Turquoise and Azure: the Sea and Sky in Tuscan Style and Design

Mary Freeland | March 12, 2010

Oftentimes Tuscan palettes get stuck on the colors of the earth—golden fields, green trees, and red soil—and forget the balancing tones of the calming sea and sky. For a truly harmonious Tuscan home, it’s important to integrate all the colors of the Tuscan landscape, including blues, into your design.

Vibrant Orange and Vivid Red: Terra-Cotta in Tuscan Décor

Mary Freeland | March 6, 2010

When you’re imagining the perfect Tuscan landscape, what color stands out the most? In many cases, it’s the rusty hues of the terra-cotta colored soil of the fields. The same goes for most Tuscan living rooms—the color that jumps out in small bursts is the rich red of painted pottery, wall art details, and more.

Balanced Harmony and Simple Beauty Take Center Stage in Tuscan Décor

Mary Freeland | February 21, 2010

Simply filling your home to overflowing with Mediterranean-inspired materials, art, and motifs won’t bring your home that warm and inviting Tuscan feel. Balance is the key in any decor style!

Nature Is Everywhere in Tuscan Décor: Natural Materials Dominate for Furnishings and Construction!

Mary Freeland | February 12, 2010

Walk into a Tuscan home, and you’re probably treading on a floor of local stone. Admire a Tuscan table or shelf, and you’re likely looking at a wood harvested nearby. Eat a meal on Tuscan pottery and your plate will often be made from local clay and decorated with olive branches, flowers, or grapevines—just like view out the window.

Tuscan Warmth

Mary Freeland | February 10, 2010

Keeping with Tuscan traditions the offerings on the table change with the seasons. Today we share with you two warming and traditional winter soups. We hope they help you to bring the warmth of a Tuscan winter meal into your home.

Bringing the Outdoors in: Tuscan Décor Is Firmly Grounded in the Local Countryside and Landscape

Mary Freeland | 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!

Antipasti

Mary Freeland | February 3, 2010

Bringing elements of Tuscany into your home through design and decor creates a warm, relaxed atmosphere whilst also being both inviting and elegant. This holds true for bringing the foods of Italy’s breadbasket to your table. Tuscany has been an agrarian society since before the Roman era. In this fertile cypress tree and vineyard dotted [...]

Renaissance Influences on Tuscan Style

Mary Freeland | January 22, 2010

If Tuscan design has its foundations in Etruscan architecture, then you can think of the Renaissance period as the time when the details were added and the rough edges were smoothed out. Following the so-called Dark Ages, the Renaissance was a period of cultural rebirth.

Ring in the New Year With Tuscan Color and Cheer

Mary Freeland | January 9, 2010

The start of a new year is a time for celebration, resolutions, and reflection. As you look back on 2009 and head into the beginning of a new decade, what better time is there to redecorate your home with the style, color, and cheer of the Tuscan countryside.

Tuscan Accents and Accessories Make Great Christmas Gifts

Mary Freeland | December 6, 2009

Looking for the ideal gift for your mother, sister, or best friend? Why not consider beautiful, elegant Tuscan decorating accessories. A perfect addition to any décor, Mediterranean-inspired accents and accessories are a great idea for the fashion-minded friends and relatives on your list!