Bringing the Outdoors in: Tuscan Décor Is Firmly Grounded in the Local Countryside and Landscape
Posted By Mary Freeland on February 5, 2010
Tucked between the Mediterranean Sea and the Apennines Mountains of central Italy, Tuscany is a region balanced between craggy mountains and tranquil sea. With this stunning contrast between land and water, it’s no wonder that Tuscans turned to the great outdoors for inspiration when it came to decorating the indoors! Making its mark on everything from materials to colors to decorative motifs, the vibrant Tuscan countryside is perhaps the most central element of all in authentic Tuscan décor.
Simply look out the window of any Tuscan villa, and you’ll be overwhelmed by the simple beauty of this land. Towering peaks slope down into the hilly plains that make up most of the region, while the warm, blue water of the Mediterranean meets the land in a series of alternately rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. Encircled by the mountains and the sea, fields of grain, olives, grapes, and even vegetables and sunflowers roll across the terrain. With its strong agricultural emphasis, Tuscany has integrated stylized versions of regional crops into its art, architecture, and style. Look closely at the botanical motifs adorning carved tables, painted earthenware, and other traditional decorative furnishings and you may be able to pick out curling grape vines, blooming flowers, and even images of the landscape itself.
Highlighting simple, natural beauty, the influence of the Tuscan landscape can be seen in virtually every part of Tuscan décor. Overlaid on top of the historical silhouettes and lines of Etruscan and Roman architecture, the colors, details, and materials of the Tuscany countryside combine to create what we know today as Tuscan design. A rich union of time and place, Tuscan style fully incorporates its surroundings into harmonious, gorgeous décor!
For great ideas and beautiful furnishings, check out Tuscan Home Décor and Design. Our online shop has everything you need to bring the Tuscan countryside into your home—wherever it may be!
I love how the feel of the outdoors in your home can be so calming and inviting.