EXPERT ADVICE

Three of her favourite colour combinations for a Tuscan look include: grey, mustard and deep purple; burnt-orange and blue; and neutral or white, says Lise van Rensburg, an interior decorator from Pretty Up in Pretoria. And a few basic design principles will instantly create a Tuscan aesthetic...

• Create an accent wall in natural stone cladding or stucco, or with a paint technique such as colourwashing to obtain depth and dimension. Walls can also be whitewashed to mimic the look of distressed plaster.

• If you prefer a more contemporary look, use neutral paint colours such as grey or greige and simply add shades from the orange and purple palettes for accessories such as scatters and throws or even an occasional chair. This isn’t as overpowering and it’s just as beautiful. Tanned leather adds depth and a lovely worn texture. Keep it fresh with pops of white and blue accessories to balance the warmth of the leather.

• If you prefer a totally neutral or subtle look, go for off-white and add loads of textures such as marble, pure linen, linen sheers for curtains, chunky knits, whitewashed earthenware, natural fibre rugs such as seagrass, jute and sisal – all of which will freshen up your look but keep the actual colour bursts to a minimum. CONTACT 083 290 6530