…already feeling stressed, and need a moment’s peace?

Sometimes creating the illusion of tranquility can bring it. Even while the bulk of your home is being invaded by summer toys, beach towels and random neighborhood strays begging for popsicles, remember to hold some ground that remains pristine. Be it an entire room, shaded patio or comfortable corner chair, everyone needs space to unwind.

Creating your “special spot” just requires a bit of imagination. Pear-Sun Designs unique metal mesh prints can provide a focal point for your peaceful home escape. All art offers its viewer a visual escape, and the realistic depth and unsurpassed beauty of these exquisite prints does not disappoint. Use their Venice Canal as a virtual window on your wall, transporting you to soft breezes, gently lapping waters and the steady stroke of the gondoliers paddle. Stretch out and rest your aching feet on a sumptuous ottoman while reaching for your favorite chilled vintage from a handsome wine cooler chest. As gauzy sheers play over an open window, take a moment to recharge before tomorrow’s plunge into the water park or marathon zoo trek.

If you don’t take time for “you”…who else will? Happy Summer!

And the clutter that seemed “cozy” during the cold winter months? Well, that just has to GO.

Luckily, there’s a beautiful way to contain those little room necessities, and keep them neatly out of sight but close at hand. Container sets, such as our Nested Round Boxes with Lids, serve both form and function. The lattice design is fresh, the natural sea grass offers a rustic yet sophisticated feel, and the cutouts make them easily portable and nicely detailed. In three graduated sizes, there’s a place to store everything from knitting yarn and crossword puzzles to a cashmere throw for those chilly evenings.

While storage solutions are a necessity, when thoughtfully chosen to compliment decor they act as harbingers of gracious living. As display pieces these boxes make a impact when grouped together, and provide a lovely backdrop for a table full of family photos or a visual anchor for a soaring floral display. In any of a myriad of uses, this set is a wonderful addition to any Tuscan home!

This year why not consider giving a meaningful gift, one that pays homage to the season, but is so classic it knows no season itself? How about a gift by and of design?

Enter our Belinda Miley Silver Framed Jeweled Cross collage. With it’s rustic charm and eye catching design this piece can be a focal point in a grouping or find a special place of honor in a study or office.

While spring has nearly sprung, and we all welcome it’s arrival, your gifting this Easter or Mother’s day can be something that leaves a lasting impression of the sentiment behind it.

All Belinda Miley shadowboxes are 20% off through March 19!

From blooming bulbs to sunlight streaming through open windows, spring brings beauty and inspiration. Here at Tuscan Home we’ve decided to pay homage to spring by bringing in some of our own muses from the Casa Cristina line.

Over the next few weeks it will be our pleasure to introduce you to the style, beauty and functionality of these inspiring creations. We start with a lovely embossed planter set.

Works of art in their own right, these planters gleam with a warm patina that hearkens to the welcoming terracotta doorways that line the cobblestone roads of many a Tuscany hillside village.

Bring them into your decor and fill them with an evergreen plant. Better yet bring even more of the Tuscan sensibility into your home with a Dwarf Meyer Lemon tree. The fragrant blooms will fill your home with the sweet smell of spring and summer. The tree can become both a focal point and a conversation starter.

Enjoy spending time in the kitchen? How about potting an indoor lavender bush or rosemary. The Casa Cristina planter brings the “taste” while the herbs bring the flavor into your kitchen.

Spring is such a great inspiration for us. What inspires you?

Courtesy of hgtv.com

Bathroom renovations are one of the biggest remodels a homeowner can tackle, with kitchens being number one. But sometimes, they’re just plain necessary! If your bathroom is sporting pink fixtures (thank you, 1950), has damaged or deteriorating tile, or is just in need of a major update, doing a complete Tuscan bathroom renovation can be a great way to add value to your home while spicing up your décor. If you’re planning to redo your bathroom in the Tuscan style, the smartest option is to keep your permanent fixtures (flooring, vanity, tub and commode, etc.) relatively neutral so a style change down the road doesn’t require the full cost and hassle of a comprehensive bathroom renovation.

But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice that authentic Tuscan feel for versatility. Many neutral options will work just as well in your Mediterranean-style décor today as they will in a contemporary design, country chic look, or other decorating scheme years down the road:

• Fixtures: To maintain bathroom functionality that won’t ever be dated, steer clear of colored fixtures. White or cream tubs and commodes are a classic look that always is in style. For Tuscan décor, white can be a little stark, so I typically recommend choosing an ivory or eggshell tone for your bathtub, toilet, and even sink.
• Vanity and countertop: A simple vanity in a dark wood tone will blend in with almost all of the current decorating trends, as will a medium-tone granite countertop. While a repurposed antique dresser might make a big statement in your Tuscan bathroom, it won’t necessarily work as well if you decide to redo your bathroom in a modern style a few years from now… As long as you select a vanity with clean lines and a dark stain, it should work as well in your Tuscan space as in any other bathroom décor. You can always change out its look with new hardware to up the Mediterranean feel or if you decide to pick a new décor in the future. For Tuscan bathrooms, my favorite vanity hardware choices are hand-painted ceramic knobs that add a slightly playful look!
• Flooring: Natural stone tile in a sand color is the perfect floor for any bathroom décor. You can dress it up with colorful rugs and bathmats, but at its very essence it’s a natural, durable material that is perfect for Mediterranean style, modern chic, and more.

