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