Reflecting the long history and exquisite vistas of the Italian countryside, Tuscan décor is a lovely option for bringing a sense of antique charm and natural beauty into your home. If you hate stuffy, pretentious decorating and you want to design a cozy, lived-in feel for your house, you simply can't go wrong with Tuscan décor. Emphasizing warm colors, natural materials, and simple details, Tuscan decorating exudes comfort, simplicity, and peace.
At its most basic level, Tuscan décor is a celebration of the beauty of nature (think vineyards and rolling hills) and the joy of food, friends, and family. That means you'll want to emphasize:
* Rustic, country elements
* Earth tone colors, especially warm golds, terra cottas, and greens
* Natural materials like wood and stone
* Simple details, especially organic motifs such as leaves and vines
* Time-worn, aged, and distressed decor
Start by choosing several antique-look furnishings for your room. From leather topped benches to embossed wall medallions to brightly painted hall tables, the larger pieces of your décor will set the stage and help create that aged, Tuscan feel. Be sure that you steer away from modern lines and materials (including shiny metals) to maintain the time-worn country look you're going for.
Next, work in appropriate accents. Decorative candlesticks are always a great option, as are simple urn shaped lamps. Also, consider displaying ceramic plates on a rustic hanging plate rack or grouping colorful earthenware vases on a table. Not only do these accents add splashes of Mediterranean color, they also draw on the importance of both food and simple materials in traditional Tuscan designing.
The same Tuscan style that's perfect for your interior decorating can also make the outdoor spaces of your home seem cozy and inviting. Using earth tones, natural materials, and time-worn pieces, your outdoor Tuscan décor is an attractive, laid-back way to complement your landscaping and create that ideal outdoor retreat. By simply adding outdoor accents that fit within the theme of Tuscan decorating, you can take your garden, porch, or patio from basic to charming Italian-country!
The first step is adding a fountain. A key part of the landscape and home architecture in Tuscany, fountains integrate water into outdoor décor, becoming a featured focal point in practically every courtyard or garden. You can do the same in your outdoor space, creating an eye-catching accent and adding the soothing sound of water to the sensory experience of your garden. Opt for a simple tiered fountain in warm terra cotta colors or choose a more detailed pedestal fountain. Remember, simple and natural should be your two key criteria when selecting a Tuscan-style fountain-materials should look like stone or terra cotta, not modern metals, and detailing should be uncomplicated and reflect the beauty of nature in botanical motifs and patterns. Position your fountain as the center of attention in your garden, making it the heart of your outdoor space and the focus of your Tuscan décor.
You'll want to consider statuary. With its storied history and ancient past, Tuscany is filled with exquisite statues from monumental architecture to simple country gardens. For the perfect Italian-inspired outdoor décor in your yard, a statue or two is a must. Keep in mind that any kind of statuary (in earth tones or natural stone colors) can work in your Tuscan decorating. Traditionally, Tuscan design would include classical forms-think the Venus de Milo-but that doesn't mean you have to stick with traditional nudes. As long as your statue choice stays grounded in the fundamentals of Tuscan décor (natural materials, aged appearance, organic details), just about any statue can complement your Tuscan theme.