What is Tuscan style?
Tuscan style refers to the rustic, elegant interior design style inspired by the Tuscany region of Italy. This style features natural materials, earthy colors, and a relaxed, welcoming aesthetic. Tuscan style emerged in the late 1980s and became hugely popular in the 1990s and 2000s. It remains a beloved interior design style today, often implemented in homes, restaurants, wineries, and rustic resorts. Tuscan style brings the warmth and charm of Italian countryside living into any space.
What are the key elements of Tuscan style?
There are several recognizable elements that define the Tuscan aesthetic:
– Natural materials: Tuscan style heavily utilizes natural materials like stone, wood, wrought iron, terracotta, and woven textures. Wood beams, exposed stone walls, terracotta tile floors, and wrought iron accents are hallmarks of the style.
– Earthy color palette: The colors of Tuscan style are inspired by the hues of the Italian landscape. Burnt orange, warm yellow, deep green, brown, and terracotta are commonly seen. More vibrant accent colors like cerulean blue also pair well with the earth tones.
– Rustic textures: The textures of Tuscany inform the style. Plaster walls, natural wood grain, rough-hewn stone, and aged metals create depth and warmth. Distressed wood finishes and textured rugs add to the rustic appeal.
– Wrought iron and wood accents: Iron light fixtures, candle holders, and decorative accents are prevalent in Tuscan decor. Salvaged wood beams, furniture, shutters, and architectural details also help achieve the rustic look.
– Country craftsmanship: Furnishings and architectural elements with visible craftsmanship reflect Italy’s rich history of artisanal design. Hand-carved cabinetry, ornamental woodworking, detailed tile and metalwork, and textiles with embroidery create an authentic, handmade feel.
What are some key features of Tuscan interior design?
Some of the most popular interior design features of Tuscan decor include:
– Exposed wood beam ceilings: Wooden ceiling beams are a quintessential Tuscan design element. They can be structural or purely decorative. Exposed beam ceilings instantly create a rustic, countryside feel.
– Stone or brick walls: Tuscan-style homes use existing brick or stone walls or faux treatments to mimic an aged, Mediterranean look. Exposed natural stone and textural brick bring organic richness to a space.
– Archways and columns: Round archways crafted from wood or stone lend an Italian villa aesthetic. Columns made of stone, brick, or carved wood also enhance the Tuscan charm.
– Terracotta tile floors: The Tuscan region is known for its iconic terracotta tiles. Natural clay tiles in earth tones like red, brown, and orange are an authentic, low-maintenance flooring choice for this style.
– Heavy wood furnishings: Tables, beds, cabinets, and shelving made from distressed, reclaimed wood match the raw, organic nature of Tuscan decor. Non-fussy wood furniture with visible markings fits right in.
– Wrought iron accents: Iron lighting fixtures, candle holders, railings, and decorative accents bring traditional Italian craftsmanship to a space. Wrought iron complements both the heavy wood and natural stone elements.
What are the main color schemes in Tuscan style?
Tuscan color schemes derive from the warm, sun-drenched landscapes of Italy. They create a cohesive palette when used together in a space:
– Earth tones: Burnt orange, olive green, warm yellow, deep red, creamy brown and all natural earth tones are staples of Tuscan design. They reflect the colors found in clay, wood, and stone.
– Neutrals: Beiges, browns, warm grays, and ivories ground a space with a neutral base. They allow the bolder earth tones and accents to stand out.
– Blue accents: Vibrant cerulean blue in small accents provides an energizing pop of color. Blue shutters, tiles, antiques, and decorative pillows keep the palette from feeling too heavy.
– Green accents: Mossy greens and sage tones pulled from Tuscan vineyards and olive groves can accent the deeper base colors. Green pottery, textiles, and antique glassware add life.
– Metallic accents: Aged metal finishes like bronze, copper, and iron inject metallic flair. Wrought iron fixtures, hammered metal table tops, and patinated antiques catch the light.
What types of flooring work well in Tuscan style?
Tuscan-style flooring should have an organic, old-world look. Popular options include:
– Terracotta tiles: Iconic Italian terra cotta tiles are a top choice for an authentic Tuscan floor. Their earthy reds, oranges and browns work beautifully.
– Stone flooring: Natural stone like travertine, limestone, and marble make an elegant statement. Stone is prevalent in Tuscan architecture, so it translates well indoors.
– Wood flooring: Weathered hardwoods, reclaimed woods, and rustic engineered options with visible knots and cracks add character. Oak is a classic choice.
– Wood-look tile: Wood-look ceramic or porcelain tiles can mimic weathered hardwood but are more durable and practical, especially for kitchens and high-traffic areas.