Courtesy of hgtv.com

These neutral fixtures, vanity, and flooring form the basis of your new Tuscan bathroom by adhering to the design principles of natural materials and colors, but they don’t necessarily “scream” Tuscan. That’s where wall color, linens, accessories, and wall art come in. You can use these elements to turn up the Tuscan design factor, without investing serious time or money into the permanent components of the room. That means, if your style changes later, all you’ll need to do is switch out these easily changeable items and you can create a completely different look for your bathroom. Flexible design makes for versatile, practical décor without having to sacrifice one ounce of style!

Tuscan Home Décor & Design is your one-stop shop for great Tuscan décor online. Visit us to find accessories, accents, furnishings, and more!

Candles and Lamps

Lighting is the easiest way to create atmosphere, so be sure to use both lamps and candles liberally. By combining both the old-world need for candles with the convenience of modern lights, you can get a great traditional feel in your space. Mixing and matching practical lighting like bedside lamps with purely decorative lights like wall candle sconces can help you find the optimal balance between beauty and function. After all, a bedroom that’s too dark to see in isn’t terribly welcoming! At the same time, too much light can be harsh and uninviting, so opt for soft light from several different lamps and clusters of candles instead of a bright overhead light. Today’s retailers offer a huge selection of Tuscan design lamps of all sizes, so you should be able to find just what you’re looking for to create the ideal lighting scheme for your Tuscan bedroom.

Accessories

Round out your décor with decorative touches for your walls and tabletops. From decorative earthenware ewers and basins (pottery isn’t just for the kitchen!) to mirrors and framed photos, you can create a personalized Tuscan decorating scheme for your bedroom. My favorite part about putting in those finishing touches is that the sky’s the limit for your creativity. As long as each individual item stays within the general scope of Mediterranean design, you can add in all the photo frames, wall art, and accents you like. Don’t over pack the space, but make sure you’ve added enough accessories to make your new Tuscan bedroom feel just like home!

Tuscan Home Décor & Design is your resource for fabulous Tuscan furniture and accents. With our online shop, we’re always open when you’re looking for the very best in Tuscan décor at a great price!

Linens

Having the right bed linens can make a big difference in the overall feel and look of your Tuscan bedroom. That’s because the bed is the focal point of the entire room! While choosing an appropriate head and footboard is important, you can see more of the coverlet and pillows, making them the critical aspect of your Tuscan-style room. But don’t worry: even though bed linens are a make-or-break accessory, there are myriad options available, so you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for. A few key points to remember when choosing Tuscan bed linens include:

• Fabric: Anything manmade is out when it comes to your sheets and comforter. Choose cotton for comfy, breathable sheets and make certain your coverlet is also a natural material. For a Tuscan room, you’ll want to opt for traditional fabrics like silk, cotton, and linen over newer, trendy styles like bamboo.
• Design: Simpler is better when it comes to patterns for your bedspread. I prefer to avoid prints all together and choose textured bed linens instead. Natural silk and linen with the subtle variations caused by slubs (thicker sections of thread) are an elegant, classy option, or you could select a solid-colored cotton quilt with a geometric or botanical motif sewn in.
• Comfort: If any part of your home needs to be cozy, comfortable, and inviting, it’s your bed! One of my favorite tricks for creating a luxurious-looking bed that beckons you to climb on in is to use plenty of pillows. For Tuscan decorating, using a handful of accent pillows in complementary colors and textures can be the ideal finishing touch for your bed linens!

Art

Although large decorative pieces such as wrought-iron screens and landscape paintings can create a lovely focal point, especially over the bed, my favorite trick for bedrooms is to use family photos as art. By using photographs to decorate both walls and tabletops alike, you not only create a sense of harmony and balance in the space, but you also add that splash of cozy comfort and charm. I recommend picking up frames in a variety of sizes and Tuscan finishes and then selecting your favorite images of children, pets, and events. Then just group them as you see fit in wall-mounted displays, on your bedside table, atop a wardrobe or chest… Having your family near will make you feel right at home and with Mediterranean-inspired frames, you can finish out your décor at the same time!

For all of your Tuscan decorating needs, stop by Tuscan Home Décor & Design. We’re your online resource for products, ideas, and more!

