If Under the Tuscan Sun has left you breathless and head over heels in love with Tuscan-style décor, you’re certainly not alone. The rolling hills and the call of the earth itself seem to have imparted their presence to the psyche of those who have read the book or seen the film.
This growing trend in Tuscan-style decorating is akin to the chicken-or-egg theory.
Whatever the answer, the results are genuinely inspiring. Images of our direct connection to the land itself are born and arouse a longing for the proximity of familiar faces.
In Tuscan-style decoration we are able to reflect our passion for that connection with the land and with reality.
Everything that is old and forgotten becomes new and significant again.
Tuscan-style décor elements incorporate the outdoors within the interior confines of where we live. You don’t have to be outside to commune with nature. Instead, it communicates in harmony with life within our homes.
Colors in Tuscan-style decoration
Warmth and intensity… just like in fine Italian coffee fills the vivid color palette of this style. Earth tones ranging from scorching yellow like the sun itself to concentrated gold like the ones it hides in most of its cracks are used throughout this theme. Intense shades of reddish and chocolate are also abundantly incorporated with prominent amounts of terracotta.
Other earth tones also blend in Tuscan-style decorative harmony. Include expressions of charcoal black, deep pool or lake blue, and olive with hints of sea green combined with generous amounts of oxidized reds for added flavor.
Stone decoration in Tuscan style
When it comes to home decor, this style is literally the salt of the earth. Natural stones and rocks from the earth itself give this evidence. Even bricks, which are man-made, start with clay and other elements from the earth.
Stone is used in Tuscan-style decoration very effectively in kitchens and bathrooms. Other places where it makes a powerful statement are around fireplaces and hearths, as well as foyers and other entrances. Creating a faux stone wall adds an immediate Tuscan feel to any room.
Before choosing stone for your Tuscan-style decorating project, learn about the physical qualities of any stone you’re considering. Before you decide which stone to use and where to use it, you need to be aware of its limitations. The three most used stones are granite, limestone and marble.
Granite: strong, durable and heat resistant. This stone creates a stunning Tuscan-style décor focal point, but it is expensive.
Limestone: natural looking, but highly absorbent and stains easily. It is typically used on floors and for shower interiors, but is not recommended for areas that receive frequent traffic.
Marble: soft and porous, not suitable for kitchen countertops, recommended for bathrooms and floors. Use unpolished to best complement this theme.
Metal decoration in Tuscan style.
True to the existing concept in harmony with the land, the idea in Tuscan-style decoration is to appreciate the natural. Instead of using highly polished metals that have a shiny appearance, you’ll incorporate metals from the past.
Select basic tin pieces to create a sense of authenticity. If you’re creative, you can even try making your own Tuscan-style décor accessories out of tin. You can go as basic or as bold as you like, from making a simple picture frame to a tin insert for an antique cabinet.
Mix in other unpolished metals like copper, iron, and pewter for dramatic effects.