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| Home Skills and Basics Wallpaper Home & Domestic Interior Decorating Jessica Ackerman |
Tuscan Decorating StyleThe Tuscan style of decorating is reminiscent of the look of sunny Italy.This style has its roots in the beautiful Tuscany area, providing a country-inspired look that is somehow rustic and slightly formal at the same time. The Tuscany region of Italy is located along the western shoreline of the country, along the Mediterranean coast. This area is rich in history, culture and beauty. It's often thought to be the area where the Renaissance began. 
Tuscan Colors and TexturesThe colors used in the Tuscan decorating style are reminiscent of the Mediterranean area. You'll find an abundance of beautifully muted and weather-worn shades, such as terra cotta, cypress green, olive, gold, taupe and brown.Warm and cool shades are often used together, providing a nice compliment and contrast of land and water shades. These darker and more vibrant shades are often highlighted by cream, off-white, light yellow and other light shades, providing a nice visual contrast. Walls are traditionally stucco, which are often decorated with Fresco paintings. This painting technique involves applying watercolor paints to the wall surfaces before the plaster is completely dry. There are also a few textures that provide the basis for the Tuscan look. Brick, pottery, and the aged, cracked appeal of stucco plaster can all add authentic Tuscan character to the look of any room. The texture of terra cotta tile or wide plank wooden floors can also add an appealing touch. Natural stone such as marble, limestone and sandstone are also commonly used for floors, steps, fireplaces, pillars and other areas. Ceilings are frequently constructed so that the dark unpainted wooden beams are visible, providing a nice color and texture contrast to the stucco walls. Furniture StylesTuscan-style furniture pieces are often rustic and a bit elegant at the same time.You'll often find one of two distinctly  different furniture styles.The more elegant style of furniture is solidly made and yet ornately decorative. A more rustic and simple style of furniture is also commonly used. Darker wood shades such as chestnut and walnut are often used for furniture pieces. However, lighter poplar and pine pieces can be used to create a more rustic and casual look. The more elegantly styled furniture pieces frequently have inlaid areas of marble, mother-of-pearl or even ivory. Gold trim, wrought iron accents and hand-painted designs are also common. Regardless of whether the rustic or the more elegant style of furniture is used, you'll usually find that rooms contain fewer furniture pieces than is common with many other decorating styles. Armoires and credenzas are common pieces that can be used in a variety of different rooms. Wrought iron beds are also a popular Tuscan-style decorating feature. Fabrics and TextilesLight colored fabrics are often used, providing a nice sense of contrast and light against the traditionally darker shades found in the floors, walls and furniture pieces.Luxurious fabrics such as linen, brocade, lace and damask are commonly used, providing a comfortable and yet slightly formal look. Window treatments are often simple, consisting of fabric curtains hung on a wrought iron rod. Decorating AccentsLush and leafy plants displayed in metal or terra cotta pots can work well in the Tuscan-style room.Freshly cut flowers or even dried flowers can also add a beautiful look. Persian or oriental rugs can be used to soften and warm up hardwood or terra cotta tile floors. Wall tapestries, wrought iron art, hand-painted ceramic and pottery pieces, and wine racks all work well as decorating accent pieces. Décor accents that showcase the abundance of nature, such as glass jars of pasta, preserved foods, or baskets and bowls of fresh produce and herbs add to the rustic appeal of the Tuscan home.
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