Home Improvement Information

Tuscan Style Decorating For The Kitchen


A Tuscan decorating theme can put some old world charm into your kitchen and make it a warm homey room to gather in. The Tuscan style incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents to create a time worn look. Although the look is of a centuries old kitchen you can achieve it without having to buy priceless antiques.

Color

The colors mimic those of the Tuscan landscape - rich golds, earthtones and even tones from the sea mingle together for this look of old Italy. Buy some majolica pottery (either new or old) and use those colors to influence your wall and floor choices. Using natural materials like stone, slate, granite or terra cotta for your flooring and countertops will help complete the look. Try some faux painting on your walls to give it the look of antique plaster.

Lighting

Think old world in your lighting and stay away from new or modern styles. Some nice antique looking wrought iron lights will be right in style. It's OK to also have recessed lighting for your task lights, but choose your pendant lights or chandeliers carefully. Stay away from anything too shiny and stick with muted metals.

Accessories

You can buy accessories like those you might find in a Tuscan kitchen brand new today, or you can scour the antique shops to get real antiques. Look for old pottery bowls and pitchers as well as painted or antiqued wooden bowls. Majolica makes a nice addition to a Tuscan style kitchen and you can buy whole sets of this pottery new today and use it for everyday use. Use lots of decorative jars of oils with peppers and ropes of garlic, peppers and grape vines. Antique look signs with a wine motif can add to the wall decor as can wallpaper murals in the form of Italian frescos and niches. Soften it up with lots of greenery.

Furniture

You want your furniture to have an old world look. Chunky wood tables with chippy or distressed paint go nice. A distressed wooden cupboard (perhaps with chicken wire doors) can give you some extra storage and add to the look if you have the space. Display your majolica or old world pottery behind the chicken wire to authenticate the look.

Decorating a Tuscan kitchen can be a lot of fun. You can get the look with brand new accessories, or if you enjoy collecting antiques, you can scour the flea markets and antique malls for those perfect pieces. Either way, you will be creating a kitchen with charm and character.

Lee Dobbins is owner of A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can find more on kitchen decorating themes and decorating ideas for every budget.


MORE RESOURCES:

Sector roundup: Home improvement stores, handsets
Forbes, NY - Sep 5, 2008
AP 09.05.08, 2:16 PM ET CHICAGO (AP) - An analyst on Friday said economic forces weighing on home improvement chains The Home Depot Inc. (nyse: HD - news ...


Home improvement in US remains in slump
Seattle Times, United States - 13 hours ago
A new Harvard study suggests that home-improvement activity will continue to decline nationally in early 2009. By Alan J. Heavens There were predictions as ...


Home improvement winners
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - 12 hours ago
Earlier this year, after seeing an ad, Erin McIntyre debated whether to enter the Better Homes and Gardens Home Improvement Challenge. ...


7 am 28 Today Home improvement mistakes. (N)
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA - 16 hours ago
9 am 22 The Early Show A recap of “Stand Up to Cancer”; stars from “Paranormal States”; overcoming painful break-ups; gadgets that help people take better ...


Man arrested during home improvement fraud investigation
The Daily Advocate, OH - 20 hours ago
UNION CITY, Ind. - Union City, Ind., Police officers arrested 28-year-old John Henry Stanley of Gaston, Ind., for several felony warrants on Aug. 28. ...


New license required for home improvement work
Nashoba Publishing, MA - Sep 5, 2008
By Anne O'Connor STATEWIDE -- Planning a home improvement project soon? Starting in October, Massachusetts will require many contractors to obtain a new ...


American Chronicle

Wood Stoves & Home Improvement
American Chronicle, CA - Sep 5, 2008
If you're interested in home improvement, alternative heating methods, or fuel efficiency, you've probably heard about the new performance standards and ...


The Business Desk

Simplicity in construction - the building of a home improvement empire
The Business Desk, UK - Sep 5, 2008
By Anastasia Weiner - Business Correspondent WHEN Craig Miller joined the Household Cavalry little did he know that his destiny was more home improvements ...


Boston Globe

Lowe’s opening new home improvement store at Alamo Ranch
Bizjournals.com, NC - Aug 21, 2008
Inc. is set to open the home improvement retailer’s newest store in San Antonio. Mooresville, NC-based Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) will open its new store at Alamo ...
Rebuilding at Home Improvement Stores? Motley Fool
Home improvement won't improve quickly MarketWatch
Home improvement retailers fall with Home Depot Forbes
Xinhua - CNNMoney.com
all 707 news articles


Check Out Line: Hope for home improvement
Reuters UK, UK - Sep 2, 2008
“Stabilization” might be a stretch. But Goldman noted that home sales fell 15.5 percent in July, following a 17.9 percent decline in June. ...
Lowe's Rises Most in 5 Months After Goldman Recommends Buying Bloomberg
all 2 news articles

Home-Improvement - Google News

home | site map
© 2006