Tuscan Home Decorating

A Tuscan home decorating style represents the old world Italian countryside. This Mediterranean style has a warm, natural feel. It speaks of family, friends and food. It’s no wonder that this open, inviting decor has such strong appeal.

If you are remodeling, you can inexpensively create the authentic look of the Tuscany region of Cortona, Italy itself. Your goal will be to create the feeling that your home is timeless. The illusion is easy to achieve with affordable Venetian Plaster and paint for an interior finish. For accessories, ironwork and candles are very reasonable. Fill Italian pottery with grapes or vegetables to make interesting displays. The more expensive items will be natural flooring, heavy furniture and wall tapestries which you can add as you are able.

People find Italian interiors to be very practical. The colors are warm and comfortable. The base color typically comes from terra cotta clay which runs reddish to orange. Think food colors to complement - Eggplant purple, olive green, tomato red.

The Tuscan Kitchen

For the Tuscan kitchen, you’ll want to keep natural materials in mind. Floors should be slate or tile and your countertops - granite. You will want your cabinets to have an aged wood look with black iron hardware. Display your herbs, oils and spices openly in glass containers. Liberally use clusters of Italian ceramics and mount colorful stoneware dinner plates on the walls to round out the all important "food" theme.

Throughout The Home

For the rest of the home, you’ll want rugs over natural wood or tile floors. Tuscan style furniture is typically heavily carved wood with iron, leather or marble accents. Art and wall tapestries should feature wine or food related items or, of course, the Italian countryside. Look for rich colors.

Tuscan Outside

For the outdoors, you can easily build a pergola over an open patio. A pergola is simply a wooden frame with an open top consisting of running boards. Envision a structure for growing a grapevine and you’ll have the right idea. A stucco exterior and a terra cotta half-round tile roof completes the look.

The Feel, The Lifestyle

What is it like to live in a Tuscan villa? The feel is very sensual. The open, airy design is so comfortable, especially in warmer climates. You’ll love the feel of your living space spilling out onto a patio, with outdoor seating and a water feature. With the Tuscan home decorating style, you’ll find yourself transported to the Mediterranean, where warm, soft breezes surround you with a gentle, inviting lifestyle.

To Delightful Decorating,

- Melisa

Home Decorating

Melisa J. Verch