Enjoy the Colors and Warmth of Tuscany
The first image that comes to mind when thinking of Tuscan design is often the warm wash of golden hues, radiance filtered through an umber haze, and crisp, soft whites that reflect the northern Italian light.
The Tuscan color palette includes a range from soft and cool, balancing and deflecting the summer heat, to warm reds, oranges and yellows that seem to pour straight from the sun and sky.
Choosing paint colors
When choosing paint colors, you first need to be aware of your lighting. Consider exposure (your natural light sources), which will influence your choice of a certain palette. If you are facing south, for instance, you may want a cooler feeling to the room because the room gets too hot. Here's where blues and greens and soft pastels come into play. If you are facing north, go for it, the warmer, the better. You can create this warm and inviting feeling by using golden or terracotta or any "earth"-based wall colors or coverings.
One of the most frequent questions asked is about choosing the "right" paint color to create a Tuscan-style home. One way of doing this is to use a piece of Tuscan art work to define your colors. It is exciting to start with art (a painting, rug, tapestry, textile, ceramic) to determine your Tuscan colors because the artist has already set the mood, chosen the palette and suggested a progression of color, all of which can be translated to your home.
If you have strong colors in existing elements (such as flooring, or pieces of furniture that you have opted to retain for the room), choose wall colors from the palette that will coordinate with these existing elements. Otherwise, your color selection process can be started by deciding upon wall colors.
Color affects us
Color affects our mood. Trust your feelings when choosing your color palette. What colors are you drawn to? Your personality can be expressed through color, whether you want some "punch" in your room or something more soothing. And all of it can be "Tuscan"!
It's just paint!
And remember, when you choose your paint colors, its just paint. It's not really that expensive an investment, if you change your mind.
Many homes have textured plaster walls. Lucky you if you do. This is the Tuscan effect people want to achieve with wall colors or faux finishes. Using a Tuscan color on this kind of wall will achieve the Tuscan style quite easily.
Be bold - Be creative
However you proceed, either a paint treatment, a texturizing treatment, or a wall covering, remember that color is key to achieving a Tuscan style. So be bold - take a chance. Add richness and warmth to your home. Play with paint color and finishes, wall coverings, fabric and textiles. Create a little bit of Tuscany in your home.
Copyright 2008. Excerpt from Decorating in the Tuscan Style, the 162-page eBook packed with tips and techniques (and lots of photos) to help you transform your home and garden into the heart and soul of Tuscany. To learn more about Tuscan decor, visit http://www.intheTuscanstyle.com.
The Tuscan color palette includes a range from soft and cool, balancing and deflecting the summer heat, to warm reds, oranges and yellows that seem to pour straight from the sun and sky.
Choosing paint colors
When choosing paint colors, you first need to be aware of your lighting. Consider exposure (your natural light sources), which will influence your choice of a certain palette. If you are facing south, for instance, you may want a cooler feeling to the room because the room gets too hot. Here's where blues and greens and soft pastels come into play. If you are facing north, go for it, the warmer, the better. You can create this warm and inviting feeling by using golden or terracotta or any "earth"-based wall colors or coverings.
One of the most frequent questions asked is about choosing the "right" paint color to create a Tuscan-style home. One way of doing this is to use a piece of Tuscan art work to define your colors. It is exciting to start with art (a painting, rug, tapestry, textile, ceramic) to determine your Tuscan colors because the artist has already set the mood, chosen the palette and suggested a progression of color, all of which can be translated to your home.
If you have strong colors in existing elements (such as flooring, or pieces of furniture that you have opted to retain for the room), choose wall colors from the palette that will coordinate with these existing elements. Otherwise, your color selection process can be started by deciding upon wall colors.
Color affects us
Color affects our mood. Trust your feelings when choosing your color palette. What colors are you drawn to? Your personality can be expressed through color, whether you want some "punch" in your room or something more soothing. And all of it can be "Tuscan"!
It's just paint!
And remember, when you choose your paint colors, its just paint. It's not really that expensive an investment, if you change your mind.
Many homes have textured plaster walls. Lucky you if you do. This is the Tuscan effect people want to achieve with wall colors or faux finishes. Using a Tuscan color on this kind of wall will achieve the Tuscan style quite easily.
Be bold - Be creative
However you proceed, either a paint treatment, a texturizing treatment, or a wall covering, remember that color is key to achieving a Tuscan style. So be bold - take a chance. Add richness and warmth to your home. Play with paint color and finishes, wall coverings, fabric and textiles. Create a little bit of Tuscany in your home.
Copyright 2008. Excerpt from Decorating in the Tuscan Style, the 162-page eBook packed with tips and techniques (and lots of photos) to help you transform your home and garden into the heart and soul of Tuscany. To learn more about Tuscan decor, visit http://www.intheTuscanstyle.com.
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