Mary Freeland | January 29, 2010
Perhaps the most striking feature of modern Tuscan architecture is its blend of old and new elements. From thriving Tuscan cities like Florence and Siena to country estates and quiet hamlets, the historic remnants from different eras of the past coexist peacefully and beautifully.
Mary Freeland | December 4, 2009
With its somewhat chaotic history of warring factions, absorption by neighboring cultures, and transfer from one powerful empire to the next, many of Tuscany’s oldest structures one served as fortifications. Interestingly, it’s this military history that gave birth to one of the distinctive décor features of Tuscan design: decorative ironwork, grilles, and screens. Once serving [...]
Mary Freeland | November 21, 2009
You don’t have to go to the extreme of building a stone house, but adding stone details to your Tuscan décor can help create a sense of rustic elegance and authentic Mediterranean style. But before you dip into your retirement for the funds to put in a marble floor, why not consider these easy—and less expensive—options for including stone in your Tuscan home.
Mary Freeland | November 14, 2009
A common complaint from husbands is that their wives’ decorating taste is too “girly” or “frilly.” Flowers, ruffles, and elaborate Victorian furniture can be off-putting to the men in your family. Of course, if most guys had their way, our living rooms would be full of hunting trophies and sports paraphernalia…
Mary Freeland | November 5, 2009
One of the hallmarks of Tuscan design is simplicity: unadorned natural materials, uncomplicated color palettes, and straightforward lines. It also means no clutter, mess, or disorder. By not overdoing it, Tuscan décor provides the inspiration for a comfortable, serene home.
Mary Freeland | October 23, 2009
Tuscan design is all about creating unity between the natural world and the interior of your home, about knocking down the walls that separate us from the beauty of the outdoors… Of course, you could literally demolish your walls, but a simpler—and certainly warmer during the winter months—solution is to use natural elements and scenery in your decorating scheme.
Mary Freeland | October 8, 2009
In recent weeks we’ve been talking a lot about Tuscan design furniture and accents, but not a whole lot about art itself. So today I want to highlight the two primary categories of Tuscan art—landscapes and metal scrollwork, emphasizing how they can play a big roll in your Tuscan home décor!
Mary Freeland | October 3, 2009
There are myriad reasons an individual may be drawn to a particular decorating scheme or style, from personal taste to family history and more, but I’d like to highlight a few of the general reasons that more and more people are being drawn to the colors, accents, and classic home furnishings of Tuscany for their homes.
Mary Freeland | September 18, 2009
From gorgeous vases to stunning earthenware plates, Tuscan design pottery is the perfect finishing touch for your Italian-inspired décor. The Tuscan home is all about food and family, and incorporating pottery dinnerware and accents into your decorating can emphasize the importance of these in your home as well. With a great selection of dinnerware, vases, platters, bowls, mugs, accents, and more, there’s a huge range of options when you want to add Tuscan pottery to your décor…
Mary Freeland | August 21, 2009
The same Tuscan design that’s perfect for your interior decorating can also make the outdoor spaces of your home seem cozy and inviting. Using earth tones, natural materials, and time-worn pieces, your outdoor Tuscan décor is an attractive, laid-back way to complement your landscaping and create that ideal outdoor retreat. By simply adding outdoor accents [...]