A bed is a bed, right? Wrong! While the mattress you chose won’t necessarily impact the overall design of your Tuscan décor, the frame, headboard, and footboard will. If you opt for an ultra-modern platform bed or select contemporary blond wood, your space will feel cutting-edge instead of traditional. On the other hand, if you choose a bedstead in an old-world style—think four poster and sleigh beds—you’ll get that timeworn, classical feel you’re looking for.

Courtesy of CristinaOnline.com

So whether you need a king-size bed for your master suite or a daybed for your guest room, selecting the right headboard can help ensure your Tuscan design stays front and center. Stay focused on natural materials and timeworn style, and you’re sure to find a great bed for your newly designed Tuscan bedroom!

Old-world style furniture. Tuscan earthenware. Mediterranean-inspired wall art. If you’re looking for Tuscan home décor, visit Tuscan Home Décor & Design today!

Outdoor Tuscan dining rooms are perfect for all climates. Obviously, you’ll get the most use out of an al fresco eating area in a temperate climate, but you can also create a Tuscan dining space on a covered patio or screened in porch for comfortable dining in hotter or cooler parts of the country. One way to make sure you get maximum usage out of your outdoor Tuscan dining room is to install a fire pit or fireplace. These features offer rustic style, old-fashioned appeal, and a traditionally Tuscan architectural look in addition to putting out heat. However, even a portable fire pit can help add charm and heat to your Tuscan dining area, so don’t despair if the budget doesn’t include building a new fireplace in your backyard!

Other must-haves for your Mediterranean-inspired outdoor dining experience include:

Table and chairs: Wrought iron is perfect for Tuscan outdoor spaces, and there are hundreds of styles of durable wrought iron tables and chairs available. For a more rustic look, you can also choose wooden tables and benches or cast stone. Tuscan tables also look great in tile or even marble and granite, all of which are suited to the rigors of the outdoor environment.

Plants: To emphasize the natural aspect of your exterior dining space, make sure that plants abound. One of my favorite tricks is to plant vegetables and kitchen herbs in pots around the patio or porch to bring in that particularly Tuscan feeling. Italian favorites like basil, peppers, and tomatoes are especially good choices, and these plants grow well in just about any climate. For hotter areas, you might want to consider a lemon or olive tree.

Lighting: If you’re planning on dining outside in the evening, make sure you add plenty of Tuscan lighting to your outdoor dining room. Candles are always a beautiful choice for great ambience, and with citronella candles, you can also help keep the pesky mosquitoes away. There are also an increasing variety of outdoor lights available in attractive styles, so if your dining area is alongside the house or on a screened in porch, an outdoor Tuscan chandelier, a pair of sconces, or another light fixture is just the thing.

Tuscan design is all about harmony with nature, so don’t feel like you have to keep your Tuscan design on the inside of your home—enjoy great food and fellowship right in nature itself with a brand-new Tuscan-inspired outdoor dining room!

Tuscan Home Décor & Design is your online source for the best in Tuscan accents, accessories, and furnishings. Check us out for the finishing touches for your Tuscan dining room, indoors or out.

Chandeliers
Overhead lighting is one of the hallmarks of a well-appointed dining room, specifically a chandelier. For Tuscan décor, the trick is to find a chandelier that blends in with the traditions of timeless elegance, natural beauty, and rustic style. When you’re looking for an Italian-inspired light fixture for your dining room, here are a few rules of thumb:
• Wrought-iron, oil-rubbed bronze, and other dark metals work well, but overly shiny metals like brass typically look too new to coordinate with the timeworn nature of Tuscan style.
• Glass, especially frosted, hand-blown, or bubbled types, can add visual interest to a Mediterranean-country style chandelier, but cut crystal is typically too ornate and showy for Tuscan décor.
• Candlestick-style chandeliers offer an antique appearance that can be a great complement for the classic styles and furnishings of your Tuscan dining room.

Candlelight
Candlelight is always a great option when you’re trying to create a softly lit dining atmosphere. Candles also add that feeling of old-fashioned living, perfect for connecting to the traditions of ancient Tuscany. Your options for candelabras and candleholders are extensive, so you should be able to easily find candlesticks that go with the natural, timeless elements of Tuscan style. One creative use for candlelight in your dining room is to put in candle wall sconces. Usually featuring hurricane lamps in wrought iron bases, these unique candleholders create great visual interest as well as Tuscan-style lighting.

But remember, candles alone may not put out enough light, especially for evening meals served after the sun has set. Used together with a beautiful Tuscan chandelier, candles can create atmosphere while the overhead light provides additional illumination!

For Tuscan-style candleholders, furniture, and other accessories, visit Tuscan Home Décor & Design today. We’re your resource for affordable Tuscan décor online.