FAQs

General Tuscan Decorating Questions

Here are some general questions about Tuscan decorating, answered by our interior designer, Linda.

How can I get started? That seems to be the hardest thing to do.

There is an order of things to be done. Sometimes there are priorities in your own home—whether a new construction or a renovation. With a new construction, specify your materials. That means, know what you want in order to create a Tuscan decorating theme. You need inspiration and direction. Use a guide (our eBook, Decorating in the Tuscan Style, is just such a help).

With an existing home, your renovation can be more “orderly” and planned. When you’re living in the home, though, a renovation can sometimes be more complicated. How do you work around a major kitchen project, for example? And perhaps the hardest thing is imagining doing it all yourself.

First, make a plan—list the things to be done—floors, upholstery, draperies, walls, furnishings…. Ideally, if you’re not using the room, it’s much easier to plug away at finishing it. If it is a functional room, like a kitchen or bathroom, you likely want and need the work done in a timely fashion.

You can get all kinds of help with basic renovations. We highly recommend you get professional advice on design plans, materials, time frame…. However, being persistent, you can create a Tuscan style in your home.

Should I begin with furniture design, paint, etc.? If it’s paint, then what colors? Is it just painted on in the normal fashion, or is there some technique? How do I do that technique?

You can start with paint—it is the most flexible decorating element you can add to a room because you can always match paint to your furnishings. The Tuscan paint palette is amazing. Colors are important, so important that we’ve put together a palette as a guide.

If you have a Tuscan inspiration piece (discussed in the eBook, Decorating in the Tuscan Style) you can always keep working with it throughout the renovation to find complementary colors to add to your Tuscan décor. If you’re only decorating with paint, then, of course, you start, and finish, with paint.

Techniques will always give more of a Tuscan look. Techniques such as faux plaster and Venetian finishes can give a wall an old-world, aged appearance (see our eBook for a thorough discussion of wall treatments) however, you can use paint alone to get that inspirational Tuscan feeling.

How do I make my modern kitchen look Tuscan? If a woman from Tuscany lived in my house, what would she change and what would she add?

Most modern kitchens have a strong, “hard” appearance. We want to soften some lines—in a Tuscan kitchen, everything has an old-world look. Add a special piece (e.g. buffet and hutch) that has an aged look. Keep adding more items, e.g. picture frames, a stone (marble, granite, quartz) countertop, “antique-looking” faucets and hardware…. Add face molding to your existing cabinets and some texture to the walls. Paint will do wonders. At some point, you’ll experience a decided Tuscan style to the room.

I’m looking for Tuscan Style on a budget! I’d like some inexpensive decorating ideas.

Don’t we all! The most bang for your buck is always paint. And if you can paint it yourself, it’s a real bargain. As well, adding some fabric to the room adds a Tuscan feel. It sometimes doesn’t take much to create Tuscan decor. Think wrought iron—tables, wall features. Consider some decorative hardware (door hinges and pulls, drapery hardware, even door handles can Tuscanize a room). Add some large potted plants in terracotta pots.

I want some good ideas for decorating the patio/deck.

Think wrought iron for furniture to create that Tuscan style. Potted plants in terracotta pots (or that gorgeous majolica—Italian pottery) can be moved around (even from inside to out!). Consider concrete or stone yard sculptures. Add a fountain and plant-draped trellis, the latter in wrought iron. Some tile, either on the deck or walls will add Tuscan interest.

Does the book tell you where to purchase Tuscan items? That’s what I find to be the hard part. Darlene

Do you have a source for purchasing Tuscan decorative items and dishes? Tabatha

At this time there is only the eBook available. The eBook does not have information on where to buy items but we are looking at the possibility of working with online retailers to provide places to find items of Tuscan decor.

I am interested in faux painting techniques, e.g. polished plaster…stone effects. Carole

Because wall finishing is such an important part of Tuscan decor, we’ve devoted a whole chapter in our eBook, Decorating in the Tuscan Style, to this topic.

We not only cover painting techniques but also texturing (e.g. Venetian plaster), wall coverings, borders and wallpaper, stencils & wall tattooing, murals & frescoes, tile & mosaics, artwork & tapestries. We also provide links to websites that have lots of how-to information about using the Tuscan decorating techniques we show.

I am finding that there isn’t…much information on color…. I would love to have more solid information other than “burnt orange” or “terra cotta.” What shades of reds, golds, browns and greens? How dark? How light? How to put them together in one room? I would love to have more detailed info for a starting point. I love the beauty and warmth of the Tuscan look. You have an awesome site. Lea

It’s all about the color in Tuscan décor! It’s important to understand the colors used in Tuscan style and to be aware of such considerations as the light exposure in your room. We’ve devoted several chapters in our eBook, Decorating in the Tuscan Style, to this very important topic.

Our bonus report, “The Psychology of Color” (yours free when you purchase the eBook) discusses the influence and effect of color in our lives. One of the simplest techniques for deciding on a Tuscan color theme is to choose an “inspiration piece”—some Tuscan artwork, majolica pottery, a colorful scarf from a trip to Tuscany, etc.—that you can build your Tuscan palette around by determining your primary and secondary (accent) colors. This is an insider trick that professional interior designers and decorators use, and it works! This “trick” will give you a personal Tuscan color palette.

We’ve also included a palette of Tuscan style colors from a major paint manufacturer so you can just go into the store with your choices and pick up your paint.

I have long wanted to re-do the outside of my home with a Tuscan flair. I need advice on colors for exterior painting, adding stone to the outside of the home, doors, railings, fences, patio etc. How to make the outside of my home resemble a Tuscan style home? Roma

In our eBook, Decorating in the Tuscan Style, we have lots of pictures to provide inspiration and ideas for interior and exterior decorating:

• Chapter 3, “Understanding Architectural Home Styles” may be of interest to you—it outlines a number of styles that are conducive to Tuscan style.
• Chapter 4, “The Colors of Tuscan Design,”could also be helpful. We have even included a Tuscan color chart to assist individuals with making color choices.
• Chapter 12, “Tuscan Living—Inside and Out,” gives some great ideas of how to “accessorize” your Tuscan style home.

For a comprehensive approach to Tuscan decor, check out our 162 page eBook, Decorating in the Tuscan Style, for loads of ideas, planning forms, how tos and photos—lots and lots of pictures. The eBook provides tips and techniques to get you started and to keep you going with your Tuscan decorating project.

To download your copy of the 162-page eBook, Decorating in the Tuscan Style, click below:
 

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