Tuscan elements can be part of your decor
Rustic and simple style enhanced with golden tones Casual elegance an ideal antidote to busy urban lives
Tuscany is a promise — of solace, sun and conviviality. Images of sun-kissed rolling hills, terra cotta tiles, cypress trees, vineyards, and earthy al fresco days and nights provide enticement to thousands who journey there each year. Whether you’re a true adventurer or an armchair one, bringing this romantic style home is easier than you think. By its very nature, the decorative style of Tuscany is rustic and simple, owing to its humble origins as an agricultural region. Homes and furnishings are built with local materials such as pine, cherry and maple woods and colours come straight from the land. Anna Sottile, owner of Toronto’s Italy at Home (416-6513042) says: “ The Tuscan home evokes a feeling of being wellloved and well- used, something hardworking Canadians appreciate.” Though born in Toronto, Sottile has also lived in Rome and travels to Italy once a year to visit friends and family and to source new product for her Vaughan Rd. store.
In recent years Sottile has seen a sharp increase in the demand for Tuscan style furnishings, in some measure due to the popularity of movies like Under the Tuscan Sun.
Regardless, she couldn’t be more enthusiastic about its appropriateness here in Toronto, where the casual elegance serves as an ideal antidote to busy urban lives. Below are suggestions on how to create a Tuscan retreat right at home.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
“ Tuscan homes feel warm and welcoming because they’ve come together over time, with pieces added as the need arises,” says Sottile.
Furniture is functional. Family furnishings are handed down from generation to generation and gratefully accepted. Unmatched tables, chairs and sofas are commonplace; there isn’t the North American emphasis on “ matching.”
That’s good news for those who are intimidated by decorating, since it allows for tremendous flexibility.
EMBRACE THE QUIRKS
Rooms may be small with low or sloping ceilings, but homeowners embrace these intimate spaces, quirks and all, by filling them with warm, cozy colours and sturdy furniture. In contrast, we are normally apt to renovate — squaring off and enlarging rooms; a process that occasionally leads to a loss of charm.
CHOOSE EARTHY COLOURS
Mottled uneven colours, faux wall techniques and slightly worn finishes in warm golden tones are all appropriate to Tuscaninspired rooms.
Venetian stucco, a technique that uses a thick compound applied to the wall with a trowel, is a favourite. An authentic colour palette is likely to include earthy ochre, deep gold, sunny yellow, rich brown and warm terra cotta. These neutrals are frequently accented with deep blue, rust and olive green.
CELEBRATE INDIVIDUAL TASTE
By decorating in a romantic fashion — mingling the softest colours and textiles, mixing patterns with abandon and including elements of personal meaning — it’s possible to create a room that celebrates individual taste; something missing from many designer rooms.
FRAGRANT HANGING HERBS
Kitchen and bathroom walls are frequently white- tiled ( smooth or textured) with dark ceilings often made of deep brown timber.
Sturdy open shelving, handpainted chests and freestanding cupboards with chicken wire fronts make up main storage areas.
Natural stone is frequently used for the countertop and even the sinks, which are comwe plemented with rustic hardware.
In the kitchen a large range hood or island is typically the focal point. As well, no Tuscan kitchen is complete without copper pots, tin accents and bunches of fragrant hanging herbs. Don’t forget to include an oversized table for family dining.
TERRA COTTA AND POTTERY
Terra cotta pottery and floor tiles are always welcome additions, creating instant rapport with this Italian destination.
In neutral rooms, the decorative pottery, occasionally with elaborate designs, can act as artwork or be called into faithful service. Many travellers insist on bringing plates, vases and jugs home from their overseas journeys.
FINE LINENS
“ In North America, tablecloths and kitchen towels are practical items. But in Italy, linens are sacred and ever- present,” explains Sottile. Hand-embroidered tablecloths, high quality sheets, bedspreads and linen bath towels are among her most prized possessions.
There are vintage pieces to be found in many Toronto stores; but if you are visiting Europe, buying them at the source, perhaps from a local flea market, is a thrill.
SOURCES
Italy at Home, 421 Vaughan Rd., Toronto. 416- 651- 3042
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. or by appointment.