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Tuscan Style Kitchens

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4th in a series on Tuscan Decorating

 If your dream kitchen includes a large gathering table and chairs or benches to seat the entire family, warm sunshine streaming in through the windows with bold, warm, earthy colors throughout the space, natural elements including wood, tile and stone, you'll be thrilled and thoroughly satisfied with Tuscan kitchen design!

Tuscany style kitchens are strong yet welcoming, bold yet serene. How is this balance achieved? First, by selecting Tuscan kitchen colors, which include those found in nature: reds, burgandys, oranges,yellows, olive green, ivory, turquoise, deep purple,brown and black.

How you use these bold colors depends on your own decorating style and comfort. But know that you can comfortably place just about any of the colors (except black) described above on your walls and remain true to Tuscan kitchen colors and design.  

The bold colors will be balanced by the natural elements used such as tile, plaster, wood beams, stone and wood furniture, usually oak or pine.

Floors should be tile, stone or wood to most closely follow the Tuscan kitchen design (think of that old Italian kitchen in the country - you know, the one with the chickens strutting around the room and Grandma at the stove preparing the pasta!)

Natural lighting will influence your wall color, although you will want to make sure that you have numerous sources of lighting in your Tuscan kitchen design. Examples include an iron chandelier, under counter lighting, lighting above the cabinetry, brushed pewter lights,etc.

Accessories continue the colorful and bold theme of Tuscan design, and many times include pottery, pewter and copper pieces. Whether you have collected, inherited, antiqued or spent some time at the discount store, your Tuscan kitchen design will include these pieces. Themes and patterns will often include fruit, grapes in particular. Beautifully colored tiles, whether used as a back splash or decoratively, are also found in Tuscan style kitchen decor.

Above all, create a warm and inviting environment for the entire family to enjoy together, and you will have accomplished your Tuscan style kitchen design goal.

Read more about Tuscan Kitchen Design  
 

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Tuscan Bedroom Ideas

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3rd in a series on Tuscan Decorating

 
Tuscan bedroom ideas that will complement your authentic Tuscan decor as well as an updated, colorful Tuscany style bedroom. How are they different?
An authentically designed Tuscan bedroom maintains the simple, natural Tuscan country feel.

Look at the photo above:
  • The floors are tile in this photo, although a wood floor also would be appropriate. Throw rugs made from natural materials could certainly have a place here as well.

  • The walls are white (or cream), with minimal accessories.

  • The ceiling in this room is wood and beam. Other options would include wood beams on a stucco ceiling, or just plain unadorned ceiling.
  • The lighting is in keeping with the room, simple and functional. An iron base would work well, with a shade that is not too elaborate.Antiques are good; track lighting is out.

  • Bed linens and coverings are white or light colored and made of cotton. Almost every bed cover in Tuscan bedrooms is a Matelasse, which is a cotton jacquard fabric. 
  • The furniture is wood and iron with marble and tile accents. Although we can't see the headboard in this photo, it is most likely black wrought iron.   
  • Pictures and accessories are kept to a minimum, with family photos in metal/antique frames found in most in authentic Tuscan style bedrooms. Artwork will most often consist of botanical prints.
An updated Tuscan bedroom reflects some of the 'liberties' taken to create a more colorful and for some, comfortable, atmosphere. Read more about an updated Tuscan Bedroom

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Cottage Chic Anyone?

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Cottage Chic decorating ideas for your comfortable, casual home. Create a relaxed, welcoming space combining vintage finds with new pieces. It is a style that offers versatility and is easy on the budget!

How do you define this decor? Here’s my take on the style. Think of shabby chic, then remove the crystal and add some bolder color. Next, visualize country cottage taken up a notch or two in style. Keep the overall look clean and uncluttered, and there you have it...Cottage Chic!

How do you create this look? Here are  some  Cottage Chic Ideas for you that will apply to any room or space in your home

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Home Office Color Schemes

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3rd in a series on Home Office

Home office color schemes play an important role in home office design. Select the palette that will work best for your work environment and your home decor.

You’ve worked hard to plan your home office design, putting much thought into the placement, furnishings and equipment. Now it’s time to pull the space together... what about the color scheme?

Sure, you could paint the walls some shade of off-white and be done with it, but there is so much more at stake here. Whether you spend a couple of hours per week or all day, every day, the mood that is set in this space can certainly affect your outlook and productivity.

There are two main considerations when deciding on home office color schemes;
First, you want this space to be consistent with the rest of your home decor. You’ll want to see at least one or two colors in the office that appear in the rest of your home. 

Second, what type of mood do you want to create? When you answer this question, it is going to be affected by how much time you’ll be spending in the office.

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Multi Purpose Dining Room Ideas

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Today, many homes and lifestyles function most effectively with multi purpose dining room designs.
 
While some of us love our traditional dining room decor, that specific purpose space is too confining and underutilized.

So how can you best use the 'dining room' space for your lifestyle?
First, determine what it is that you need in terms of usage for your room. For some, it's home office space. And, you don't necessarily have to 'work from home' to have a legitimate need for office space.

Others may desire a reading or conversation area away from the living room of their home. An area set aside for craft projects is essential for some creative homeowners.


Occasional overnight guests may require sleeping quarters. (Hint: think Daybed!)
And, it may be very helpful for some homeowners to have a small area set aside for casual dining in the 'dining room'.

Whatever may be on your list...read more about setting up your multi purpose dining room here.


'Til next time,
Candi

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