Bring Tuscany home by incorporating design details reminiscent of this region.
To think of Tuscany is to think of vineyards and gentle hills, sunflowers and a rustic lifestyle. It's no wonder that people have sought to recreate the mood of Tuscany in their own homes. A Tuscan interior design style is characterized by warm earth tones, by salvaged farmhouse tables and sinks. Stone, tile and terra-cotta (which translates to "baked earth" in Italian) also feature prominently in this aesthetic.
Color Palette
Rich earth tones recall the Tuscan landscape. Yellows spilling over into gold, sandy neutrals and burnt sienna, rusted and faded reds. For wall color, shades of buttery yellow are best as they are light enough to look warm without cramping a room. Creamy whites are also traditionally used in Tuscan homes. Consider saving the stronger colors for furnishings or architectural details. In terms of yellow, take a look at Valspar's "Summer Gold" or "Butter Up" by Sherwin-Williams.
Furnishings
Part of what makes the Tuscan lifestyle so appealing is a certain rural quality, best communicated through furniture. The aim is to select pieces that are storied, or at least look storied. Salvaged tables from old farmhouses for the dining room and/or kitchen, heavy wood dressers and bed frames for the bedrooms are all suggestive of a country life in Tuscany. The furnishings should be casual and sturdy, which doesn't mean they're not grand; just steer away from modern, contemporary furnishings with clean, sharp lines and polished surfaces. If you can't locate what you need in your area, be aware that you can, for a price, import your furniture directly from Italy. Italy by Web makes authentic, handcrafted Italian pieces that can be delivered to the United States. On this site, see the "Classic Rectangular Table," "Large Italian Plank Table" or "Large Italian Farmhouse Table" for good examples.
Details and Accents
If you stick to a neutral background, you can work magic with the details. Ceiling rafters in dark wood are a nice option, as is dark wood on stairway banisters or in furniture. Lighter woods should appear timeworn, mellowed and unvarnished. For flooring options, consider terra-cotta, stone or hardwood. Copper pots in the kitchen, particularly hanging from a rack (if you have the space) add shine and light in keeping with the theme. A great farmhouse sink adds a good deal of rustic charm. You can find these at furniture stores or hunt down antique ones. Tile is popular in the kitchen and works well for a backsplash but can also be featured liberally in the bathrooms. Don't forget the small details, which build up the ambiance. Vases full of sunflowers here and there add charm. Pots of rosemary leave rooms smelling nice, and bottles of fine olive oil in the kitchen work quietly to build on the Tuscan theme. Also, a collection of wine from the region can make a nice display.
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