Classic with a Twist: Bringing Colour, Craftsmanship and Joie de Vivre to High Street Armadale

In the heart of Armadale’s stylish High Street precinct, where heritage façades meet contemporary Melbourne living, sits a showroom that refuses to blend into the background. Classic with a Twist has spent more than a decade transforming outdoor and indoor spaces with furniture that is equal parts timeless and playful, classic and unexpected.

Founded in Melbourne in 2013 by Mandy de Steiger, the business was born from a clear frustration with the sameness of global high-street brands. After years of travel and observing a decline in originality, Mandy set out to introduce something distinctive: European design that celebrates individuality, exceptional craftsmanship and, above all, a bold embrace of colour. The result is a carefully curated collection of outdoor and indoor furniture, lighting, rugs and homewares that brings energy and personality to Australian homes, gardens, cafés and commercial spaces.

In 2022 the business became a true family affair when Mandy’s son, Justin, joined the team. Drawing on sales and marketing experience gained both in Australia and internationally, Justin now helps steer the company forward while preserving the creative spirit that has defined it from the beginning.

A Curated World of European Design

Classic with a Twist is the official partner in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania for two of France’s most respected outdoor furniture houses — Fermob and Tectona Paris — and has more recently welcomed the Danish rattan specialists Sika-Design into its portfolio.

Fermob is famous for its vibrant, powder-coated steel and aluminium pieces that shrug off Australian sun, rain and coastal air. The iconic Bistro chair, available in a rainbow of colours, has become a global favourite from Parisian sidewalks to Melbourne courtyards. Collections such as Luxembourg, Bellevie and Lorette offer everything from café-style folding sets to deep outdoor lounges, all designed to stack, store and endure.

Tectona Paris brings a more refined, neoclassical sensibility. Its aluminium and teak pieces, particularly the elegant 1800 collection inspired by Directory-period French furniture, combine clean lines with subtle decorative details. These are pieces built for longevity — equally at home on a seaside terrace or in a formal garden.

Sika-Design, a family-owned Danish company since 1942, adds the warmth of rattan and woven textures. Their outdoor-ready collections use durable synthetic weaves that retain the organic beauty of traditional craft while standing up to the elements.

Alongside these hero brands, the showroom stocks complementary ranges including Pappelina outdoor rugs from Sweden, Tanora raffia homewares, Basil Bangs prints and a considered selection of indoor furniture and lighting. The overall effect is a one-stop destination for anyone looking to create cohesive, characterful outdoor living spaces.

The Armadale Showroom Experience

Located at 731–733 High Street, Armadale, the Melbourne showroom is a light-filled space where customers can sit, touch and compare pieces in person. Staff are known for their practical advice and willingness to help clients mix colours, scale furniture to specific spaces, and navigate the full range of finishes. Trade clients are warmly welcomed, and the team regularly works with architects, interior designers and hospitality operators across Melbourne and beyond.

Australia-wide delivery is available, with click-and-collect from the Armadale warehouse for local customers. A second showroom in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, extends the brand’s reach into Queensland.

Why Colour Matters

What truly sets Classic with a Twist apart is its unapologetic love of colour. In a design landscape that often defaults to neutrals, the showroom encourages clients to be brave. A set of Fermob chairs in cactus green or ice mint can transform a bland balcony into a joyful outdoor room. A Tectona bench in soft blue-grey can anchor a formal garden with quiet elegance. The message is simple: outdoor furniture does not have to be beige to be sophisticated.

This philosophy has resonated with homeowners, café owners and commercial clients who want their spaces to feel personal rather than generic. Reviews consistently praise both the quality of the products and the attentive service — from careful delivery and assembly to thoughtful styling advice.

Visit Classic with a Twist

Classic with a Twist 731–733 High Street Armadale VIC 3143 Australia

Phone: (03) 9510 4561 Email: info@classicwithatwist.com.au Website: classicwithatwist.com.au

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday: Closed

Whether you are furnishing a compact courtyard, designing a hotel terrace or simply looking for a single standout chair that makes you smile every time you see it, Classic with a Twist offers a refreshing alternative to the ordinary. In a city that values both style and substance, this Armadale showroom continues to prove that classic design is at its best when given a colourful, contemporary twist.