Earth colors and natural materials are two staples for the “old world” style of decorating. To get an idea of ​​the colors we are talking about, go for a walk and look at the beautiful colors that surround you, the blue sky, the golden sun, even the chocolate brown of the mud in spring. Ok, so you don’t have a view of the blue/green Mediterranean Sea, but you’ve seen photos of it, haven’t you? On that walk, stroll through the produce department of your local supermarket and check out the deep purple eggplants, red bell peppers, yellow lemons, and green olives. Here are some of the colors you’ll want to consider for your Tuscan decor. Natural materials will include wood (think rustic, sturdy furniture), tile (colorful ceramic for wall accents), natural stone for flooring, and unpolished metals like copper, tin, or pewter for accents.

You probably already have some Tuscan influences in your home. Iron scroll stands, terracotta pots (more on this later), fruit-themed artwork, colorful pottery, copper, pewter, pewter wares, wall hangings – what was old is new! again! Look in your garage, attic, or flea markets for some of these items.

What could be simpler than lining a sunny windowsill with some pretty terracotta pots of Italian herbs (oregano, basil, sage, etc.)? Do you have a section of wrought iron railing that once graced your front porch? Bring it in, clean it up and get creative. Maybe you could use it to hang pots in the kitchen or hang it on the wall for a decorative accent in the living room. How about that old leather upholstered trunk? It can be a great coffee table or storage area. Since colorful mosaic work is essential to the Tuscan style, how about making your own mosaic masterpiece? Just break off a few pieces of old china (wear safety glasses), apply it with tile adhesive to a terracotta pot, old vase, or whatever you choose, let it dry for 24 hours, grout it, and wipe it down with a damp sponge. .

If you’re redoing your walls, a simple way to get that time-honed stucco look is to use Venetian plaster, which is simply drywall compound mixed with latex paint. First, paint the walls a Tuscan color like gold, cream, or even terracotta red. Then spread the plaster on the wall in different thicknesses, let part of the painted wall show through. You can then seal it with a latex sealer if you wish. However, you may want to see wallpapers that mimic this look.

Keep in mind that the idea is to create a warm and comfortable “living” look and you’ll get it using these ideas and a few of your own.