Welcome to Valenchi Construction CGC1531626 - Call (352) 405-5445 or (352) 405-6450
Welcome to Valenchi Construction CGC1531626 - Call (352) 405-5445 or (352) 405-6450
Italy, in Florence and Tuscany in particular, was the founding nation of the Renaissance artistic cultural and social movement which swept across Europe at the time.
Italian Renaissance/Tuscan interior design refers to the furnishing, decorations, and decorative arts in Italy during the Renaissance period (mid-14th century to late-16th century).
Influences from the French and Spanish countryside are largely felt, plus influences from the Renaissance period of the Middle Ages are present as well.
What defines tuscan style
Contrary to the styles dominant at the densely ornamented classical eras before and during the Renaissance, Tuscan interior style is minimalist. Using less furniture, only essential pieces needed are used. That is obviously clear in the old palaces of Florence and elsewhere, like the Palazzo Davanzati and Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. Tuscan style gives a warm, rustic feeling, like a grandparents’ house, as one enters a Tuscan house.
Use of natural materials
Tuscan design uses only natural materials that are available in abundance in Italy, avoiding the addition of modern building materials, like porcelain, reconstituted wood, composite tiles, and others.
Homes decorated in the Tuscan decorating style are inspired by the elements of nature. Crumbling stone walls, intricately wrought iron accessories, sun-washed hillsides, rustic stone farmhouses, marble flooring and sturdy hardwood furniture are just some of the wonderful elements of this decorating style.
Because almost anyone can visualize himself in such a peaceful setting, it's no wonder that Tuscan style decorating is so popular for today's homes. The appeal lies in its simplicity. By combining comfortable, worn, loved pieces, a room becomes warm and inviting. There's no attempt at pretense here.
From ancient Roman times, people moved to the beautiful hills of central Italy to remove themselves from city life, escape the intrigue of politics, and embrace the idealized culture of the country. They enjoyed the beauty of nature and incorporated the elements into their villas. These same elements are what makes Tuscan style decorating so appealing for our homes today.
From the exterior, the traditional Tuscan home is built of sandstone or limestone, using the natural materials found in this area of Italy which are available in a wide range of hues. Terracotta roof tiles can be seen everywhere in Tuscany.
In the interior, using sturdy materials that stand the test of time, the look of Tuscan style decorating is rustic, warm, and inviting. Nothing should look shiny and new. Deep-set windows framed by sandstone are often protected with rustic wooden shutters.
Outdoor spaces are critically important, and a home incorporating Tuscan style decorating must include a patio, loggia, or portico. Walls built of sandstone bricks frame today's home, where in ancient times they served as a defense.
Water is a critical element in Tuscan style decorating, and many homes have a water fountain in the central courtyard surrounded by beautiful, wildly growing greenery.
Marble statues grace outdoor spaces. Tall, graceful cypress trees sway in the breeze.
Walkways, driveways, and garden paths are set with stone or brick. Nature takes its course and grass grows up between the stones. How charming! The outdoors is brought into a home decorated in the Tuscan style. Woods, stone, and color are important elements.
Building Stones
For exterior stones, Italian architects and artists used Pietra Forte, a typical stone of Florence that has given medieval Florence its character. It is a hard limestone, yellow in color, largely used in Tuscany and particularly in Florence on the facades of palaces. Examples include Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Antinori, Medici, and Strozzi. Pietra Forte has an elegant and fresh look, and is still is largely used in Italy, quarries are in the hills north of Florence (Fiesole and Maiano).
For interior stones, a grey-colored sandstone called Pietra Serena, known for its strength and elegance, was especially used abundantly in architectural details in Renaissance Florence, such as large monolithic columns, arches, and large fireplaces in historic buildings interiors. It is also found in Fiesole, Arezzo, Cortona, and Volterra.
Nevertheless, Brunelleschi, the famous Italian architect and artist, was the first to use Pietra Serena for the exterior facades of the Hospital of the Innocents in Florence (Ospedale degli Innocenti) and in Michelangelo’s Medici Chapel. After Brunelleschi, architects started using it for exteriors and interiors.
