The downtown (off East/West Broad) is a classic American small downtown, love it. 

Lol... this is classic, and iGms can claim this too. 

I'm in the classic situation of deciding whether to pay down mortgages vs refinancing and buying more.

That is classic.

I use Sherwin Williams Pro Classic Acrylic Latex and I always have them add Latex Extender (for better work time and leveling).

Inside, antiqued mirrored ceilings, marble floors, stone walls, ironwork, and Venetian plaster and JP Weaver molded ceilings with 24-karat gold complement the classical architecture.

Financing long-term assets with short-term debt is the classical road to bankruptcy.

There are some features that once you change you may regret having done so later, especially painting brick and painting cedar walls.... please reconsider... these are classic features that would be hard to reclaim once you mess with them.

If that is the case, I recommend keeping your style more "classic".

Agree with looking cheap, if your heart isn't set on the mosaics you could do a standard subway tile....such a classic look and always in style and doesn't break the bank either....