– Cement tile: Italian cement tiles called cementine feature hand-painted patterns. Their worn, European charm fits the Tuscan style beautifully.
– Brick flooring: Brick is a Tuscan style staple. Real or faux brick instantly creates an Old World feel. Herringbone layouts are a popular choice.
What are some ways to add color to a Tuscan space?
Beyond using bold earth tones on walls, floors and furnishings, some creative ways to inject color into a Tuscan interior include:
– Vibrant textiles: Pillows, blankets, tablecloths and upholstery in saturated hues like cerulean blue, sunflower yellow and tomato red enliven the neutral palette.
– Patterned tiles: Handmade, hand-painted tiles as backsplashes, bathroom accents, or medallions provide pops of color and artistry.
– Botanical accents: Fresh greenery, floral arrangements, wreaths and potted plants in terracotta add organic color. Dried botanicals in sunny yellows, greens and blues also energize.
– Colored glassware: Vintage glassware in deep greens, blues and ruby reds makes a cheerfully colorful display for kitchens or bars.
– Painted furniture: Distressed wooden furniture hand-painted in playful accent colors puts a Tuscan spin on shabby chic charm.
– Vibrant artwork: Gallery walls displaying modern or contemporary art, as well as richly colored Tuscan landscape paintings, create pools of color.
How do you create a cohesive Tuscan exterior?
Some key elements for bringing Tuscan exterior style together into a cohesive look include:
– Natural stone: Stone architectural accents, exposed stone walls, and stone chimneys establish the organic Tuscan style.
– Wooden shutters: Green, brown or iron-accented shutters on windows reinforce the rustic feel. Shutters are a classic Tuscan facade detail.
– Wrought iron: Decorative wrought iron railings on balconies, gates and exterior lighting fixtures add ornate, handcrafted detail.
– Terracotta pots: Plants, herbs and greenery in terra cotta pots line courtyards, walkways and entryways with a pop of color.
– Arches: Rounded arches made of brick or stone over doors, gates and alcoves create architectural interest and Old World charm.
– Exterior beams: Dark wooden ceiling beams under porticos, eaves and balconies mimic the interior beam look outside.
– Neutral color palette: Sticking to a cohesive exterior color scheme of warm whites, beiges, browns and earth tones pulls the look together.
– Rustic landscaping: Gravel and stone pathways through informal gardens, olive trees, wildflowers and vines cultivate an organic landscape.
What are the main differences between Tuscan style and Mediterranean style?
Though Tuscan style takes inspiration from Mediterranean design, there are a few key differences:
| Tuscan Style | Mediterranean Style |
|---|---|
| Prominent use of terracotta and tile | Predominately white or whitewashed walls |
| Rich earth tones | Blue, yellow and teal pops of color |
| Wrought iron accents | Wicker and rattan furnishings |
| Wood beam ceilings | Vaulted ceilings |
| Rustic, imperfect materials | Crisp, clean-lined furnishings |
While both share inspiration from Italy and the surrounding Mediterranean region, Tuscan design stays more grounded in a specific rustic, countryside aesthetic rather than the breezy coastal look of Mediterranean style. The elegance of Tuscan decor comes from its imperfections and embrace of natural artisanal elements over pristine finishes.
What are some tips for decorating a kitchen in Tuscan style?
The kitchen is often the heart of a Tuscan home. To get the look:
– Incorporate terracotta tile floors and backsplashes for pops of warmth. Introduce blue, yellow or green tiles as accents.
– Use natural materials like marble, granite, limestone or wood for countertops. Distressed wood or carved stone islands fit right in.
– Add arched architectural details. Try a vaulted brick arch over the range or arched windows and doorways opening into the kitchen.
– Hang wrought iron pendant lights over the kitchen island for rustic, handcrafted lighting.
– Display ceramic ware, copper pots and fresh herbs for an authentic, Italian countryside vibe.
– Include a large farmhouse-style sink and carved wood countertops around it to create a visual focal point.
– Use exposed wood beams on the ceiling and a stone fireplace or cooktop on one wall to ground the space.
– Opt for cabinetry with visible wood grains and imperfections. Unstained, naturally weathered woods work beautifully.
– Upholster barstools and built-in banquettes in warm, Tuscan-inspired earth tones and patterns.
Conclusion
Tuscan style brings the warmth and rustic elegance of Italy’s idyllic countryside into any interior or exterior space. It celebrates natural textures, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a palette inspired by the rolling Tuscan landscape. By incorporating key features like stone and wood architectural details, wrought iron accents, terracotta floors, and neutrals punched up with bold earth tones, designers and homeowners alike can bask in la dolce vita. Tuscan style continues to feel on-trend while still evoking enduring, traditional comfort.
