Decorating Home Styles: Tuscan
The Tuscan decorating style draws inspiration from the romance and rugged beauty of the Italian region of Tuscany. This region provides the setting for beautiful, historic cities such as Florence, Pisa and Sienna. Homes decorated in this style attempt to channel the warm, natural beauty of the Tuscan landscape and to mimic the Old World charm of its sumptuous villas and estates. Does this Spark an idea?
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Wall Treatments
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Tuscan wall treatments echo the aged, warm palette of their Italian inspiration. Because many homes in Tuscany feature antique mosaics, murals and plasters, these elements represent important components of this style of decor. Designers often imitate the aged effect of centuries-old Tuscan walls by distressing paint treatments with false cracks and fading for an authentic effect. Some homeowners choose Venetian plasters that require layers of thick application of color. Interior house paint, though, can be layered in warm hues to achieve a similar look. Popular wall colors include deep reds, warm golds and pale creams.
Flooring
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Tuscan-style flooring imitates the rustic, Mediterranean look of Italian homes. Because the marble and mosaic work found in the originals comes with a staggering price tag, many homeowners choose less expensive variations. Ceramic tiles with imitation mosaic details, terra-cotta tiles and dark wood flooring represent popular options for Tuscan flooring. To achieve an authentic appearance, wood flooring in deep, rustic browns works best. Many homeowners choose colorful Persian rugs to complement flooring, because these accessories thrived for centuries in Italian design.
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Furniture
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Tuscan-style furniture embodies classical design with straight, simple lines. Designers seek a simple, rustic quality for this look; sturdy, solid materials take center stage. Dark hardwoods create a dramatic quality for chairs, tables, kitchen islands and cabinets. Because many old Tuscan homes do not feature closets, wardrobes and other portable storage units make up an important component of this look. Wrought iron and other unpolished metals also feature prominently in Tuscan-style furniture for their Old World aesthetic.
Finishing Touches
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Tuscan accessories bring a burst of color and pattern to this simple, no-frills style. Objects that feature mosaic work, such as decorative tabletops, mesh well against the backdrop of a Tuscan room. Mediterranean-inspired pottery and glassware, in deep blues, sunny yellows and brilliant red-orange palettes capture the warmth of the Tuscan countryside. Indoor plants add a earthy touch to the natural look of Tuscan decor. Heavy, wrought-iron elements, like wall hangings or candelabras, complement the rustic appeal of this style. Candles and lamps that add a warm, natural glow pair well with the uncomplicated beauty of Tuscan design.
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References
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