Sunday, February 24, 2008

Tuscany - La dolce vita

Tuscany, the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli, Chianti and olive oil…

Tuscan homes are usually of stucco and natural stone in light colors, dark hardwood furniture, and wrought iron accessories, open, airy, with many arched windows and gorgeous gardens. In other words, we can’ help but admire the peaceful, yet festive feeling that those Mediterranean dwellings exude.

We can’t get enough inspiration from that old world charm, simplicity and beauty. Infuse your life with some Tuscan appeal – comfort, warmth and style!
Use fabrics that are warm and close to nature, yet sophisticated and luxurious, calming, inviting colors: terracotta, olive greens, brick, yellows, blues, gold. Venetian or stucco plaster effects are used on new walls to add some texture and create that worn, aged Tuscan feel. Bring into play plenty of terracotta pots in the garden (different shapes), outdoor iron chandeliers and pillows, stone firepits, stone ovens (for those unforgettable homemade pizzas! Mama mia!) and you could easily recreate a Tuscan getaway.




A Tuscan villa


















Tuscany




Chianti



Tuscan dreams...










A Tuscan feel bathroom


I wouldn't mind a similar wine storage in my house...


A Tuscan-style water garden
HGTV designer Scott Cohen



A traditional winding staircase reminiscent of a Tuscan villa
HGTV designer Zina Samek




Stone and dark wood, a typical Tuscan dining room
by designer David Stimmel

1 comment:

Unknown said...

So what I would really like to know is, how to get that wall color in the tuscany living room, but I only want to paint one color. Who knew there were so many versions of golden butter.