| By Mr.Andrew Caxton | | | | hallmark of the more eastern style not known before |
| How to achieve the Tuscan look in decorating for | | | | in Europe. Some of the planters or pedestals for |
| your home. What are the main elements that define | | | | vases show decidedly Greek influence in the way |
| Tuscan style in terms of colors, textures and | | | | they are made. What has become known as the |
| materials. The foundation of Tuscan style is the use | | | | Tuscan style is really a mixture of many different |
| of earthy colors such as ochre, brick and olive and | | | | styles from the ancient world. Furniture especially |
| deep green. These colors depict the life of Tuscany, | | | | reflects the influences of Greek and Roman |
| with the rich farm fields of deep earth, the olive | | | | architecture mixed with Renaissance style: legs of |
| trees and poplars, and the stucco colors of the | | | | tables and chairs that are made like columns, with |
| buildings. In Tuscan design, deep colors such as this | | | | backs of chairs carved more in the Renaissance style. |
| are mixed with muted beiges and yellows to form a | | | | The geometric lines of Gregor-Roman design mixes |
| lovely variegated palette. The paintings that depict | | | | easily with the ornate touches of ornamentation and |
| the area will have beautiful terraces of green fields, | | | | curves that the Renaissance is known for. Many |
| lined with poplars and sprinkled with small Tuscan | | | | times, a Tuscan design will include a top made of |
| farmhouses in the earthy tones of the region. The | | | | mosaics. Table tops, floors and walls may include a |
| roots of this style are from the fourteenth century, | | | | design that depicts a scene, but it is executed in |
| when a great shift in European architecture occurred. | | | | stones, or small pieces of glass or pottery. The |
| Giotto and Brunelleschi, architects of that era, learned | | | | influence for this is from Tuscan cathedrals which, in |
| how to build buildings that were taller and stronger. | | | | turn, were inspired by Roman places of worship that |
| Because of this strength, they could be topped with | | | | Had wide use of mosaics. Another important element |
| beautiful domes, even though they seemed to be | | | | of Tuscan design is texture. Marble, rough hewn |
| supported by the most slender of columns. | | | | stone and other similar materials abound. The colors |
| Ornamentation, symmetry and elaborate ironwork | | | | of these elements is particularly popular, with beige |
| became symbolic of this style. Mosaics were used | | | | and tan marble colors, or clay stone colors used |
| extensively to reflect the Roman roots of the area. | | | | extensively. Accessories such as counter tops or |
| A typical Tuscan villa would have incorporated all of | | | | tabletops made from real marble add an authentic |
| these elements. Tuscany was at a crossroads in the | | | | though expensive touch, as does a fireplace made of |
| Roman world, and therefore a center of trade and | | | | rough hewn stone, or a stack of stones arranged |
| commerce. It is no surprise, therefore, that the | | | | artistically in the yard. |
| Tuscan style encompassed touches of style from | | | | Adam Peters is the consultant for . For additional |
| many different regions. Egyptian and Indian influences | | | | information on tuscan style tuscany home decoration |
| can be seen in many of the designs. For instance, | | | | subjects have a look at his web. |
| stools may have bases shaped like an X, which is a | | | | |