainan Old House Renovation: Blending Terrazzo with Marble for Timeless Design

Imagine stepping into a 40-year-old townhouse in Tainan. The air carries a faint musty scent, and beneath your feet lies a dull, perhaps even greasy, gray terrazzo floor. Clutter fills the corners, and the lighting is dim. Your first instinct might be: “Tear it all down and start fresh!” You’d want to replace it with polished porcelain tiles or warm wooden flooring, completely erasing the “outdated” and “old-fashioned” traces to transform it into a brand-new modern residence.

However, now picture a different scene, one masterfully redesigned by an interior architect: the same terrazzo floor, after being polished and crystallized, radiates a gentle luster akin to jade. The once unremarkable brass strips gleam under the sunlight. Standing upon this time-worn floor is a magnificent island countertop crafted from Carrara White marble. The cool, crisp white marble creates a fascinating dialogue with the simple, rustic gray terrazzo. It evokes the warmth of Grandma’s home while exuding the refined luxury of a five-star hotel. Old and new don’t clash; instead, they ignite a unique sense of chic.

This is one of the most captivating cases in Tainan’s old house renovations: preserving terrazzo while incorporating marble. This design revolution isn’t about destruction; it’s about heritage and rebirth. It challenges our definition of “old,” proving that with skillful application, the marks of time can become the most valuable adornment in a home. This article will delve into this case study, exploring how to overcome the conflicts between new and old materials to create a stunning “Retro Modern” style.

The Challenge of Preserving Old Materials: Why Terrazzo is Often Seen as a Renovation Burden?

In Taiwan’s old house renovation market, terrazzo flooring is frequently the first element to be sacrificed. Despite the recent rise of retro trends, homeowners and construction crews still face significant psychological and technical hurdles in practical execution.

The Stereotype of “Dirty and Old”: Misinterpreting the Dust of Ages

Most people associate terrazzo with being “dirty, old, and dull.” This is because early terrazzo floors were often only coated with wax. Over decades of foot traffic and oxidation, the surface became dull and blackened, absorbing countless stains. This visual lack of cleanliness leads homeowners to mistakenly believe the material itself is damaged. In reality, terrazzo is an extremely hard and durable material (cement + crushed stone). With professional “grinding and renovation,” the surface layer of dirt and aging can be removed, restoring its stone-like luster. Many people opt for costly demolition simply because they are unaware of its potential for rejuvenation.

The “Style Break” of New and Old Materials: The Fear of Appearing Tacky

Another challenge is style coordination. Terrazzo carries a strong “local Taiwanese feel” and a “nostalgic vibe.” If not paired appropriately, it can easily make a home look like a “countryside old house,” appearing tacky or disharmonious. When homeowners want to introduce modern elements like “marble,” they worry that these two stones—one representing common memories, the other representing high-end luxury—might look mismatched together. This fear of “style management capability” often leads homeowners to choose the safest option: installing wood flooring throughout the entire space.

The “Destructive” Problem of Conduit Layout: The Cost of Rerouting Utilities

Old house renovations inevitably involve rerouting electrical and plumbing systems. Preserving the existing flooring means you cannot arbitrarily cut grooves in the floor to bury pipes. All hot and cold water pipes and electrical circuits must be routed through the ceiling or walls, increasing construction difficulty and cost. In some cases of layout changes (like relocating the kitchen), the ground drainage pipe configuration becomes the biggest obstacle to preserving the terrazzo floor. Balancing “preservation” and “functionality” is a major test for the designer.

How Retro Modern Rewrites the Rules: Dialogue Between Old and New & The Role of Different Materials

In this Tainan case, the designer didn’t treat the terrazzo as a burden but as the “soul of the space.” By introducing modern marble and metallic elements, they rewrote the design rules for old houses.

New Core Element: Terrazzo as a “Historical Canvas”

The designer preserved the large areas of terrazzo flooring in the living and dining rooms. After seamless grinding and crystallization treatment, the previously dull floor revealed a delicate “water-ground” texture. Its irregular aggregate pattern (Terrazzo) became the space’s most natural backdrop. This floor is no longer a supporting actor but a stage carrying family memories.

New Core Element: Marble as a “Modern Sculpture”

To balance the nostalgic feel of terrazzo, the designer boldly used “Sculpture White” marble with its vibrant patterns for the visual focal points of the space—the TV wall and the island bar. The marble’s pure white and sharp lines create a strong contrast with the gray and roundedness of the terrazzo. Here, the marble acts as a “modern sculpture,” injecting contemporary craftsmanship and elevating the space’s textural layers. This prevents the “old” from appearing “worn out” and instead highlights the value of the “new.\

New Core Element: Brass Metal as a “Transitional Bridge”

To connect these two distinct stones, the designer utilized brass and titanium-plated metal as intermediaries. The terrazzo floor itself has embedded brass strips, a detail the designer cleverly echoed. Metallic elements are dotted on the legs of furniture, in light fixtures, and at the edges where marble meets woodwork. The luster of the metal not only complements the luxury of the marble but also perfectly blends with the retro charm of the terrazzo, serving as the key to linking past and present.

Beyond Renovation: 3 Design Keys to Creating Spaces that Blend Old and New

To successfully replicate this “Tainan-style” Retro Modern aesthetic, intuition alone isn’t enough. The following three design keys provide a practical guide for perfectly integrating old souls with new life.

Key 1: “Warm-Cool Balance” in Color Planning

Terrazzo typically leans towards cool tones (gray, green, cool white). To prevent the space from feeling too cold, the choice of marble and soft furnishings must incorporate “warmth.\

Element	Material/Color Suggestions	Design Purpose
Flooring (Base)	Original Terrazzo (Gray/Green Tones)	Preserve historical feel, providing a stable, dirt-resistant floor background.
Main Body (Focal Point)	Marble (White/Beige with Warm Veins)	Such as Sculpture White, Carrara White. Avoid overly black or cold marbles that might clash with the flooring.
Harmony (Medium)	Walnut / Teak	Dark wood tones can “ground” the space’s energy, connecting the coolness of the stone and infusing the warmth of an old house.

Key 2: The Art of Handling Various “Joints”

The transition areas between new and old materials are critical for the success of the details.

• Avoid Direct Contact: Try to prevent marble from directly “sticking” to the terrazzo floor. Use “floating” designs (like a suspended TV cabinet) or “metal trim strips” to separate the two, creating breathing room.
• Shadow Gap: At the junction of walls and floors, forgo baseboards and opt for an recessed shadow gap. This makes the old flooring appear cleaner and more modern, eliminating the sense of age.

Key 3: “Era-Appropriate” Furniture Mix

Once the hard elements are in place, the soft furnishings are the soul. In this case, the designer selected:

• Classic Armchairs: Such as rattan chairs or chairs in the style of Hans Wegner, echoing the era of the old house.
• Modern Sofa: Choose a low-profile, simply lined Italian-style fabric sofa to balance the heaviness of the vintage pieces and bring in the comfort and leisure of modern living.

The Future of Old House Renovation: A Choice About “Cultural Confidence”

Ultimately, this Tainan old house case teaches us that the most premium luxury isn’t about brand-new materials piled up with money, but about respecting “time.” Choosing to preserve terrazzo and pair it with marble is a decision that demonstrates “cultural confidence.” We no longer blindly pursue Western model homes but learn to appreciate the textures of the land beneath our feet. This design, which blends old and new, not only gives the old house a new lease on life but also allows residents to feel the symphonic resonance of past and future with every step. This is the most captivating form of home.