Nowadays, it is used in the restoration of historic centers. It’s also used for paving stones in streets, the cladding of old buildings, as well as internal stairs and wall cladding.
Stone Tiles
Terracotta, found throughout Tuscany, is fired red and brown earth clay. Giving your home a Tuscan-inspired look begins with architectural elements such as terracotta floor tiles and roof tiles.
Natural stone such as travertine, marble, granite, and limestone are used as building materials for floors and countertops.
Tile mosaics are common for kitchen backsplashes and courtyard fountains.
Marble
which is also found in abundance near Tuscany is used for decorative interior details such as flooring, arches, and pillars.
Ceiling (Natural Raw Wooden Beams/Frescos)
Used largely during the Renaissance period in palaces and homes, this particular style of ceiling is still used today.
Raw dark wooden beams are standard features of a traditional Tuscan ceiling, creating a rustic contrast with the smooth light-colored plaster walls.
Frescos, painted designs such as clouds or angels, are frequently used to decorate ceilings in foyers and dining rooms, and are omnipresent in historic buildings, palaces, public places and more in Florence.
Natural stone walls are left natural. Stuccoed walls are colored with Venetian plaster, color washing or faux painting techniques to give a worn, well-loved look.
Walls are usually painted with earth tone colors and neutral shades. The creamy shade of worn out plaster is very trendy nowadays.
Fabrics
Mainly white or light fabrics are used for upholstery, curtains, bed covers, tablecloths, etc., giving a fresh feeling of cleanliness and lightness.
Furniture
Wrought iron is largely used in Tuscany in items from coffee tables to side tables, chairs, and beds. Indoor and outdoor furniture is mainly made of wrought iron painted in white or other light colors. They can be antiqued a little bit or left plain.
Crude wooden pieces are inevitable, from old desks to chest of drawers and benches at the end of beds. Sofas with minimal design and white fabric covers are a main element in Tuscan designed houses.
Chandeliers, candelabras, and fireplaces are just as important when it comes to defining Tuscan style, not to mention the importance of an old antique rug under the white sofa.
True old Tuscan style rooms can have low ceilings and can be small and dark. But today's Tuscan rooms use wooden beams, plastered ceilings, and can have an open, airy feeling. Windows are left uncovered to take advantage of natural light.
Wooden surfaces such as cupboards, door and window frames, shutters or ceiling beams are often left with a natural patina. Colors in Tuscan style decorating come from the earth.
Terracotta, brick, ochre, greens, and golden yellow are seen everywhere. Blue and green are added to contribute a visually cooling effect in areas with hot weather. Surfaces that have been painted add a dash of color even when the finish wears off.
Often walls are painted with a soft white or gray, while accent colors and natural woods and stone provide the interest.
Homes incorporating a Tuscan style decor often use flooring of wide wood planks, timber boards, rough stone, unevenly-colored terracotta bricks, or clay tiles. Antique rugs add warmth and color.
Open cupboards and armoires are found in almost any room and are used for dishes, linens, and clothes. Door fronts are often left open with chicken wire.
No Tuscan style kitchen is complete without a long, family-style wooden table.
Open shelves and free-standing cupboards provide storage in a Tuscan style kitchen and a place to display ceramics and pottery. A kitchen sink is made of natural stone or porcelain.
Cabinet and sink hardware are often of dark wrought iron. Install a copper range hood surrounded by tumbled marble tiles at the stove area.
Display copper pots from a wrought iron rack, use terracotta containers as accents and storage and add color with majolica dinnerware.
Incorporate Tuscan themes to accent your kitchen with displays of pasta in glass jars, a braid of onions or garlic, jars of olives, and flowers.
The natural elements of stone, wood, water, and color are essential in any Tuscan style home.
By using all of the elements, you're sure to achieve this look that feels warm and welcoming.
For design consultations on achieving a forever tuscan atmosphere in your home, contact us for a free consultation.
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