One of my dreams is to renovate (maybe buy) a cheap house in Italy, mostly likely Tuscany. But I’m open to Sicily too. So I’ve been saving properties in Italy that I’ve seen on Instagram and visualising what I’d do with it. So here are my thoughts on how to get the Tuscan look.
Colours used in Tuscan interiors
The thing I’ve noticed in most of the houses I’ve seen for sale is the muted colour palette. Colours like sandy whites and earthy browns including terracotta. The muted colours of the Tuscan interiors contrast with the vivid colours of the Tuscan exterior.
In the Tuscan exterior landscape, you will see vivid greens in the valleys and Cypress trees that line the roads. Luminous sun and gorgeous sunflowers and bright blue skies. So, it makes sense the colours of the interiors offset the external vivid colours but also the heat.
Temperature plays a big role in the Tuscan look. As the materials used including tiles and stone are used to manage intense heat.
Natural materials like timber and terracotta have their own unique untreated colour. These can be a strong colour like dark timber. So both internally and externally you will find a contrast in colour in Tuscan interiors.
Materials used in Tuscan interiors
As mentioned above in a colour context are the materials used to get the Tuscan look. These are mostly natural. Both in the architectural aspect of the interior as well as the furniture and furnishings.
From an architectural aspect the materials are timber. For example, archways and ceilings. Tiles used on flooring or splashback. Stone is also used externally but internally on walls and on floors. As well as iron or metal in staircases for example.
In furnishings you will find linens, cottons and wool. Again, natural materials. But, in some Tuscan interiors you will find heavier or more luxe materials like velvet. Especially, in old, converted palazzos.
The essence of Tuscan interiors
Looking at a few houses for sale in Tuscany recently, I’ve noticed the essence of Tuscan interiors lies in a successful fusion of casual luxe. It’s not Shabby Chic as you’d find in French Provincial interiors, I feel it’s more refined and purposeful.
To get the Tuscan look you can achieve a casual luxe vibe in a Contemporary or Classic interior style direction.
Tuscan interiors manage to blend rustic charm in an elegant cohesive finish. This is reflective, again, of the exterior. Where the Tuscan landscape is also elegant and full of sweeping valleys and rows of trees like olive or Cypress.
Unlike for example the Australian outback which is harsh, the Tuscan landscape is calm and undulating. As such the Tuscan look works with the elements found in the exterior, as they tend to also be elegant, yet natural, rustic, yet symmetrical and balanced.
