Tuscan-Style Decoration in a Kitchen

A small sprig of flowers adds color to a rope of garlic.

Tuscan décor refers to a soft, natural look that calls to mind the Tuscany region of central Italy. Choose a Tuscan design for your kitchen when you want a visual space that is soft, just slightly cluttered and homey. A Tuscan kitchen is one that is welcoming and warm, and it allows you to be creative using a variety of elements. Decorate your entire kitchen using a Tuscan theme, or simply consider using a few decorative Tuscan elements.

Open Cabinets

Tuscan designs favors an open look, where all of the kitchen tools and utensils are on display and within easy reach. One way to utilize this look is to take the cabinet doors off of your cabinets. Display your dishes and your cups in the cabinets by tilting a few up on their sides or mounting them on edge inside the cabinet next to the stacked dishes. Open cabinets also create a more open space in the kitchen, allowing the kitchen to look larger and more spacious.

Sauce Bottles

Tuscan kitchen design encourages the look of a kitchen that is used, where food is a feast for the eyes as well as the tongue. Use clear decanters filled with vinegar and olive oil to add a jewel-like flash to your counters and to your cabinets. Use several small bottles filled with different types and colors of vinegar set in a row, or use just a few tall bottles on the table as a centerpiece. Look for olive oil bottles that have sprigs of rosemary or other herbs inside for a rich, textured look.

Ropes of Garlic

Garlic is an essential part of Italian cuisine, so display it prominently in your kitchen. A rope of papery, white garlic bulbs is an excellent wall hanging, and when you want, you can simply snap a bulb off to use in your cooking. Make your own garlic rope by braiding the tops of the garlic together and then hanging it up to dry, or simply purchase a garlic rope from a farmer's market or specialty food store.

Textures

Tuscan kitchens are all about a natural aesthetic, so skip the polished steel and the super-slick counters. Instead, choose faucets in a soft bronze or gold, and choose a warm terracotta tile for the floor. For the countertops, consider marble or granite. If you need more counter space in your kitchen, choose a butcher's block with a natural finish to the wood.

References

• Tuscan Home 101; Tuscan Kitchen Design Ideas
• Tuscan Decor; Designing Your Own Tuscan Kitchen with Style