Thursday, May 30, 2013

Tuscan Architectural Style


Have you ever been to Italy? Have you visited some of the older villages and seen the gorgeous houses that exist there? Tuscany is an especially lovely place to visit, and has been the inspiration for home styles all over due to the simple yet elegant designs.

Even if you have never been to Italy, there is still a very good chance that you have some idea of what a Tuscan villa looks like. This is because they aren't just located in Tuscany. Today you can find Tuscan architectural style homes all over, though some are more likely to appear in certain places than others.  For example, it's much more likely to see one situated in sunny California near a vineyard than in the woods of Vermont.  Still, no matter where you live there is nothing stopping you from enjoying one of these fine homes or simply incorporating elements from the overall design into your current home. A little bit of elegance can go a long way.

The history behind how these villas reached the United States begins in the past when they were first introduced to England in the 1840s. Over time, they made their way here through both people inspired by them and by people from the original region with enough income to recreate a traditional villa-style home from the ground up. Many Tuscan architectural style homes have a mixed interior that is inspired by Old World and Mediterranean styles. This can mean stone accents, tile accents, and wrought iron pieces. You can almost always find wood beams within the structure as well as wide plank wood flooring.

The exterior of the Tuscan villa is what is the most noticeable and easiest to identify. Many of these homes still incorporate tile at a low pitch or terra cotta roofs. Construction is made with stone or stucco, and you are bound to see gorgeous arched doorways and windows. The windows will often include wooden shutters, and their design almost always means that they will be tall and narrow.

Ways that you can incorporate this type of style into your own home include considering what will work best within your home. Could your house benefit from some new hardwood flooring? What about a stunning new door? How about some Tuscany inspired moulding? These are just a few of the ways you can bring a bit of Italy into your house. But, sometimes, it's the little things that can make all the difference in the world.


Mason Morrison is a home improvement expert and writes articles for Sun Mountain Inc, a leading [http://www.sunmountaindoor.com/moulding/browse/arch/tuscan/]Tuscan style doors producer

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tuscan-Architectural-Style&id=7533385] Tuscan Architectural Style

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Understanding Tuscan Decorating

     Tuscan decor is used quite often throughout America in order to improve the appearance of the home. However, there are many people who do not know where the Tuscan style originates and why it is used so often.

     Obviously Tuscan style decorating originates from Tuscany. Now Tuscany is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it boasts welcoming and warm looking homes. It is home to the Renaissance and Leonardo DaVinci, Dante and Michaelangelo, all originate from there. There are old buildings full of history and everything about the country helps people to feel a sense of belonging and carries them away with wishful thinking. That is the main reason Tuscan style decorating is as popular as it is today.



     When you look at the colors of Tuscan style decorating, you realize that mainly earthy colors are used as well as a few sea blue colors too. Warm reds, smooth chocolate browns and olive greens all go well within a Tuscan style home and the pictures you can purchase with a Tuscan feel are usually landscapes which show natural beauty.

   The Tuscan style theme has changed over the years and it was in the fourteenth century that European architecture started to change. The well known Italian architect/artists such as Brunelleschi and Giotto started to build taller buildings. Symmetry played a large part in their designs, as did scrolling ironwork and floor mosaics. It is this change that really got Tuscan decorating going.

     The Tuscan theme was again changed during the Roman times. This was because Tuscany started to become a place in which trade and travel were common. Tuscan designers started to take inspiration from countries such as Egypt and India and they brought over pieces of furniture and accessories highlighting the two countries' styles.

     If you look at the furniture which is used in Tuscan style decorating, you will notice that it has quite a few different architectural elements. Table legs and chair legs both often are carved as though they were columns, highlighting the fourteenth century. You can also see that many types of Tuscan style has mosaics incorporated into them such as coffee tables which have mosaics on the top of them. These highlight the Roman period in Tuscany.

     Overall all Tuscan style furnishing pieces are inspired by a different period in Tuscany. So it helps to have some knowledge on each era before you start decorating your home in a Tuscan theme.


     Adam Peters is a syndicated editor of http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. A website with tips on [http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/1106tuscan_design.html]tuscany theme remodeling, amongst many related topics. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/. Understanding-Tuscan-Decorating&id=664430] Understanding Tuscan Decorating

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Home Decorating - the Tuscan Look

The Tuscan look evokes pastoral simplicity and an inviting atmosphere that recreates a country retreat inspired by nature. Pick pure, simple colors that remind you of Tuscany at sunset, the inspiration for this popular country style. Cool blues and greens provide contrast against earthy terra cotta, brick and yellow tones.

The more rustic your flooring, the better. Terra-cotta and clay tiles are a phenomenal addition to any Tuscan room, as are distressed wooden plank and stone flooring. Mosaic patterns or pictures made of glass, marble or ceramic inlay can spruce up your tile floor if you want a more elegantly dazzling touch. If you want the luxury of carpet but the Tuscan style, purchase a Persian rug
to get the best of both worlds.

For lighting, keep an eye out for wrought-iron fixtures with candelabra shapes or metallic leaves that bring to mind Italian vineyards and the bounty of Nature. These fixtures are ideal for creating your Tuscan getaway.

Think of simple country pleasures, including comfort, family and food when it comes to outfitting your room with furniture. Avoid furniture with formal profiles or that are too fussy-looking. Keep lines simple and clean, and look for pieces bearing the artful distressed finishes common in today's furniture market. It makes even new furniture look older and more charming. Armoires and cupboards, with doors open to stylishly display beautiful linens or tableware, are a key design component and can be placed along walls and keep the room's tone open and inviting.

Like the French Provencal style, Tuscan-inspired rooms rely on plastered walls and exposed wooden beams to highlight architectural lines and convey the idyllic beauty of a country home. Soft-hued murals on select textured walls can transport an admirer to vineyards, an enchanting hillside or make the wall look weathered for a quainter look. Use your copper pots for decorative purposes throughout the kitchen, and highlight counter space and bare areas with jars of distinct Italian ingredients like pasta, olives or garlic. Flowers work well throughout any room and bring to mind the Italian countryside.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/home-decorating-the-tuscan-look-149212.html
About the Author
For a HUGE selection of furniture, including bed frames, bedroom sets, and dining room furniture, visit Eco-Furniture.com today.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

How to Give Your Home An Aristocratic Look and Feel with Tuscan Style Decor

Arched doorways, warm earth toned walls, iron accents, hearty chandeliers and richly woven fabrics all add to the elegant allure of a Tuscan styled home.
When selecting furnishings think about incorporating a mix of textures for depth. Wood, iron, leather and fabric all blend beautifully together when selected in the same warm tones. Lamps can be found new that look like family heirlooms and the same goes for chandeliers and furniture that is heavy and traditional.