Tuscany Home Interior Guide

The rustic Tuscan decorating style is a timeless combination of simplicity, utility, and old-fashioned comfort. Based on the popular style of the Tuscan farm house or villa, this style incorporates some of the ancient Italian decorating motifs, but simplified for the country style of life enjoyed in the region of Tuscany.

Most of Tuscan living occurs in the outdoors, and the Tuscan garden is a popular addition to many homes in California and other milder climates. Cast iron benches and Roman style fountains and statues are characteristic features of these gardens, but can be placed inside as well as out. Concrete and plaster reproductions can be found easily at garden stores and can be quite affordable. These fun pieces can add a lot of atmosphere to a room with little effort.

Adding plants to your living space can also give your house a rustic feel. Vines and fresh cut flowers can make any urban apartment into an instant country home. Try growing traveling ivy or other such vine-like indoor plants and draping them over windows and bookcases for a farm-house feel. Italian landscape paintings can also set the mood, as can fresh cut tulips and sunflowers-natives of the region.

Tuscan furniture is sturdy and highly usable. Thick wood slab tables and deep-set windows give a home a warm feel. Furniture that is too new or fancy may feel delicate and un-welcoming. Wooden window shutters and simple white paint, as opposed to varnish, are also characteristic of the Tuscan country home and are cheap and easy to create.

Terra cotta planters, tiles and decorations with give your home an earthy feel. As cooking is very important to Italians, the Tuscan kitchen is spacious and warm with thick wooden counter tops and plenty of work space. Tuscan kitchens and bathrooms are often decorated with Italian-style mosaics and brightly colored murals. This type of personal artistic touch can truly make a home your own.

The main focus of Tuscan-style decorating is to create a warm, welcoming and simple environment that is easy to live in and reminiscent of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.