A plaster wall with brick showing is a popular Tuscan style.
Tuscan kitchen designs reflect all of the warmth, romance and joy found in northern Italy's Tuscany region. The style is extremely popular for the old-world charm and earthy colors it provides. Natural materials, such as stone and wood, are common in Tuscan style, as are artistic tile creations. However, the kitchen design must encourage a celebration of food and family to have a truly Tuscan touch. Does this Spark an idea?
Cabinets and Counters
Wood cabinets are a vital part of any Tuscan kitchen design. Medium to dark wood cabinetry, with or without hand-carved details, is the most popular choice for Tuscan kitchens. However, bleached wood and painted wood are also suitable choices. Popular countertop choices include assorted tiles, stones or wood.
Dark cherry-colored wood cabinets with hand carved vine trim around each door provide a traditional Tuscan style. Small, round, copper-colored cabinet door and drawer knobs add an old-world accent. Polished, white-flecked, gold granite countertops provide a sense of warmth and complement the cabinet knobs. A matching backsplash with a thin trim of glazed terra cotta tile on top provides an earthy, yet clean, accent.
Floors and Walls
Rustic floors and walls create an ideal background for the many decorative accents in Tuscan kitchen designs. However, rustic does not have to mean boring. Although plain white plaster walls are popular, Venetian plaster, natural stone, red brick, painted brick and light wood walls are also common. Popular floors include any type of natural wood or stone. Terra cotta tile, colorful tile and mosaic tiles are also popular for floors, lower walls and wainscots.
Large, square, dark gold tiles on the floor provide a warm glow to the kitchen. White plaster walls with random chunks missing to reveal red brick add an old-world touch. Dark cherry-colored wood moldings along the top and bottom of the wall keep the style sharp and complement the hints of red brick. A tile mural consisting of a fruit and vegetable filled basket on the wall behind the sink adds a splash of color to the room.
Table and Chairs
An eating area in the kitchen is another important part of Tuscan design. The welcoming atmosphere provided by a table and chairs turns the room into a place to gather and enjoy food instead of just a place to prepare food. Any old-fashioned, large, wooden table is a suitable choice.
A large, round, worn, dark honey-colored wood dining table provides enough room for a large family to sit down to dinner. Carved table legs with lion claw feet and vine trim around the sides of the tabletop add an artistic accent. Large wood chairs with hand-carved vine-trimmed backs and legs provide comfortable seating with an old world flair.
Decorations
Tuscan kitchen decorations largely consist of food-related items. Dried garlic garlands can decorate the top of each window and baskets of fruit or vegetables can decorate counters. Hanging copper pots and pans can decorate the walls, and hand-painted plates and bowls can decorate shelves, tables or counters.
Tags: Tuscan kitchen, Tuscan style, cherry-colored wood, cotta tile, Dark cherry-colored
